What is unprofessional conduct for nurses? Do you know how your state Nurse Practice Act (NPA) and state Board of Nursing regulations define unprofessional conduct or misconduct? You should.
In my experience, I have found the majority of unprofessional conduct from nurses in the workplace stems from dsyfunctional and unhealthy work environments. This happens when unhealthy and borderline conduct is tolerated over a period of months or years until The INCIDENT happens. This INCIDENT is allegedly so offensive and degrading that the nurse(s) may be terminated and reported to the state board of nursing or other regulatory agencies for a variety of alleged offenses.
The bottom line is to keep it professional in the workplace. I am all for making work wonderful and having fun in the workplace, but there are boundaries.
How do you draw the line between joking and playful behavior in the workplace and unprofessional conduct. Please keep in mind that what is considered "normal behavior" on a particular unit, floor, wing, or setting may not be the norm for professional nursing.
There will always be nurses who press the boundaries of normal behavior and conduct in the workplace because there will always be the "the good, the bad, and the ugly" behaving in every occupation and profession. However, you don't have to be that individual.
You are a professional, so keep it professional in the workplace, please. Tell me, are you working in an unhealthy and dysfunctional environment?
Thank you for your post. I agree with you that unprofessional behavior in the nursing workplace is common unfortunately and its not until "someone goes to far" that this practice is reviewed. I have several current cases in my law practice where joking behavior and pranks "went to far."
Posted by: Latonia | February 08, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Go to ALLNURSES.COM then search for WHOA..INAPPROPRIATE
Then go to allnurses.com Under general dis. LOOK AT LACK OF MALE PATIENT PRIVACY. All nurses are unprofessional!
Posted by: JAMES | February 08, 2008 at 02:10 AM
I agree with you. Nurses as licensed healthcare professionals need to be aware of our legal rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
Posted by: LaTonia | January 29, 2008 at 05:09 PM
I am an LVN and an RN slandered my character and name as not being a "real nurse". The RN told the patient untrue information about me and my license as a nurse. I know that we all as nurses have learned about legal and ethical isssues and deformation of a person's character and name.
Posted by: Shana Phea | January 29, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Florida Nurse,
Unfortunately your plight is becoming more common in nursing, especially in hospitals. Whenever you are practicing in an unhealthy and toxic environment, its risky. Are you willing to assume the risks? If not, consider finding employment elsewhere. As a nurse, you have lots of employment options and you should consider exercising those options.
Posted by: LaTonia | September 22, 2007 at 10:01 AM
I am working in a very dysfunctional and unhealthy environment in FL. A colleague of mine whom has been practicing in critical care for 20 + years and is a CCRN was just suspended for an accusation of unprofessional conduct and drug diversion. Now I hear that a nurse in FL has NO rights if working for a non-union hospital and that even the suspicion of drugs or bad behavior that is not outright proven can get a RN infront of the nursing board. What can you do when this is a right to work state?
Posted by: Florida Nurse | September 21, 2007 at 07:17 PM