Have you ever been in a situation in which a co-worker put a patient in jeopardy? If so, how did you handle it?
If you have ever been faced with a situation that resulted in you having to make a judgment call that may have affected the job of a friend or co-worker, you know how disheartening it can be. However, nurses are bound by law to protect patients and co-workers by reporting anything inappropriate or dangerous. The interviewer wants to know that you are capable of identifying and reporting a situation if needed.
"I have experienced a time that I had to report a co-worker to my supervisor. One of my peers had a diabetic patient who had an insulin order per sliding scale. The nurse gave insulin to the patient without checking his blood sugar level first. She told me and asked me not to tell anyone. However, I knew that patient safety is the responsibility of everyone. So, I did notify the supervisor."
"I have never been in a situation that required me to report a co-worker. Honestly, I hope I never experience a situation like that."
"When I worked at a long-term care facility, one of my co-workers was using a lift to transfer a patient. He did not have the belt fastened correctly, and the patient slipped onto the floor. This was an accident that could have been prevented. I had to write an incident report and turn the situation over to a supervisor."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
I have never had to report a co-worker. But if something was being done that was unsafe and put the patient's life in jeopardy I would definitely approach that coworker as well as go through the proper channels to make sure it was rectified and never happened again. For example, PSLS reporting.
Cindy's Feedback
Good! It's an excellent strategy to answer this type of question hypothetically if you don't have an example to share. To enhance your answer, explain why PSLS reporting is, why you would be bound to use it under these circumstances, and how you would use it. It's a good opportunity to show your knowledge of this important topic.
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