The post-it reads “Tacit approval for nurses watching old nurses go against policy.”
Can’t say it any plainer than that.
Tacit approval is accepting, without words, an action by another.
Even if the other is wrong.
Even if the action is wrong.
Even if no one is hurt.
Especially when the other is getting away with it.
As an elder nurse with 22 years of experience, I follow policy and procedure.
Even if I don’t agree with it.
Even if it would be easier to do something else.
For one, this keeps me out of trouble.
For another, this allows newer nurses to shadow the proper ways of nursing without telling them the correct ways of nursing. Because some of the new nurses close their ears to instruction. And then bleat “I didn’t know!” when caught.
This is why it is important to always walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
Talk is cheap.
And someone is ALWAYS watching.
Dispatches from the Evening Shift 