Things not to do as a nurse, February edition

Yes, the fun never stops in RehabLand. Days ago, the State Board sends out renewal notices and today, they send out their regular newsletter.

Guess it's a reminder to answer those questions correctly.

We have plenty of our regulars: lapsed licenses and drug testing abuses. Here's the ones from this edition that you really need to put on your "DO NOT" list, students (and any other RNs for that matter...).

1. Do not attempt to substitute blue mouthwash.
Yes, we all know that certain forms of morphine smell just like some of the mouthwashes on the market, but stealing pain meds from terminally ill patients, is, was, and ever shall be unforgivable.

It will also cost you your license (there were actually two mouthwash switchers in this edition from RehabLand State Board of Nursing).

2. Don't go to a party, get wasted, then trespass.
This is also a problem, especially when you are convicted.

3. Do not share your Pyxis/Omnicell/drug dispenser password.
One person lost his/her license for this (and diverting narcs), but my question is, what happened to the idiot who shared the password?

Here at the Hotel, you would be fired for violating the information security policy.

Speaking of policies...follow them.

4. Don't assess the patient after a violent incident involving security.
This nurse was reprimanded for leaving that lil' old task to someone else. If your facility states you will assess following any altercations you must.

Besides, it's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Remember: you're considered in a position of power.

5. Don't just "borrow" a retiring physician's prescription pad.
When you are from a little town, people talk. And those pharmacists are smart. Hence the reason why they didn't fill any of your prescriptions.

And finally, my personal favorite:

6. Don't go offroading in the company car.
This applies to anyone really, not just nurses, unless of course your company car is an off-road vehicle and/or your job demands it.

Home health RN was out on his/her regular route seeing patients when he/she ran off road and damaged the axel of the car, requiring towing. Luckily, no one was hurt, but since this is a recordable incident while on duty, HHRN was required to submit to a drug screen.

As you may have guessed, he/she flunked (positive for marijuana). Remember kids, buzzed driving, driving while high (or getting high during working hours) is really NOT a good thing.

Just in time for the holidays...

Ah, it is always an interesting time reading the RehabLand Board of Nursing newsletter. So here's today's edition of what not to do as a nurse.

Don't say those licensing people forget the holidays...be careful out there!

Things not to do as a nurse: the holiday edition.

1. Don't sleep on the job. 
Yes, that nicely made bed looks comfy, but if you forget to wake up, you have a problem. NOTE: some facilities do let you take power naps, but remember, you are PAID to come to WORK (notice the items in caps).

There are some expectations that come with that.

2. Forget to pay your income taxes.
Here in RehabLand, the Department of Take it all Revenue can report you if you don't and you can lose your license. According to the numbers, almost 25% of nurses lost their license last year due to tax issues.

3. Don't force someone to do something they refuse to consent to do, like take a bath.
Do the words assault and battery mean anything to you? I knew they did.  Patient says no, you document to CYA.

4. Drive while intoxicated.
They shouldn't have to tell you "when to say when" if you are a health care provider. But if you tend to be indulgent, get someone else to drive.

5. Fail to monitor a patient and act accordingly.
The example used in RehabLand's newsletter was disgusting. An RN (old one at that--we can tell by their license numbers) flat out did NOTHING for a patient who became sick in the morning. Let him/her throw up, wait until nights when said patient drops the phone, while satting at 82%  (normally 100% person on room air) and passes out.

The night nurse had to call EMS to take this person to the ER.

And finally the topper of this edition:

6. Don't let residents who are supposed to be on the unit (per orders) out.
Another old RN decided to go on a smoke break and six (not one two or three...) residents who were confined indoors got out of the facility. One, Z., was gone for so long that he/she did not get scheduled insulin, had glucose issues, passed out and fell out of his/her wheelchair.

Old RN left Z on the ground, got the other 5 back into the building, hoisted Z back into a chair and told a CNA to take Z to his/her room. No assessment, no documentation, no nothing.

Z sustained a head injury, which was later diagnosed when Z started having other issues.

Not just for travelers

I saw this article recently in one of my e-mails. As one other article mentioned, there are a lot of myths out there (some perpetrated by well-meaning and not-so-well-meaning folks).

One of the biggest issues is that you may need legal representation, regardless of whether you are sued by a patient or not. If you are investigated by your State Board of Nursing (SBON), your license could be in jeopardy.

Another reason: if you volunteer and use your nursing skills, your employer's malpractice may not cover you in the event something goes wrong because you are not at work.

Many malpractice policies can help you to pay for your defense (as most employers do not cover that). Losing your license often means losing your job. Losing your job means losing your income.

Happily, this can be remedied. Check out a malpractice policy of your own. NOTE: some specialties are more expensive to insure than others, but this may vary by carrier.

If you need a nurse attorney, see one of these fine nurse attorneys (if you are in their states) or contact a firm and ask them if they have nurse attorneys who handle cases before your SBON.

Taralynn Mackay
LaTonia Denise Wright

As always, when in doubt, check it out. Your career (and livelihood) may depend on it.