help!! nurse under the influence at work

Nurses Relations

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I recently changed jobs to a ft position at an outpatient center while still keeping my foot in the hospital per diem. I have never worked out of the hospital so maybe that's why I'm so confused. At the outpatient center I STRONGLY believe a nurse is under the influence of something and I also saw her divert meds that should've been wasted. I reported it to management that was present when I first noticed. Today she clearly was not functioning well pin point pupils and unable to explain what was going on. I mentioned it again and I was told "were aware.. there's nothing we can . It's not like she can re ally hurt a patient here". I don't know what else to do. I don't feel safe working beside her. I don't like her near patients but feel stuck! Any advice ? Thanks

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Yes, she can hurt somebody. If there are drugs to be diverted, there are med errors to be made. She can give the wrong teaching to the wrong pt. She is driving under the influence from work...and probably to work, since if she has to use AT work she's probably using at home too. Check with your state BON; find out if you have to report directly to them, or to your state's monitoring program if you have one (my state has its monitoring program linked on the BON website).

In school I remember my instructor saying, "If you see (this sort of thing) happening, you don't have to think what to do. You have to report it. You just do."

I do hope she gets the help she needs!!

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Oh, and in my state reports can be made anonymously, so no worry about backlash.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

we had a staff coming in at work bumping into things and was previously fired for similar behaviour but because of her connections with management she got her job back and gave the nursing staff responsible for reporting her a difficult time at work. Anyway during my shift she called that shes on her way 1.5hr later she shows up sedated... mind you she drove to work. She can barely keep her eyes open then she was labile throughout her shift... yelling and inappropriately laughing with mentally ill clients... passing out on her desk spilling her pop all over and also on her seat... twice. She was bumping into furnitures and her seat is facing directly to pt lounge and the pts and visitors can see whats happening that we had to call the on call manager collectively as a team. Turns out the on call was her friend... in the end she did not get fired or warned and was given a few days off to relax.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

in my workplace if you report anything including verbal or irs... they are far from anonymous... management mentions who reported you while they do the meeting.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to AN!

Interesting user name when you look at the topic of your post.

You can make a report to the BON....IF you are very sure. If not remember you can ruin her life.

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Ugh. I don't know what to do. I called the board but got a machine and don't want to leave a message before I know if it can be kept anonymous. She knows I saw her. She turned around and saw me looking ri g t at her. I'm so befuddled. I don't know what she's taking.. Could be psych meds but I feel like she's not clear to be working

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You have a duty to report your suspicions to the BON. Management has not acted.. you must.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Ugh. I don't know what to do. I called the board but got a machine and don't want to leave a message before I know if it can be kept anonymous. She knows I saw her. She turned around and saw me looking ri g t at her. I'm so befuddled. I don't know what she's taking.. Could be psych meds but I feel like she's not clear to be working
You can do it online. Most Nurse practice acts have it mandatory that you report or you are just as guilty. https://www.ncsbn.org/163.htm

You said you saw her diverting. I find it difficult to believe that management would actuality make a statement that here is nothing they can do and they can't hurt anyone.

were aware.. there's nothing we can . It's not like she can re ally hurt a patient here".
If they really said that....look for another job immediately
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You are ethically bound to say something. Here's the thing--IF there comes a time when in fact she DOES hurt someone, you know who is gonna go under the bus for "knowing but not saying anything"? Yup. you. And managment gets the quickest amnesia when they are confronted about something they should have done something about and did not. And that you said something, and what they said "never happend".

If she was just going around fluffing pillows and getting water, then perhaps she could not "hurt someone"--never say never though. However, that she would even be in a position to have access to narcotics that she is not wasting is really scary to say the least.

If your medication area has cameras. then it is not difficult to prove. What would be troubling, is that it would also record you seeing this.

CYA, and make a call to your for some guidance as to what to do to protect yourself.

Oh, and are the patients noticing this? If there's complaints from patients, that would not go over well I would think...

Also, if you are union, speak to your union rep. It is highly unfair and outrageous that you would be put in a positon to have to notice this, and your concerns go unheard and un dealt with.

But be mindful. This RN could be an accommodated nurse for a disability. Could be in a protected class, lots of other scenarios. Which would come to light if in fact this is the case. No excuse for diversion however...even on a recovering nurse plan, there's usually a stipulation about handling of narcotics.

Just protect you. And get some legal advice, even if it is through your malpractice insurance.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

My 2 cents...

If you are going to report it, be very careful of how you phrase it. Yes, you are describing suspicious behavior...but unless you saw her drinking/shooting/snorting/inhaling, you don't know for certain if she is using. As far as seeing her divert...again, what did you see her with the meds? Unless you witnessed her using the drugs, you don't know if she truly did divert them.

If you report, objectively descrive what you see that makes you suspicious: the pupils, the problems conversing, red eyes, behaviors, whatever. But don't say, "she's using drugs" or "she's under the influence, I'm sure of it" unless you actually saw her using drugs.

Like Esme said, you need to be very sure about reporting before you do it. And you need to be careful about how you do it. You have a very valid concern about a coworker that need to be addressed...but you don't want to set yourself up for a slander suit, nor ruin the career of someone who may be innocent.

Best of luck.

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My honest concern is that someone is on the floor not clear of mind. I don't know how or if altered by meds prescribed etc but I feel it needs attention. I don't even know her last name. I'm meeting w my direct manager Monday to let her know something is weird. Whether she needs a neuro evaluation or med alterations etc. She could be on something for pain prescribed and I have no idea. What I saw w diverting was very clear to the point where if anyone listened to me they easily could've caught her in the act. Also EVERYONE at this establishment has mentioned it to me and more than 4 people today commented on how she's "on something "today. I know this is a sticking situation and I wasn't sure if I could even ask here but I feel so lost. I wants what's best for the patients myself and herself. Even if she just needs a neuro evaluation I want them to help her

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