Do I tell my boss about my lying colleague?

[pepperfish]

I am having a very stressful internal debate and would really appreciate some outside views...

I am a vet nurse within a small practice. One of my colleagues, who has also been my friend since I started working there 4 years ago has a reputation for exaggerating the truth/telling porkies/downright lying (My boss remains blissfully ignorant). The lies range from taking time off work for 'illness' (I have caught her out several times enjoying herself royally when she is meant to be signed off) to pretending she has done patient checks when we all know it was one of us who has done it (don't worry - we are aware of her lazy work ethic and do pick up behind her!).

I do / did consider her a friend, although she has lied to me several times outside of work too (she once bragged about her fiancé proposing to her by filling the house with candles, until I bumped into her now husband once and exclaimed how lovely it sounded with all the candles etc. I then got a confused look from him, with a "Um, there weren't any candles... It was just on the sofa...").

That's just one example, and they are mainly harmless lies and just make her look a bit silly. It's not lost on me that she's probably doing it because she is insecure, so I have let it slide in the past.

Recently I had to go for an appointment that started after my shift time. When I came back in the afternoon I told her this 3 times, in range of my other colleagues and she told me to leave work at my normal time. When my boss asked why I wasn't making up the time, with her stood there too she acted as if she was shocked and appalled that I was 'trying it on'. She lied to him to cover her own back , basically.

She was made head nurse and is meant to be in charge, but nothing is working well in the practice at all, mainly I think because of her reputation - no one trusts or respects her. One of my colleagues went to our completely clueless boss and spilt her guts to him about this person's lying and he was apparently very shocked but a bit disbelieving.

I'm now thinking is this my chance to back up my other colleague and set him straight and tell him what a lier she can be? Or does that make me an awful petty person? Am I going to get in trouble or risk my job? (probably?)

I should also mention she is pregnant (and no, I didn't believe her at first).

Help!

You don't have to tell him what a liar she is or spill your guts but you should put him straight on what happened with your appointment and let him know that you don't want him to have the wrong impression ie, you were told by her that you could leave normal time and she was aware about the appointment. Arguably he may think you should have stayed on regardless of what she said. If that was your intention but she told you no need to stay then make that clear too.

He should be able to see a pattern emerging but just stick to the facts.

I would stop covering for her. Let her own mistakes show her up x

I an guessing you are an RVN, as I keep reminding my RVNs you are a qualified professional and your colleague who is also a qualified professional is not meeting her professional obligations.
I would start to keep a log of when you carry out duties that are her responsibility, I would also back this up by initially all the patient checks you carry out on the hospital sheet and your nursing care plans so it is really clear who is carrying out the work. This will give you evidence when you go to your boss.
Are you a member of the BVNA? If you are there helpline is specifically to help you in this kind of situation.
I know you are feeling torn as she is your friend, however, what kind of friend is she being by her current behaviour.
As a boss in a small practice too I am astounded that your boss hasn't noticed, but wonder if they have and are doing an Ostrich impression.