New to site--Question 4 school

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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Hello everyone,

I am new to this site and I have found it to be very interesting. I need some help with an assignment for school. Just a little note about me. I am a LPN and will graduate Dec with my ASN. I have been a nurse for seven years. I have to post a question and have someone respond to it for a grade so please will someone help me.......

The question is........

How do you feel about turning in a nurse to the state board, that is using prescription pain medication that she is stealing from work? This nurse is your good friend and she begged you not to tell. She hurt her back a home a few days ago and was in a lot of pain. You only caught her once and she swore she would never do it again and she is going to the doctor this afternoon after work?

Thank you in advance for all your help! Please remember, I am being graded for everyones response.

Honeybee75

Specializes in Cardiology.

Theft is theft. If you have a medical problem, you go to your doctor, not to the pyxis.

Thanks for your input!!!!!!!

Specializes in M/S, Onc, PCU, ER, ICU, Nsg Sup., Neuro.
Theft is theft. If you have a medical problem, you go to your doctor, not to the pyxis.

This something I have to agree with, I have been an RN for over 20 yrs and before pyxsis and accudose was the old reliable "narc" drawer but whatever it's still stealing first of all and violation of nursing accountibility. If I get injured which just recently happened to me, I went first to employee health, and when what they prescribed was ineffective I went to my PMD who changed my meds and have since gotten over the injury and pain. I have lost friends over the years who got into trouble with drugs from above named sources and have been fired over it, come whining to me and get no sympathy whatsoever(sorry). Unless they start putting Margarita's in these machines I have nothing to worry about myself tapping the machine for a med or anyone else(my wife has chronic migraines and other maladies and when she needs something, we call her doc, I hate to see her in pain, but I'm not risking my career and professionalism to grab something to help her pain).

flaerman

Specializes in Rehab, Corrections, LTC, and Detox Nurse.

In LTC facilities here the old narc drawer is still in place. There's no excuse for it. You know LTC is the easiest area to steal narcs. Most of your population are old and with declines in mental status for that pop. it's the nurse's word over the patient. Also, there's always the chance that a patients pain med will not be needed before it's discontinued so there's room to take them. It happens alot.

Personally, I wouldn't tell you to turn her in. It really is a choice you have to consciously make. Only you know the answer.

Thanks for all your replies. I have not personally been in this position. I just posted a question to see what responses I would receive. This was a class assignment and I have found a new place that I can talk with other people that are nurses as well. This has been an enjoyable experience and I will be talking to everyone again real soon.

Thanks again.

I would report this to someone of authority at the workplace. I would not call the board. For some reason I feel this step is for administration to take, not a co-worker. I feel this is just a personal preference.

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