Worried...

Wow! You have been placed in a very bad position. I graduated last May and have been working in a hospital. There have been ups and downs to be sure, but I've never been told anything I felt might put my license in jeopardy. I would try to find out if the problem is just your preceptor or the organization as a whole. Since she is so open about it, I suspect it is the organization. I don't know what she is telling you to do differently when the state is around but I personally would not cut corners that could place my license in jeopardy. I would do things correctly every time, not just when the state shows up. It's the only right thing to do. Unfortunately, you might have to find a new job. I would certainly do that over compromising my ethics and risk losing everything you worked so hard to obtain.

OUCH! This is a major problem in all areas of nursing facilities. My recommendation is to always do the "right" thing. Ultimately, your license will be on the line regardless if state is there or not. If something goes wrong and you did not follow the ANA and your state's standards of care, you are liable for your actions. I have always worked hard to do things the right way and am often frightened to see that other nurses do not take the same care. As a new employee and new nurse it is hard to take the initiative, but I would take this up with your supervisor. You may not be popular down the line with the other nurse(s), but you can hold your head up that you are doing the right thing for your patients, the facility, and yourself!

You and the facility will get "in trouble" if you screw up while the state is there. I understand what your preceptor is saying, but it's not a good way to train someone. Honestly, I don't think there's a nurse out there who can HONESTLY say they never take a short cut. But when you are being watched you have to do it like school, perfectly. You know what's right and wrong. Always do the right thing and you never have to worry. If someone says anything to you about being slow or doing it their way say you aren't comfortable taking short cuts.

Make sure you perform skills according to policy. If your facility does not provide an environment that let's you perform safe, correct procedures, then you are being set up for failure.

Do it the right way every time and you won't have to worry when the state comes in.

Thanks everyone!

Hello everyone,

I am a new RN who is still in her first week of orientation at a Rehab/Skilled nursing facility. Everything has been going ok so far except every other statement my trainer makes is "this is how we do it here but if state is here do it like this". She mentions that all day long. So now I'm panicking. So to my nurses that know more about this than me....can a nurse get in trouble if she does something wrong when state is in or is it only the facility that can get written up?? Im confused about this....thanks for any info!

I am sorry but this is not good nursing practice! All you can do is listen to your preceptor, sometimes we have to put the our courage aside when we are new ! However, when she says "we usually do it like this but when state visit you must do it this way" I would focus on learning how the state wants you to practice!!!!! Personally I would follow the policy for Everything! If you do everything properly you don't have to panic about losing your license !