Nurse in drug rehab

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I know an RN that holds a license in OH that is currently in review without board action, and a license in WV that is unencumbered. Here's my issue. I know she is currently in a drug rehabilitation facility and clearly has not reported it to the WV BON. I'm not certain if that is why her OH RN license is in review? I know she has failed UA's and refused them in the past. She just quits and runs. Do I report her whereabouts to the BON for investigation?

Normally I do as well, but in this situation I have reason to believe it was not of her own volition that she checked into rehab. I'm closer to this situation than I care to let on. Let's suffice it to say that I know far more than heresay and I am not the bad guy here. I know everyone wants to jump to her defense, but she made her bed. I just wanted procedural advice is all.

Specializes in Critical Care.

Stop making snap judgements and move on with your life.

No need to be nasty. It'll be alright.

It is rather remarkable to me though how everyone is quick to jump to the defense of a nurse covered in sores that does meth, heroin, and steals not only drugs but belongings from her patients and employers. All the while getting nasty with the person willing to call her on it and has never even remotely committed those acts. Nurses now pay for drug recovery of other nurses. Why?? I didn't get addicted.

It is rather remarkable to me though how everyone is quick to jump to the defense of a nurse covered in sores that does meth, heroin, and steals not only drugs but belongings from her patients and employers. All the while getting nasty with the person willing to call her on it and has never even remotely committed those acts. Nurses now pay for drug recovery of other nurses. Why?? I didn't get addicted.

What makes you think you are paying a penny towards her treatment? You aren't. These aren't state funded programs; the nurses in them (myself included) pay 100% of our own fees, down to the penny. For every aspect of the treatment. Every single facet I pay for.

I recommend butting out of this because she is clearly already in trouble and being taken care of” by management and the powers that be. Publically flogging her is unnecessary; what do you expect? A bunch of nurses to raise our pitchforks with you in solidarity for tearing down a fallen peer? If she is in rehab and the BON knows (which it sounds like they do), her life is already in a shambles and even though she has done all sorts of wrong, we just aren't game to pour more vinegar on the situation.

If you need reassurance that she will be punished, I assure you she will. And you most certainly aren't paying for her rehab. But you are paying for the rehab of countless other addicts who seek treatment through Medicaid and the ACA via your tax dollars. And you are paying for all the non-compliant diabetics and people with COPD who smoked themselves into lung cancer. And the gang members who get shot while participating in violence. Does that flame you as well? I certainly hope not. Last time I checked, people get themselves into all sorts of nasty health conditions and as nurses we aren't griping that our tax dollars help those people out. Time to let this thread die.

While I am glad to hear that I was misinformed regarding rehab payment I will gladly let this thread die. I didn't imagine that everyone would rally to my side, I certainly didn't intend to strike a nerve in so many and be attacked. I'm not an addict nor have I ever been. So many people making so many excuses for inexcusable behavior is part of the problem. I'm glad that there is punishment that suits the crime, and you all can dispise me for my point of view if you like.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
While I am glad to hear that I was misinformed regarding rehab payment I will gladly let this thread die. I didn't imagine that everyone would rally to my side, I certainly didn't intend to strike a nerve in so many and be attacked. I'm not an addict nor have I ever been. So many people making so many excuses for inexcusable behavior is part of the problem. I'm glad that there is punishment that suits the crime, and you all can dispise me for my point of view if you like.

*despise

Keep in mind that none of us "know" all the details that you apparently know. That puts all of us in the awkward position of agreeing with your presumptions of guilt (with all that you know) vs advocating for "innocent until proven guilty." It is only fair that you are hearing from all sides.

Thanks for the spell check. Not Petty at all. I make zero apologies for my stance and flat refuse to pity this woman. It's been a long road paved by lies that she has created. She's finally coming to the end of it and I'm relieved. I also won't be shamed for my stance by those who have walked that same road. Everyone makes mistakes, I get that but come on. All I wanted was to know about procedures in these matters but instead I got jumped on. Like I'm the bad guy here?? Not in any way shape or form regardless of how things are being twisted.

Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

If you want to report her, report her. Call the BON and tell them everything you know.

There's nothing stopping you. Right?

Thanks for the spell check. Not Petty at all. I make zero apologies for my stance and flat refuse to pity this woman. It's been a long road paved by lies that she has created. She's finally coming to the end of it and I'm relieved. I also won't be shamed for my stance by those who have walked that same road. Everyone makes mistakes, I get that but come on. All I wanted was to know about procedures in these matters but instead I got jumped on. Like I'm the bad guy here?? Not in any way shape or form regardless of how things are being twisted.

You didn't ask about the procedure...you gave her story and asked our thoughts about reporting her wherabouts to the BON...and we gave you our thoughts.

If you want to report her, then report her. A simple Google search of that state's BON will give you the procedure.

Alright then! Have you people had enough yet?! Do you feel better? Lord I hope so! Put your pitch forks down and pat yourselves on the back! I won't be asking another question on this judgemental blog site that's for certain. Back to your moral high ground making excuses for and defending someone who flat doesn't deserve it!

Alright then! Have you people had enough yet?! Do you feel better? Lord I hope so! Put your pitch forks down and pat yourselves on the back! I won't be asking another question on this judgemental blog site that's for certain. Back to your moral high ground making excuses for and defending someone who flat doesn't deserve it!

I don't understand why you're so defensive. You asked for opinions, people gave them to you based on the limited information you shared. You're the only one who knows the entire story. If you feel she should be reported, report her.

Addiction is a disease. I'm not going to shame someone I don't know for having a disease, especially only knowing half the "story".

Best of luck to you.

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