Whistleblower protection.

Abstract

The American Nurses Association's Code for Nurses states that "The nurse acts to safeguard the client and the public when health care and safety are affected by incompetent, unethical, or illegal practice by any person." In the interpretive statements which accompany the Code for Nurses, it is stated that "As an advocate for the client, the nurse must be alert to and take appropriate action regarding any instances of incompetent, unethical, or illegal practice by any member of the health care team or the health care system, or any action on the part of others that places the rights of best interests of the client in jeopardy." As of March of 2000, 22 states have whistleblower legislation introduced, 3 states had legislation enacted in the year 2000, and 10 states had legislation enacted in prior years. In a recent national survey of registered nurses, 56% of the nurses responding believed that their time available for direct patient care had decreased and 75% of those responding believed that the quality of nursing care had declined in their work setting during the last two years. Reasons for the declining care included: inadequate staffing, decreased nurse satisfaction, and a delay in providing basic care.