Scenario: You working as a RN in a care home. You come to know that another RN working with you, who has recently joined, had given false reference for getting the job, What will you do?

  • Recognises that false impersonation to provide a reference is an unlawful fraudulent action.
  • Acknowledges their professional duty to report the unlawful and dishonest behaviour of the nurse to the senior manager and the professional body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Failure to report concerns may bring their own fitness to practise into question and place their own registration at risk, reflecting the duty of candour.
  • Recognises that the action of falsely providing a reference could indirectly create a risk to the safety of patients in the care home.
  • Makes a clear written record of the occurrence, including the date and with whom the concern was raised.
  • Recognises that this action will need to be shared with police and will likely result in the need for a formal police statement.
  • Suspends the nurse in question from work, pending investigation, removing them from any forthcoming shifts from the roster, and identifying cover.
  • Identifies that the act of impersonating a ward manager breaches the fundamental tenets of truth and honesty set out in ‘The Code’ and does not promote professionalism and public trust.