When I am in a procedure room with an anesthesiologist, a gastroenterologist and a certified endoscopy technician, whose license is the technician "working under"?
Question - Dear Nancy, I am an RN working in a hospital endoscopy unit. When I am in a procedure room..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Marcus, It is difficult to respond specifically to your question because it has so few details, so only a few general comments can be made. The first is that no one "practice... read more

What happens if a dialysis nurse takes my patient off the med/surg floor without my knowledge or consent, begins his treatment and this patient has a complication - who is responsible?
Question - Dear Nancy, What happens if a dialysis nurse takes my patient off the med/surg floor witho..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Kendra, When you handoff a patient to another nurse and service, it is essential that the handoff information be complete, informative and up-to-date, so the patient is not p... read more

I was terminated for allegedly giving medication without an order. I feel it was the ambiguity of a computer program and inadequate instruction on the program that caused the supposed error. What should I do?
Question - Dear Nancy, I was terminated for allegedly giving medication without an order. I argued th..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Rob, Unfortunately, this situation is a difficult one, especially because it involves a controlled substance. It is understandable that inadequate orientation to a new comput... read more

Is it within the scope of practice in any state for a hospice nurse to transport narcotics from a pharmacy to a patient's home?
Question - Dear Nancy, Is it within the scope of practice in any state for a hospice nurse to transpo..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Terralyn, As you know, the regulation of controlled substances, including how they are stored, is governed by several federal laws, including the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act ... read more

Do you know of any organizations that are sympathetic to hiring people with disabilities?
Question - Dear Nancy, I have a motor disability, which causes chronic pain. I need information about..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Calandra, Your situation is unfortunate and must be very frustrating, especially since you have tried so hard to find a position that you can do, despite your disability. You... read more

From a legal aspect, could our agency or an RN have problems if the exact dosing and frequency of medication is not included in the clinical notes?
Question - Dear Nancy, I am an intake RN at a home health agency and I receive various orders from ph..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Kaelyn, From a legal perspective, the more detailed a nurse's note, the better. Although this general rule of thumb does sometimes result in repetitive documentation, it may ... read more

I think I was let go from my position at a hemodialysis center because I pointed out errors in patient care. What can I do about it?
Question - Dear Nancy, Shortly after beginning a new job at a hemodialysis center, I noticed while au..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Julia, You need to contact a nurse attorney or attorney in your state who works in employment law and who can analyze your termination in light of your bringing the issue des... read more

I was not hired by a facility because my supervisor told some very unfavorable lies about me. Can a nurse sue a hospital?
Question - Dear Nancy, I was not hired by a facility because my supervisor told some very unfavorable..
Nancy Brent replies- Dear Sam, Any individual, including a nurse, can sue an individual employee and the hospital for defamation. Even those who have repeated the defamatory statements can also be inc... read more