[Nurse Ratched]

I hadn't seen her for a while and just recently heard through the unfortunately reliable grapevine that she was taking a leave d/t addictions issues. That was shocking enough. This was NOT a person one would envision with a problem. Amazing how even those of us with experience in the field forget how thoroughly a person dealing with addictions can cover their tracks.

I just read her obit. A young woman with young children. I don't know what happened. I don't care. It's just such a waste. I weep for those she left behind.

[NurseyBaby'05]

That's such a shame! You just never know. It also makes me wonder just how easily could it be me,you or anyone else. Nobody sets out to go that route. That poor woman and her poor family!

[Thunderwolf]

Who is to say that folks in our field are immune? Nursing as a field has attracted many who have their own issues, many not resolved. I can think of many, in and out of psych, who do. Suicide or accidental death is tragic for everyone that person touched. Many nurses (even docs) don't air their concerns, issues, addictions, or mental/emotional illness with their co-workers (out of fear, embarrassment, or ridicule) and function quite well, until it gets to such a point where it is no longer possible. I don't believe you, Nurse Ratched. You do care. You would not have posted if you did not.

[Murt]

I work with drug/alcohol abusers and nurses/nurses aids are way over represanted among patients which is why i make sure we do a drug count every week, my boss thinks once or twice a yr would do

[bellcollector]

You mean you don't do drug/narcotic counts each shift? Admittedly I have only worked 3 places as a nurse but each one has counted narcs each and every shift. Of course I have never worked with a pixes.

[Murt]

Originally Posted by bellcollector

You mean you don't do drug/narcotic counts each shift? Admittedly I have only worked 3 places as a nurse but each one has counted narcs each and every shift. Of course I have never worked with a pixes.

I work in a small treatment centre with only 4 nurses, of course we count all the drugs each time we make a withdrawl/ addition. As long as it stays in order well keep doing it every week, when i started their it hadnt been done for months! Also they're were drugs lieing around in cupboards all over shop and tablets were disappearing for no proper reason!
But i tightened up all that and now were looking a lot better.