[Pepper The Cat]

OK - Here's a question I've been wondering about for a while, but don't want to ask for obvious reasons.

OK - I'm sure that all hospitals have this process - if there is an external disastor, our hospital has a process where all staff is called in - it has a code name, that I am reluctant to use it - lets just call it "fan out and go". Basically, its a process where all staff is called and expected to come in and help out because of some external disastor. Fine and dandy - I can come in if needed. But... (here's my question) what should one do if they have been drinking? Now, I would NEVER drink before going on duty, but we are talking about something happening on my day off.
do you
a) Say sorry I'm tanked, I can't come in = thereby giving you the reputation as the boozer nurse and basically destroying any chance of promotion.
b) Go in, but say "I've been drinking, I can't safely give meds, start IVs, etc, but can probably do basic nsg care, freeing up someone else to do what I am too tanked to do.
c) Go in, drink lots of caffeine and water in route, hoping that that plus the adrenaline rush of a true emerency will sober you up
or d) Just say, I've been drinking, I can 't come in, thereby basically destroying your chances for promotion as in # 1.

Don't say just don't answer your phone, lets assume your have answered and are now in this predicament.
Not that its ever happened to me! I'm just curious -(as I pour myself another rum and coke....)

[TigerGalLE]

Everyone I work with is extremely cool. You should come to our Christmas parties... Everyone brings beer/wine/liquor. I think my DON would completely understand. I also think she would rather me not drink and drive.

Tiger

[cardiacRN2006]

I would say, "sorry, I have been drinking". This is your day off and what you legally do with it is none of their business.

[VivaLasViejas]

That's a really, really good question.

Of course, you KNOW the answer: we aren't supposed to have a life outside work, so we should never drink alcohol, take a sleeping pill, smoke a joint, or God forbid get sick!

I think it stems from the old days when nurses worked six days a week, 16 hours a day, and were permitted time off only to go to church and MAYBE, if they were really good girls, receive a gentleman friend in the heavily chaperoned front parlor for an hour on Sunday evening.

In the ensuing decades, however, we've developed all sorts of bad habits which could, both in theory and in practice, present a problem if we're called in for a mass-casualty disaster. I know I'd have an issue if I had to go in to my facility in the middle of the night, because I take medication for sleep. This is not optional---if I don't take it, I don't sleep, and I'm a train wreck if I don't get at least five hours of shut-eye. The trouble, of course, is that I'm not particularly sharp after taking the med......let alone capable of getting behind the wheel, driving the 15 miles in, and having to make quick decisions.

I wish I knew what the "right" answer is. But maybe it will help you to understand that if you have an overabundance of ETOH in your system, you have a legal responsibility NOT to drive---to say nothing of starting IVs or giving medications that could kill somebody!

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

[Spidey's mom]

Originally Posted by cardiacRN2006

I would say, "sorry, I have been drinking". This is your day off and what you legally do with it is none of their business.

This is the answer. I've used it myself.

steph

[letina]

Is this an NCLEX question?

Sorry.....couldn't resist that one

[Agnus]

Originally Posted by Pepper The Cat

OK - Here's a question I've been wondering about for a while, but don't want to ask for obvious reasons.

OK - I'm sure that all hospitals have this process - if there is an external disastor, our hospital has a process where all staff is called in - it has a code name, that I am reluctant to use it - lets just call it "fan out and go". Basically, its a process where all staff is called and expected to come in and help out because of some external disastor. Fine and dandy - I can come in if needed. But... (here's my question) what should one do if they have been drinking? Now, I would NEVER drink before going on duty, but we are talking about something happening on my day off.
do you
a) Say sorry I'm tanked, I can't come in = thereby giving you the reputation as the boozer nurse and basically destroying any chance of promotion.
b) Go in, but say "I've been drinking, I can't safely give meds, start IVs, etc, but can probably do basic nsg care, freeing up someone else to do what I am too tanked to do.
c) Go in, drink lots of caffeine and water in route, hoping that that plus the adrenaline rush of a true emerency will sober you up
or d) Just say, I've been drinking, I can 't come in, thereby basically destroying your chances for promotion as in # 1.

Don't say just don't answer your phone, lets assume your have answered and are now in this predicament.
Not that its ever happened to me! I'm just curious -(as I pour myself another rum and coke....)

You think too much and worry too much. I would honestly tell them I have been drinking and am not fit for duty. This does not give me a reputation as a boozer. It identifies me as a responsible person who happened to drink today on my day off.

There is no stigma nor anything intrinsically wrong with drinking on my day off. However, if you show up to work having been drinking and expect that I would put any faith in your abilities you are dead wrong. Basic nursing care requires a sober person. Just as much as giving meds does.

Neither caffeine nor adrenaline will sober you up. Only time and your liver can sober you. If you are impaired caffeine can not unimpaire you nor can an adrenaline rush nore can water. If this were true we would tell people it is ok to drink and drive if you drink plenty of coffee or or water and go Bungie jumping first.

You know this if you are an RN.

[lvnandmomx3]

I agree with Spidey if its my day off I am pleased to do what ever I want. I will let them Know, "Sorry I have had a few drinks (usually never have more than 2 or 3 anyway) I am not able to come in now, if you still need me in 12 I will be available." Then I would drink lost of coffee and water, and eat something.

[Spidey's mom]

Originally Posted by Agnus

You think too much and worry too much. I would honestly tell them I have been drinking and am not fit for duty. This does not give me a reputation as a boozer. It identifies me as a responsible person who happened to drink today on my day off.

There is no stigma nor anything intrinsically wrong with drinking on my day off. However, if you show up to work having been drinking and expect that I would put any faith in your abilities you are dead wrong. Basic nursing care requires a sober person. Just as much as giving meds does.

Neither caffeine nor adrenaline will sober you up. Only time and your liver can sober you. If you are impaired caffeine can not unimpaire you nor can an adrenaline rush nore can water. If this were true we would tell people it is ok to drink and drive if you drink plenty of coffee or or water and go Bungie jumping first.

You know this if you are an RN.

I agree - this isn't a big deal.

And I would not go in after having a few drinks to do even basic care.

One of my supervisors had already learned to calculate how fast your body gets rid of alcohol and asked me how many glasses of wine I had and then told me when I could safely come in to help.

steph

[Altra]

Do you think that your coworkers will forgo ever drinking alcohol, going out of town, planning a night in in jammies & fuzzy slippers, or being otherwise unavailable for work every single day for the rest of their lives just in case there's an emergency?

No?

Then neither should you.