What not to do as a nurse, anniversary edition

Yes, I got the latest State Board of Nursing (BON) newsletter here in RehabLand, and it's never a dull moment. It's the anniversary edition because I found this sad anniversary from the NFL today. I'm not a big football fan, but I've worked with many patients like him.

Here are a few things to remember NOT to do as a nurse. Happy Graduation to the all the August grads!

1. Make sure your documentation is complete. 
An advanced practice nurse was reported anonymously for regular and consistent documentation issues. He/she should have known better.

2. Don't come to work stoned/high on meth/drunk/sleepy.
It should be obvious, but too many people were listed in this issue for the above reasons. And as one person told the investigator, it really isn't "joyfully ironic" that you tested positive for two substances, either.

3. Know your basics about diabetes.
A school nurse was pulled out of a meeting to attend to a student with a blood sugar of 590 who was acting goofy. Student gets progressively worse. Does our school nurse dial 911? Of course not. He/she just called the parent, hung out, asked someone else to give the kid insulin.

Thankfully, a school administrator, without a license, but with a clue called 911. The nurse said he/she waited to call 911 because he/she was "confident" that the student would be okay. The kid was, eventually.

I'm so happy he/she doesn't work at Bubba's school.

4.  Know the protocols in your state for IV push medications.
Here in RehabLand, it's defined by a state statute, which clearly says no to graduate nurses and LPNs except in life-threatening emergencies.

Guess what this wasn't? An emergency. And it wasn't the first time, either. (Your drug dispensing units keep really good records for narcs, kids).

5. Don't threaten your coworkers or other staff at your facility.
If you run out of leave, then threaten HR, your nurse manager and a couple of other staff nurses, they may not take you back. Said RN wanted to "find a cure for HIV" and "didn't want innocent people to get hurt."

Thankfully, the court issued restraining orders to keep said RN off medical center property AND the BON revoked his/her license.

That's all for now, folks. Enjoy your day wherever you are until our next installment.