N-NF-II-125 Chapter Notes -Whistleblower, Endangerment
5 Nov 2022
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Nurses may need to report nursing colleagues or other health professionals for practices that endanger the health and safety of clients. For instance, alcohol and drug use, theft from a client or agency, and unsafe nursing practice should be reported. The person reporting may feel disloyal, incur the disapproval of others, or perceive that chances for promotion are endangered. When reporting an incident or series of incidents, the nurse must be careful to describe observed behaviour only and not make inferences as to what might be happening. The accompanying practice guidelines can be used for reporting a crime, tort, or unsafe practice. Reporting these events is referred to as whistle-blowing. Many states have laws that prevent wrongful termination of whistle-blowers by employers. In some states, it is mandatory for a nurse with knowledge of unprofessional conduct to report that behaviour to the state board of nursing.
