NMC Code of Conduct

[bekib86]

In an essay i am writing
The NMC code of professional conduct (2004) states that a nurse must act for the well being of the patient at all times and that no act or oversight should be made which may be serious to the condition of the patient. Failing to notice a patient becoming dehydrated could be fatal for the patient and leave the nurse in question open to a charge of...
now should it be misconduct or negligence? see im not too sure of the difference in this case, anyone any ideas? Thanks

[Buenchico]

The dictionary definition of 'negligence' is 'lack of proper care or attention', which is clearly applicable in this case.

Although circumstances vary, an accusation of 'negligence', against a nurse, is likely to be far more serious than one of 'misconduct'.

e.g. a nurse kissing a patient would probably be seen as misconduct but it's not going to kill anyone. (As long as he/she otherwise carried out her duties properly, she couldn't be accused of negligence).

However, 'negligence' (i.e. neglecting one's duties) could be far more serious for the patients and for the nurse.

'Misconduct' is normally dealt with by internal disciplinary procedures (unless, of course, it involves a criminal offence, such as stealing from patients).

'Negligence', as well as triggering internal disciplinary procedures, can lead to court action. This could be through the civil courts, with the nurse being sued for compensation for injury to the patient or for the loss of a loved one. In extreme cases, it could result in a criminal prosecution for manslaughter.

Chris

[Buenchico]

Oops! Apologies for the sexism. I changed 'she' to 'he/she' but omitted to change other gender references. I will go and write out 100 times "I must not assume that all nurses are female" ;-)

Chris

[bednobs]

open to a charge of "manslaughter"? either that or change the sentance to read something like "failing to notice a pt becoming dehydrated could be fatal and contranvens the code of conduct"

[bednobs]

ps, dont worry too much chris, as 90% of nurses are female, you can generalise. What is very annoying is people who refer to doctors as "he" when the balance of male/female is much finer

[Hammer]

Negligence is something you didn't do that you should have.
Misconduct is something you did that you shouldn't have.

So in this case, it's negligence.