If you’ve read some of the horror stories on Nurses losing their license, you’ll be right to wonder what they were doing in Nursing in the first place.
Here we look at 5 sure-fire ways, you’ll surely be fired:
1. Taking pictures of patients.
This one should come without a doubt, but snapping pictures of patients is a no no. In recent news, a woman handed over her license after being discovered taking pictures of a patients genitalia while he lay unconscious. Kristen Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor disseminating of unlawful surveillance photos, and in a plea deal handed over her license. Now of course this seems unfathomable, but if it feels wrong, it probably is. Again – DO NOT TAKE PICTURES OF PATIENTS.
2. Druggin’ on the job.
Ever seen Nurse Jackie? Of course you have. Recovery programs exists specifically just for Nurses who are recovering addicts. Unfortunately, it’s all to easy to be prescribed Vicodin for that neck ache. Then more, then more, then more – until suddenly you’ve found yourself addicted and losing your license.
In other scenarios, dishing out the drugs to friends or colleagues can also land you in hot water. It goes without saying, don’t be tempted by temptation. You get it!
3. Too tired to type!
Ever been exhausted from the 12 hour shift? Of course you have. Ever been too tired to complete that patient record? Little slip ups like this can have your license revoked. While these might seem like little nothings to you, this could have serious implications on your patient also. Falsifying patient records (and this means not filling them in) have serious consequences and lead to bad repeat behavior. Take time to take a breath and write things down properly. And for goodness sake, if you dished out a few extra painkillers – JOT. IT. DOWN.
4. Professionalism
You’re exhausted, tired and crabby. That call light has been flashing for the past 8 hours and it’s the same patient asking you to find their jacket. Whilst this seems like a minor one, it’s been known for Nurses to lose their license for talking to a patient in a non professional manor. Or should we say, cursing at one will.
Always keep cool, calm and collected. Be polite, yet candid. If you need to take 10 seconds to breathe, get to the restroom stat, take a breath and get back to it. You’ve got this!
5. False License
If you’re already there and you’ve lost your license, or at least had it suspended, then the temptation to forge a new one until your suspension is up might be creeping into your mind. While we rarely see this one, it’s a problem that does crop up. Is falsifying a license worth never being able to work again? Forge one and find out – unfortunately you’ll never work in Nursing again.
In summary, slip ups happen. You forgot to bring the patient their tylenol. You lost your cool with a drunk person thinking they’re priority over the car accident victim. All in all, keep your head strong and remind yourself why you became a Nurse in the first place.
Integrity, Professionalism and Caring with Honesty.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
This article was republished with permission from SCRUBS Magazine.