The hospital nurse supervisor has concerns that a staff nurse is no longer capable of competent patient care because of alcohol use. Repeated counseling sessions with the nurse have not changed the behaviors that are of concern. What action should be taken by the supervisor?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rationale 1: Of the options provided, the one most protective of public safety is to report concerns to the state board of nursing.
Rationale 2: Simply terminating employment does not address the problem at the nurse's level and does not guarantee that the nurse will not have similar issues at the next place of employment.
Rationale 3: Transfer of the nurse to a non-patient care position is only a temporary solution and does not address the safety issues. Nurses can make errors that impact the public, even in non-patient care roles.
Rationale 4: Ignoring the problem for fear of suit will not make the problem go away.

The Hospital Nurse Supervisor Has Concerns That a Staff Nurse