CASE STUDY: Barbara Gonzales a register nurse assigned in a Community Hospital. She enjoys her position as it allows her to spend additional time with patients who have come in for cardiac stress test. In fact, she enjoys almost all aspects of her job with the exception in dealing with Dr. Jones, who is invariably late for procedure appointments. Barbara understands that physician have full schedules and often must take additional time with some patients, which makes them late for all other appointments that day. However, in this case, it is not a professional problem that is delaying the physician but rather a personal one. It is widely known among hospital staff that he is having a affair with and feels that it is not her business to judge. However, she resents being brought into the matter, as a doctor has directed her to tell his waiting patients that he is being held up in an emergency.

1. Is the nurse Gonzales making a big deal over a small matter?

2. Does she have a duty to protect her colleague?

3. How would you address this issue?

4. What best serves the patients?