Working with a neglecting nurse

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Specializes in LTC/MDS.

So I started working at a new LTC facility in Feb (2013). It is a 60 bed skilled unit. There are 2 nurses on at a time, and at night we have 3 CNAs (when we're fully staffed). Anyways, the nurse that I worked with up until last last week was just awful! She would not finish her HS Med pass till around midnight, disappeared for hours at a time, and CONSTANTLY slept. I have taken all of the issues up with management several times and they haven't done a thing! One night a pt asked for pain meds. She got up and took a smoke break and then fell back asleep at the NS. I turned her in for neglect, it was unfounded basically bc it was my word against hers. I could go ON and ON and you would be appalled but I won't. My question is, if management won't do anything, can I turn her into state board? They FINALLY took her off my shift but I followed her the other day and found where she gave a double dose of ativan to a pt not once but TWICE. She is dangerous!! I'm at a loss. I feel bad for the pt when they're under her care.

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Specializes in Public Health, L&D, NICU.

Since it's a LTC, could you call your state ombudsman? I'm not sure about how that works. If you really feel that she is a danger, couldn't you be obligated to report it to the board? In my state, I'm obligated to report such things. As for your word against hers, a cellphone video could solve that.

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Specializes in LTC/MDS.
Since it's a LTC, could you call your state ombudsman? I'm not sure about how that works. If you really feel that she is a danger, couldn't you be obligated to report it to the board? In my state, I'm obligated to report such things. As for your word against hers, a cellphone video could solve that.

I do have tons of pics and I finally did a video after I was told pics could be altered.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I do have tons of pics and I finally did a video after I was told pics could be altered.

Some places don't allow pics and videos in LTC in pat care areas, so you may be the one out the door.

If she signed out a double does of Ativan, did you write it up as a med error??? Document, document, document.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I think your facility has made it clear they are going to do nothing about her. The more you pursue her the more likely it will be that you will be the one to go. You can turn in an anonymous complaint against her license ....there are links on every BON site that says file a complaint. Some states have mandates in the nurse practice acts that mandate that a nurse report co-workers/nurses they know are neglectful/unsafe. Be prepared however for retaliation and if you do do this...I would keep it off social media.

IN the state of Arizona......

7. Is a failure to report those who may be a risk to the public a violation of the Nurse Practice Act? Yes. In addition to the mandatory reporting law, A.R.S. 32-1664(B) and 32-1601(18) (k), failure to report a nurse or certificate holder who may be a risk to patient/public safety is a violation of the nurse practice act. Per A.A.C. R4-19-403 (10 and 11)

A.A.C. R4-19-403 “For the purposes of A.R.S. 32-1601 (18) (d), a practice that is or might be harmful of dangerous to the health of a patient or the public includes the following:

10) Failing to take action in a health care setting to protect a patient whose safety or welfare is at risk from incompetent health care practice, or to report such practice to employment or licensing authorities;

11) Failing to report to the Board a licensed nurse whose work history includes conduct, or pattern of conduct, that leads to or may lead to an adverse patient outcome;”

https://www.azbn.gov/DisciplineFaqs.aspx#3
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Specializes in Public Health, L&D, NICU.
Some places don't allow pics and videos in LTC in pat care areas, so you may be the one out the door.

If she signed out a double does of Ativan, did you write it up as a med error??? Document, document, document.

I should have made my post clearer. I'm thinking maybe a tight shot of her sleeping at the desk, with no identifiers anywhere.

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Specializes in LTC/MDS.
I should have made my post clearer. I'm thinking maybe a tight shot of her sleeping at the desk, with no identifiers anywhere.

I've made sure none of the pics have identifiers! And yes, I reported the Med error.

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Specializes in Pain, critical care, administration, med.

Sounds like perhaps their may be a possible addiction issue.

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