Credit: Nafula Sharleen/Facebook
In the wake of the high-profile arrest of Kenyan nurse Abedinecho Kyalo Katue in the United States, US-based Kenyan nurse and businesswoman Nafula Sharleen has issued urgent advice to fellow Kenyans in the nursing profession: strict documentation, adherence to hospital policies, and professionalism are not just best practices—they are essential for survival in a legal system that can turn a small oversight into a career-ending case.
Nafula, who has spent 12 years in bedside nursing and two years as a Legal Nurse Consultant, emphasizes one principle above all: “Document, document, document.”
She warns that in US courts, nursing documentation is the most important evidence.
“If it’s not documented, it never happened,” she says. Every action, every patient interaction, and every communication with doctors must be clearly recorded.
She also advises nurses to strictly follow hospital policies.
“Do not act on hearsay, experience, or instructions from colleagues that aren’t in the official policy,” she cautions. In critical care, adherence to protocol is key—not improvisation.
Nafula highlights the risks in patient care: always assume bedsides are recorded. Hidden cameras may capture interactions, and unprofessional behavior—even a seemingly innocent comment—can be used against a nurse in court.
Complementing patients on appearance or engaging in any personal remarks, she warns, can be misinterpreted.
She shares cautionary tales from the field: patients or their families can fabricate negligence claims, citing minor oversights as proof of poor care.
A common example: leaving a soda bottle on a bedridden patient’s side can be twisted into negligence if bed sores develop.
Before touching a patient, always explain your actions.
“Do not start handling patients without consent. This is where many nurses get into legal trouble,” she notes. Even if a patient resists, nurses should remain professional and involve supervisors rather than forcing compliance.
Nafula also stresses understanding one’s scope of practice.
Nurses should know whether they are LPNs, RNs, or advanced practice nurses, and decline tasks beyond their training. Critical care requires careful monitoring of medications, lab values, and patient vitals—any mistake could have fatal consequences.
Finally, she urges separating personal life from work. “Stay professional. Keep your interactions mysterious and strictly work-focused,” she advises.
Nafula’s advice is a stark reminder to Kenyans pursuing nursing careers in the US: professionalism, documentation, and strict adherence to hospital policy are not optional—they are lifesaving.