According to Hutson (2014), “It is generally accepted that there are two types of whistle-blowing: internal and external. Internal whistle-blowing typically involves reporting concerns up the chain of command within the organization in the hope that whatever the problem is, it will be resolved. External whistle-blowing involves reporting concerns outside the organization and in particular, the media” (p. 251).
“Whistleblowing is an attempt by a member or former member of an organization to issue a warning to the public about a serious wrongdoing or danger created or concealed by the organization. Numerous definitions of whistleblowing appear in health care and business literature, but all point to the importance of advocacy, that is, protecting someone who will likely be harmed. To define the terms further within the scope of nursing, whistleblowing is the action taken by a nurse who goes outside the organization for the public’s best interest when it is unresponsive to reporting the danger through the organization’s proper channels. Reporting is the action taken by the nurse inside the channels of his or her organization to correct a dangerous situation. Examples of reporting include incident reports and verbal reporting to line managers” (Lachman, 2008, p. 126).
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However, reporting any actual or potential misconduct can be personally and professionally risky. Whistleblowing is certainly not to be taken lightly. It involves far more than simply stating something does not seem quite right. There is a moral burden for the potential whistleblower, that the issue they want to raise may be addresses appropriately, it at all. Some managers may feel that the complaint is not backed up with other evidence or support from senior staff on the particular unit” (Grainger,