friend in trouble... looking for your thoughts

Nurses Recovery

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Specializes in Addictions, Adult Psych.

One of my best friends (we graduated nursing school together) is going through a really tough time. She works on a med/surg floor in a hospital in New Hampshire and has been there almost 2 years, with no incident. At the end of her 12 hour overnight shift a few days ago, she was approached by management and security and was escorted off the floor directly to take a drug test. Her manager informed her that the amount of IV pain meds she gave to her patients was higher than all of the other nurses and they believed she was diverting the meds. She has never stolen anything from her patients or the hospital, especially IV meds so that is not what she is worried about. I guess she had smoked marijuana at a party within the last few weeks, so it is possible that she will test positive for that on the test. She is aware that she shouldn't have smoked, but never anticipated this at the time. Have any of you ever gone through this or know someone who has? I'm trying to comfort her but I don't know what to say. She won't get the results until Monday and has to work between now and then and is mortified to face her co-workers...

Thanks for your time

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

Wow....just be a good friend....this is why it is never a good idea to indulge in anything illegal.

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Wow....just be a good friend....this is why it is never a good idea to indulge in anything illegal.

I agree and she still may have to go through a drug treatment program for testing positive for an illegal substance. Or even self report but I'm not sure about that.

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shoot, hopefully will be long enough and little enough.......

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Specializes in Addictions, Adult Psych.

that's what i'm hoping for her sake... she is an excellent nurse, and i feel terrible thinking about everything that could come from this mistake for her. i'm just trying to be supportive and try to keep her from freaking out before she gets the results back. no use in worrying about anything that hasn't happened yet. i've learned from her mistake... not that i was planning to smoke marijuana, but if i'm ever in that situation this will definitely be in the forefront of my mind.

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Specializes in ER.

Just to be the Devil's advocate, there is a possibility that your friend was diverting. I can imagine that a person might bring drugs home to use recreationally, and not test positive for that substance after a 12 hr night shift. You already know she smokes pot.

People usually tell their friends and family that they are innocent, when accused of wrongdoing.

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Specializes in Addictions, Adult Psych.

that is a possibility... she has been open with me about her drug use in the past, so i believe her if she says she wasn't doing it. going from smoking pot to using IV pain meds is a big jump though, i feel like i would have noticed.

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Specializes in ER.
that is a possibility... she has been open with me about her drug use in the past, so i believe her if she says she wasn't doing it. going from smoking pot to using IV pain meds is a big jump though, i feel like i would have noticed.

Admitting to smoking pot is a far cry from admitting to stealing drugs from a hospital. Pot is socially acceptable in many circles. Stealing drugs is taboo.

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This is unfortunate. I wish her the best of luck.

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Specializes in LTC, Management, MDS Nurse, Rehab.
Admitting to smoking pot is a far cry from admitting to stealing drugs from a hospital. Pot is socially acceptable in many circles. Stealing drugs is taboo.

It may be socially acceptable but I lost my license just the same.

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that is a possibility... she has been open with me about her drug use in the past so i believe her if she says she wasn't doing it. going from smoking pot to using IV pain meds is a big jump though, i feel like i would have noticed.[/quote'] If she tests positive for marijuana she may have to go before the board since it is an illegal substance. And possibly lose her job even if she wasn't found diverting. And some people divert to sell the drugs not for personal use. Continue to be there for her because she may need a good and understanding friend come Monday.

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You're making a commitment and sacrifice when you go into nursing. I wish your friend all the best.

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