Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses Practice Exam

A nurse was terminated from three different jobs because he or she was stealing from staff members. The nurse has no pending criminal issues and no criminal history. Though this activity does not involve patients, it may indicate that

1. the nurse is unable to supervise nursing care provided by other licensed nurses.

2. the nurse only steals from fellow employees and would not steal from unsuspecting and vulnerable patients.

3. the nurse will delegate tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel that are beyond their scope of practice.

4. the nurse will repeat similar conduct and exploit patients who trust the nurse to act in their best interest.

The correct answer is: the nurse is unable to supervise nursing care provided by other licensed nurses.

The correct choice highlights a significant concern regarding the nurse's ability to supervise nursing care effectively. A pattern of behavior where a nurse has been terminated for stealing from coworkers raises serious questions about their integrity and ethical responsibilities, which are crucial to nursing practice. Supervision in nursing involves not only overseeing the care provided by others but also modeling professional behavior and ethical standards. If a nurse is capable of stealing from colleagues, it creates a reasonable doubt about their judgment and ability to create a trustworthy environment for both fellow staff and patients. Integrity is a core component of nursing, and any indication of unethical behavior can hinder the nurse's capability to supervise others effectively. This perspective is crucial since the implications of such behavior touch upon the trust that is foundational in healthcare settings. While the nurse may not have a criminal history or pending issues directly related to patient care, their past behavior is indicative of potential future conduct that could compromise the safety and trust of the healthcare team and the patients they serve.