Whistle-blowing explained: to be or not to be a whistle-blower, that is the question

Registered veterinary nurses (RVNs) in the UK became more directly accountable for their actions (or lack of action) with the introduction of a disciplinary system in April 2011. As a result it has never been so crucial that they are fully aware of their professional, legal and moral responsibilities when witnessing continued or deliberate wrongdoings at work or a colleague's professional malpractice. Being aware of what kind of activities constitute malpractice or professional misconduct is challenging enough in itself, but knowing if and who to tell provides individuals with further dilemmas and challenges which are likely to have long-term effects both to themselves personally and professionally and to the profession in general.

Whistle-blowing is the idiom used to describe an employee voicing their concern about an act or acts of wrongdoing that they believe to be going on in their workplace. The origin of the expression, which is generally reported to have derived from the British police force who in the past, blew a whistle when witnessing a crime, has been transferred to current usage because of its association with alerting others and warning the general public of danger (Isaacs, 2010).