You see a fellow nurse placing an opioid medication in their pocket rather than administering it as ordered. What would you do NEXT?

The situation described involves a nurse behaving inappropriately by not administering an opioid medication as ordered and instead placing it in their pocket. This raises serious concerns regarding patient safety, ethical standards, and potential legal implications.

The most appropriate course of action in this case is to inform your immediate supervisor. Reporting the incident to a supervisor ensures that the situation is escalated to someone who has the authority to investigate the issue further and take necessary actions to protect the safety of patients and maintain the integrity of the healthcare environment.

Taking this step allows for an organized response to the potential misuse of medication, helping to safeguard against any risks associated with the nurse's actions, such as diversion of drugs or harm to patients. It ensures that the healthcare facility can address the behavior appropriately, which might involve investigation, potential disciplinary action, or additional training for the involved nurse.

While advising the nurse against their behavior might seem well-intentioned, it may not be sufficient to address the severity of the situation or ensure accountability. Ignoring the action could contribute to ongoing risk for patients, and reporting to law enforcement is typically not the most immediate or appropriate response unless there is clear evidence of a crime committed, which generally would be part of an investigation led by a supervisor or