[barefootlady]

I have never had a problem like many of the posters here have written about. But, as a nurse working today, I feel the politics in nursing is always a threat to my license. If you are a good nurse you cannot be a good employee, this puts you in the position of having to watch your back and your license while at work. I won't go into details but I am sure many of the members of the BB have faced this situation many times in their careers.

[traumaRUs]

I guess I took this question wrong. Yes, I have felt my license was in jeopardy but due to staffing issues. When you work in a large ER and you have 4 nurses on duty with upwards of 40 patients, never knowing when a trauma will come through the door or two or three or a full arrest - then yes, I have felt my license was in jeopardy.

[brian]

Yes, the question is open to any form of Nursing Liscense ever been in Jeoprody? Not only just by things you have done, but staffing issues, investigations etc... Thanks for clarifying.

[mamabear]

Originally Posted by omotayoRN70

This addicts, but yu recieved adequate trainning in nursing school and yu still remember yur nursing ethics, you should know that as an ethical nurse
going on drug is totally forbidden, somebody dealing with life it not a healthy development for nursing practice in this millenium.
you need a thorough rehabilitation(s). well, yur license may still be valid but you must refrain from such an act.
omotayo.

As it's been said in this thread and countless others: nobody chooses to be an addict, anymore than they would elect to have diabetes, schizophrenia or cystic fibrosis. I've been clean and sober for 6 years; it hasn't always been easy, believe me, and it's certainly not something I looked forward to doing, once I graduated college. Most healthcare workers who are addicts got started on drugs for post-op pain or, in my case, debilitating migraines (this was back in the days when all the migraine meds were ergot-ridden nightmares: no Imitrex or Maxalt). Show a little compassion. But for the grace of God...

[paigern]

Originally Posted by mamabear

As it's been said in this thread and countless others: nobody chooses to be an addict, anymore than they would elect to have diabetes, schizophrenia or cystic fibrosis. I've been clean and sober for 6 years; it hasn't always been easy, believe me, and it's certainly not something I looked forward to doing, once I graduated college. Most healthcare workers who are addicts got started on drugs for post-op pain or, in my case, debilitating migraines (this was back in the days when all the migraine meds were ergot-ridden nightmares: no Imitrex or Maxalt). Show a little compassion. But for the grace of God...

At least some have compassion and empathy. Congratulations on your 6 years.

[tiroka03]

I don't want to be mean, but I worked with an addicted charge nurse. I was brand new on the job when the drugs started missing. I looked like the culprit, and management was looking at me awfuly hard. Narc's in multi-use vials didn't seem to have effect on some of our worst cancer patients. Then the plasic container holding syringes were broken. A lot of morphine was missing. I found out later - I almost lost my job.


I am glad you have gotten help. But, you left a legacy behind. I for one would not want to work with an ex addict. I saw way to much unresoved pain the first time around. I just don't want to have to deal with again. I have enough on my plate trying to keep my liscence intact with the overload of pts I deal with, without backup from supervisors.

I am not your sister, I am your co-worker. I don't have to be understanding of a major infraction. I would fear it could happen again.

[paigern]

I don't mean to be mean, either, but you are the type of nurse that I hope to never work with again. Nurses that think they are infallible and perfect scare me more than those of us who tell the truth about their problems. I don't see where it was such a big problem to you that your charge nurse was using, as long as you had nothing to hide and could pass a drug test, then you had nothing to worry about.

[akcarmean]

I only work per-diem and when I did work full-time in HH I never felt like my license was in jeopardy. I can fully see and understand from the post above how I could easly feel that way with the staffing issues.I just want to say CONGRADULATIONS TO whose who have overcome their addiction. I wish you many years of staying clean from the addiction. Good luck.


Angelia

[tiroka03]

Many people have their own little problems. This just happens to be a big one. btw drugs are illegal especially stealing them from a hurting patient. If you have a problem and can't keep it from hurting someone else, don't go were there are vulnerable people. You can't tell my a abuser who diultes morphine isn't aware the pt is being affected. I'ts not just a matter of poor me, I have a problem. It's a matter of not making good judgements,and of actually causing harm to the ones your are supposed to be helping. Sorry if you don't like it. What if it was your child or parent, and the drug given them was not full strength. Would you enjoy watching them suffer? Would you ask the doctor to have the amount increased, then be so understanding when the next dose snows him?

To me it may be more personal, as I did watch people suffer when the morphine just didn't kick in.

Then theres the little matter of having my good name "drug" through the mud. It was my very first job - could have been my last.

to me it's not so much the fact you are taking the drugs, it's the lying, the stealing, and the not caring which concern me.

[paigern]

First, not every addict diverts from work. 2nd, as an addict, my patients NEVER received DILUTED pain medication. Nor was pain medication withheld from them so I could have it. I have never had a complaint from a patient or family member regarding the care they received from me. In fact, just the opposite, patients and family members would request me. I'm sorry that you had a bad experience at your job with an addict, but please don't judge us all by the actions of one.