Q:
I am a floor nurse and have a concern about a coworker’s practices at work. When I am on the medication cart that she normally works, I find many medications that still have blisters packs that are full, and unopened inhalers, eye drops, etc. She and I are friends outside of work and I have mentioned this to her, but she tells me not to worry about it. What should I do?
A:
Webster’s Dictionary defines Ethics as a set of moral issues or aspects (such as rightness) or the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation. Simply put: ethics means doing the right thing even when nobody is watching.
In this situation, you are obligated to report your concerns immediately to your nursing supervisor, DON, Administrator, or Compliance Officer. The fact that she is your friend outside of work may make this a difficult decision, but there is the potential for a negative impact to the residents, and you have a duty to report your observations.