Prescription narcotics or benzodiazepines while working?

[FireStarterRN]

Should a nurse be working while on Ativan, Xanax, Lortab, Percocet, or some other prescribed medication that may impair a person? I always thought this was a no no, even with a prescription. Don't these drugs impair ones judgment? Yet, I heard on another thread that nurses take Ativan to get through their shift.

Aren't there warnings on these meds 'do not drive while taking'. Isn't it common sense that, if you shouldn't drive while on a medication, you probably shouldn't be making nursing judgment calls, dispensing risky medications, transferring patients, and so forth.

What is the policy on this? What about the Nurse Practice Act?

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

I have a seve back problem and at my place of work if it is on prescription I can take darvocet. i find I dont because I worry about how I would be but realisically I could if I wanted

[netglow, ASN, RN]

PS Daddy,

There should be no discrimination towards nurses in the receipt of health care.

Nurse or not, everybody has the potential to have any of the positive or the negative effects of any treatment they receive.

I would advise you to knock on wood fast as karma has a way of KA. You might end up with something you need meds for. And if I had you sign a waiver that went to every prescriber in the world that says you state, "I Refuse pharmacologic therapy of any kind that has potential for addiction as a possible side effect" I bet you would do it too. And I would probably end up replacing you for inabiliy to perform at work (your sore back). You would say, WAIT!

Thing is for all people, each has to self evaluate how a drug affects them. Each individual is responsible for their own actions or inactions in this world.

So THERE

[daniedi77]

Not all medication effects everyone the same. I take 1 mg xanax PRN and I am not altered in anyway and able to function in all my duties. The key thing is the first time you use it make sure you are at home and see how it affects you. I am also prescribed muscle relaxers and pain meds due to severe tension headaches all which do not impair me mentally or physically. I am on my feet for 12 hrs moving , lifting and bending over (which I shouldn't do, I know I need to raise the bed, but for the sake of time, I bend. Talk with your doctor, start on a low dosage and go from there. Anxiety is real and can lead to more serious problems. Talk to your Doc!!!! Good Luck :)

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

I'm shocked. No, under no circumstances would I expect a nurse to come to work with these kind of drugs on board. I really am genuinely shocked anyone thinks this is OK.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Ok lineart,

Then you cannot be a nurse if you are a diabetic.

No exceptions.

[TravelinCEN]

Too Funny! You know vashtee, your being too repetitive, sounds like your under the influence of something.

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

aaaaggggghhhh! once again complete and utter ignorance of risk assessment as a concept and the advice of Occupational Health NPs /Docs.

no doubt some of you would ban me from working becasue i take a 'psychoactive' medication ... an SSRI ... , i've also worked while taking Opiates /opioids as although i had pain it didn't stop me from working as long as i medicated appropriately ...

thje SSRI issues was run through Occ health and the opiates/opioids ( codeine or tramadol) is complete none event ...

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

I read this on the Minnesota Board of Nursing site. It is under cause for disciplinary action. Note is does not distinguish prescribed drugs as opposed to those that are not.

While I believe there are nurse who most likely are able to function without difficulty. Just what if something happens to a patient under their care, and it comes to light the nurse had taken such and such medication even though it is a prescription. What would the nurses defense be to prove she was in fact not impaired in some way? Just a thought. I do not have the answer.

this is from the Board of Nursing Minnesota

9) Actual or potential inability to practice nursing with reasonable skill

and safety to patients by reason of illness, use of alcohol, drugs, chemicals,

or any other material, or as a result of any mental or physical condition

This has been an interesting thread to read, thanks OP

does it actually say you cannot take them if you are an RN ? no it doesn't .... does it ? final answer ? go 50/50 ? ask the audience ? ring your dealer ? it's about recognising your own limitations and heeding the advice of professionals ( both those you see as a patient and those who are your colleagues )

or is this once again hiding behind "Doctors' orders" which seems to be the default Allnurses board answer to anything ....

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

If you get a new med, I'd want to take it on a day off, to learn the effect it will have on you. If you're going to be loopy or sleepy, it's better to be that way somewhere other than work. My .

this

all part of a sensible and balalnced risk assesment based post , and don't forget i'm the one posting from the place with very good sick benefits and need ( i.e. per medical recommendation and certification) related sickness time not earnt...

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

Arent any of you the least bit worried of becoming addicted? These are highly addictive drugs no? Would you worry if your children where on these? But you are different because your a nurse?

Addiction is extremely rare in those taking opiates for pain - especially over short to medium term use vs recreational users, and even then the physical addictiveness potential of opiates used illicitily is over played vs habituation which eventually leads to physical addiction.

Dependence on benzos is greater risk but responsible prescribing and use of other tresatment techniques ( both drugs and talking therapies etc ) should be aprt of the management plan.

I'm not a father but i have no problem with the concept of a my child taking an opiate or a benzo if clinically indicated .

[ZippyGBR, BSN, RN]

I'm shocked. No, under no circumstances would I expect a nurse to come to work with these kind of drugs on board. I really am genuinely shocked anyone thinks this is OK.

rationale, with evidence based supporting a total ban please ?

or doesn't that apply becasue it's about 'Narcotics'...?

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

I'm shocked. No, under no circumstances would I expect a nurse to come to work with these kind of drugs on board. I really am genuinely shocked anyone thinks this is OK.

This is ridiculous.

I personally find it scary that it's NURSES being this close-minded about such an issue. We ALL should know better that people, and conditions, can be treated long-term with either opioids or benzos without "impairment." In fact, people requiring long-term treatment with these meds function better ON them, than not. For some, they allow the person to think clearly and/or just get out of BED in the morning, where crippling pain or anxiety would otherwise render them useless.

Pain management docs prescribe meds to patients that include nurses, knowing they are actively employed. That to me says all you need to know (I use this example since pain clinics review the patient's day-to-day life with every appointment, and that includes job status.....AND how the medications affect them).