Even if the policy is no punishment if filled out properly, can error reports someday be harmful to my career?
Question - Dear Nancy, No matter how small the error, our company requires that we fill out medicatio..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Fabia, Your description of the "medication error reports" sounds like incident/occurrence reports that have been in existence for a long, long time. Incident/occurrence repor... read more

Can a director of nursing at a home healthcare agency be charged with patient abandonment if they resign on the spot?
Question - Dear Nancy, Can a director of nursing at a home healthcare agency be charged with patient ..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Michelle, What constitutes patient abandonment in your state is probably reviewable by reading your nurse practice act and its rules. Many nurse practice acts specifically de... read more

Are RNs allowed to pronounce a patient deceased or must it be a physician or emergency personnel?
Question - Dear Nancy, My sister's father-in-law died at home. The hospice nurse was called at 10 a.m..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Leslie, It is difficult to understand why the hospice nurse could not come for four to five hours after the call informing them of the death of one of their patients. However... read more

What is the best approach when revealing past criminal charges to the board and how will they affect my RN license?
Question - Dear Nancy, I am an RN, and in 2010 I was charged with driving under the influence twice. ..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Ginger, Your best approach to your situation is to seek specific advice from a nurse attorney or attorney in your state who you can help you with presenting this matter to th... read more

Are there any legal issues I should consider, besides making sure I have liability insurance, if I want to start an LLC?
Question - Dear Nancy, I am an RN with a BSN and am interested in starting a limited liability compan..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Robin, Your business idea is an interesting one. In addition to liability insurance, there are more legal issues to be concerned about. The first is whether a limited liabili... read more

I was written up for falsification of medical records, but I'm not sure what I did was a violation. Can you advise?
Question - Dear Nancy, I was written up for falsification of medical records. I pulled lactated ringe..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Corrine, There are several issues presented in your question. The first, of course, is the one you raise concerning the falsification of the medical record - the IV bag that ... read more

Someone forged my name and nursing credentials on a school physical immunization form. Should I take action?
Question - Dear Nancy, I was informed that someone forged my name and nursing credentials on a school..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Rachel, You did not indicate how you found out that someone forged your name and credentials on a physical immunization form, but this information is something you cannot ign... read more

Our staff RNs work 12-hour shifts with no relief nurse.When we cover for each other, is that violating state law for patient-to-nurse ratio and is it safe?
Question - Dear Nancy, I'm employed in a hospital on the med/surg telemetry unit and assigned four to..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Margaret, You can check what your state says about nurse-to-patient ratios by going to your state legislative website and putting "nurse patient ratio law" in the search bar.... read more