TRUST such an important word and is integral to our profession, from clinicians to the governing bodies who guide and regulate our profession. As professionals working in a healthcare environment,  trust helps us build therapeutic and professional relationships with our patients, their families, work colleagues, managers, and stakeholders. Such a little word which has so much meaning and importance, as it influences how we think, our understandings, our behaviours, and our reputations.

What happens when you trust the cultural practices in your workplace rather than the Standards of Practice, Codes of Conduct, and policies for your profession? This lesson was the turning point for Gina* a registered nurse who had just completed a Transition to Practice Program earlier in the year. Gina was working a night shift with a very experienced Nurse in Charge who directed how the work would be completed with the expectation that you did not question the practice. The culture of the unit supported this practice.

Read here to learn what happened when Gina was subject to a notification to Aphra and the subsequent conditions placed on her registration.

The Standards for practice, Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics can be found via the Nursing and Midwifery Board website here. 

*name has been changed to maintain confidentiality