Our ED director wants us to start treatment on patients in the waiting room before a room is available. Legally, is this a good idea?
Question - Dear Nancy, Our ED director wants us to start treatment on patients in the waiting room be..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Tim, Providing care to any patient in an open public place is probably not the best idea under normal circumstances. However, with certain protections in place, it may be pos... read more

A nurse began choking and was not offered any assistance by the charge nurse who was right there. Does she have any recourse in this situation?
Question - Dear Nancy, I have a close friend who I used to work with at an assisted living facility. ..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Briana, The situation you describe is quite disconcerting generally and specifically the conduct of the nurse who was with your friend when she was choking. However, be that ... read more

At my facility when a nurse forgets to sign something with her full name and just uses initials, we are told to fill it in. Is this legal?
Question - Dear Nancy, I am a staff RN. At my facility when a nurse forgets to sign something with he..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Carolyn, Any time one signs another's name on a legal document, with his or her consent, including any form in the medical record, and then adds his or her name after a slash... read more

I found out a nurse I worked with smokes marijuana before coming to work and is possibly a danger to patients. What should I do?
Question - Dear Nancy, I found out a nurse I worked with in an NICU unit smokes marijuana before comi..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Taylor, When a nurse becomes aware of a fellow staff member who may be at risk for injuring a patient, including those who come to work under the influence, the nurse is boun... read more

I am considering a health law master's program or maybe a legal nurse consulting certification. What jobs would I be qualified for after completion?
Question - Dear Nancy, I've been a nurse for 25 years. I'm trying to determine the right career chang..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Darla, Your best source of information is to check with the health law masters' program you are considering in order to determine where the graduates of their program are bei... read more

I feel I am a victim of lateral violence. I feel the hostility of the work environment has become intentional to force me to resign. Do I have any legal recourse?
Question - Dear Nancy, I feel I am a victim of lateral violence. My supervisor did not speak to me fo..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Dana, In order to see exactly what options you have in this right-to-work state, you will need to consult with a nurse attorney or attorney in your state who can advise you o... read more

I'm having trouble with a hospital's hiring practices and would like to know if what they are doing is legal.
Question - Dear Nancy, I work per diem in a small specialty hospital and was offered a position in a ..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Carrie Anne, Your decision not to work for the described hospital sounds like a good one. It appears the hospital is just using nurses for a short period of time, consistent ... read more

Where can I find evidence-based practice data to support not using other patients' names in medical records?
Question - Dear Nancy, I work in psychiatric nursing and when describing conflict between one patient..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Neil, There is a resource that might help you find evidence-based practice on the issue of using or not using other patients' names in nursing documentation. The Evidence-Bas... read more