Ritalin at work

Nurses General Nursing

Published

  1. Do you think it is ok to have non narc meds at work but are prescription

    • 42
      Yes
    • 1
      No
    • 3
      Undecided
    • 6
      Don't care

52 members have participated

I have a question, this started when I was a CNA work freaked out when they found out I was keeping Ritalin in my locker it was in my prescription bottle with my name on it but they still freaked made me go to my doctor which works there and get a note saying I needed it because I have a midle case of narcalepsy and it keeps me alert ECT.. Anyone know why they would freak so bad i know it is a controlled med but I think they went in excess. What do you guys think?:confused:

Specializes in Psych, EMS.

Absolutely, yes. I take Concerta before work for ADD and lethargy. It keeps my mind out of a fog.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Thanks all for the good comments and voting, I dunnonyou you consider my combination locked locker secure only I know the comb and security and they don't know I have it in there as of I know. I am not sure if I would feel comfrable aski g my charge to lock it in the narc drawer per say because all the nurses can get to that drawer. Also that would put a bit of stress on her about it also.. I do take the Ritalin on lunch break... If I get one you all k ow how it is otherwise I just slip into the locker room real quick and pop one down.

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I think there's no problem with bringing it to work. I work 12 hours and I only take my prescription if I need it. I usually won't know if I need until after I've been working awhile. I don't take the meds everyday because I don't need it everyday. However, I would hate to be 2 hours into a 12 hour shift and be misearable or unable to work the best of my ability because I left my meds at home. With that being said, I don't leave them out for everyone to see. Everyone doesn't have to know my business. In your personal LOCKED locker should be fine.

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Specializes in Peds Rehab, Informatics.

I take Adderall twice a day when I am at work. I don't really care if people are offended by it being in my bag. I am not stupid with, I keep it out of sight and take it when I need it. I have ADD, I take medication to deal with said ADD and my coworkers and my patients thank me for it. My physician has been following my case for five years. I don't understand what the big deal is?

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Actually, having a controlled substance pill, without your prescription bottle, at work seems like it could cause a bigger problem.

Your prescription is your "note" from your Doctor. I don't buy the idea that you need an additional note because the script may have been forged....if someone is going to forge a script, what's to stop them from forging a note?

And I've seen no controversy about adults taking Ritalin. There are people who are uneducated about adult ADHD....but adults taking Ritalin for narcolepsy is not controversial.

That is why I said a LABEL- as in a pharmacy label. And yes, the controversy is with adult ADHD, but it is very controversial. What we are seeing now is the many kids raised on ritalin moving up through adulthood still taking meds, and the stuggling adults who seek help for their attention problems and are now being placed on meds. But even in kids ritalin use is very controversial. Tired adults use it for legal "speed", and teens sometime divert it and sell it to their friends. Those who need it, need it. Those who don't simply abuse it. It is a complicated drug.

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I have a question, this started when I was a CNA work freaked out when they found out I was keeping Ritalin in my locker it was in my prescription bottle with my name on it but they still freaked made me go to my doctor which works there and get a note saying I needed it because I have a midle case of narcalepsy and it keeps me alert ECT.. Anyone know why they would freak so bad i know it is a controlled med but I think they went in excess. What do you guys think?:confused:

Might have something to do w/ thinking you might be handing them out... I went to my Dr. For a new script for some, because. I am add; and he freaked out and asked me if I was selling them?! I was so ******, I never went back to him.

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Specializes in ER.

You have a medical condition that requires a prescription, and you told them about it when you were hired. They need to **** off. Your locker is private space (it has a lock on it), and even if that weren't enough they need to make reasonable accommodation for disabilities. This is a disability like a speed bump is a mountain....but who here is making mountains out of molehills?

And you're taking the frigging pill on your break...that's your time.

Don't the people at your workplace have lives to save, or germs to kill, or SOMETHING?

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Single pills in an unlabeled container is not a good idea. A few pills in a labeled container from your pharmacy as prescribed by your MD is none of their business... and legal. Keep them in a back pack in your locker, or even in your car in the parking lot. I always keep a few "supplies" in case there is an emergency - for example, working a double shift, a disaster, snow etc. - such as meds, a change of clothes, tooth brush and toothpaste etc. - when one can't get home.

Having said that discretion is key. Take your meds discretely and store them discretely. That way there is no controversy.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

If all they are asking is that you provide a note to verify the prescription, I think that is reasonable. Only because ritalin is such a common drug of abuse. I do not generally think we need to bring notes to verify all prescriptions we may bring to work, but with highly controlled meds (ritalin is schedule II), it's probably not unreasonable.

I have worked one place that forbade taking any controlled (schedule II-V) within 24 hrs of working. Not reasonable.

And regarding your poll. The term narcotic is difficult. Narcotics are poorly defined. Legally they are any illegal substance from methamphetamines to marijuana to heroin to unprescribed valium. Medically narcotics are loosely defined as sleep inducing medications (generally opiods) but still a confusing term.

So I would vote that it's ok to keep non-narcotic prescription meds at work, but I can understand an employer being nervous about a schedule II med like ritalin or oxycontin (same class).

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Specializes in Oncology.
If all they are asking is that you provide a note to verify the prescription, I think that is reasonable. Only because ritalin is such a common drug of abuse. I do not generally think we need to bring notes to verify all prescriptions we may bring to work, but with highly controlled meds (ritalin is schedule II), it's probably not unreasonable.

I have worked one place that forbade taking any controlled (schedule II-V) within 24 hrs of working. Not reasonable.

And regarding your poll. The term narcotic is difficult. Narcotics are poorly defined. Legally they are any illegal substance from methamphetamines to marijuana to heroin to unprescribed valium. Medically narcotics are loosely defined as sleep inducing medications (generally opiods) but still a confusing term.

So I would vote that it's ok to keep non-narcotic prescription meds at work, but I can understand an employer being nervous about a schedule II med like ritalin or oxycontin (same class).

You make very interesting points I have not thought of before I will take all this in to thought and would like to thank all of you for the comments and things to think about I think I am gonna leave the poll open for a bit longer see if anyone else has any input, :)

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