When to Write Other Nurses Up

"Lateral violence" can be loosely defined as taking out your frustrations on coworkers 'cause that's the safest way to do it.  Lateral violence is not as common as it used to be, thank god. 

Sometimes new nurses ask me if they should "write up" another nurse.  Here's what I tell them:

Some things should be written up.  But what?  It can be hard to know.  If you follow a nurse and the IV tubing is unlabeled, should you "write it up"?  What if the patient doesn't have their SCD's on?  What if Zosyn was hung but the tubing was clamped so the dose didn't run in?

Should you fill out an INCIDENT REPORT?  Should you have your nurse manager paged overhead?  Should you contact the hospital CEO?

Maybe.

But, before you do any of that, ask yourself:  "Am I prepared to have this person as an enemy for the rest of my life?" 

Because THAT NURSE WILL BE YOUR ENEMY.  Make no mistake about that.  We are not creatures of logic; we are creatures of emotion.  A nurse who writes up a coworker had better be ready to never make any mistakes, because no mercy will be shown.

You can work with that other nurse for the next 43 years, and she will STILL remember it.

Label the tubing.  Put the SCD's on.  Release the clamp and let the Zosyn run in.  The next time you see that nurse, mention these omissions in a kind, instructive manner.  Make it a learning experience.

This is a 24 hour job.