friend in trouble... looking for your thoughts

[catebsn25]

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

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

No advice, but wishing your friend the best. Spread the word to all you know--smoking pot is NEVER a good idea when you hold a nursing license!

[MichelleRN34, ADN, RN]

No advice but wishing your friend the best. Spread the word to all you know--smoking pot is NEVER a good idea when you hold a nursing license![/quote']

So true

[delawaremalenurse]

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.

"socially acceptable" is a far cry from being professionally acceptable. This person decided to play the odds, more than likely knowing that random drug tests are possible within facilities as a condition of hire, and lost. There are consequences to every decision....this is one that will most likely result in personal and professional detriment.

[townsendtwin]

Smoking marijuana while socially acceptable in some circles, is illegal in nursing circles. Diverting narcotics is definitely illegal. If her drug test is positive she will be terminated and reported to the board of nursing. If she is found guilty of diverting she will be terminated and reported to the board. Holding a nursing license is a privilege to be taken seriously. I'm not going to sugar coat things. The board of nursing will put her through the ringer if she is reported, and rightfully so. She will have to submit to regular drug testing, her license will be suspended, she will have to go to drug counseling, and follow their instructions to the letter. She will have to work very hard to get her license back and future employers will know of her suspension. Protect your license at all costs. You worked very hard to get it. I had a friend who was found guilty of diverting and I don't wish this on my worst enemy. All you can do is be a good friend and a shoulder to cry on. Wishing her the best

[inane]

I read through the thread and am very surprised. I never knew, or would have guessed, that smoking pot as a nurse would be so detrimental (as long as you're not intoxicated on the job, etc.). I have nursing classmates who smoke weed, we've even talked about it in class with our instructor (who was one of the strictest of the clinical instructors) and she never indicated it was a problem. Although I have perhaps misunderstood something because the thought of losing one's license from smoking weed sounds ludicrous to me, and yet the posts here indicate that it's a very serious offense. I am from British Columbia, Canada, if that may be a factor. At any rate, the very best of luck to your friend OP- she must be terrified.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

It is....nursing boards do not take kindly to nurses indulging in illegal activities involving drugs. Period.

[cardiacfreak, ADN]

I read through the thread and am very surprised. I never knew, or would have guessed, that smoking pot as a nurse would be so detrimental (as long as you're not intoxicated on the job, etc.). I have nursing classmates who smoke weed, we've even talked about it in class with our instructor (who was one of the strictest of the clinical instructors) and she never indicated it was a problem. Although I have perhaps misunderstood something because the thought of losing one's license from smoking weed sounds ludicrous to me, and yet the posts here indicate that it's a very serious offense. I am from British Columbia, Canada, if that may be a factor. At any rate, the very best of luck to your friend OP- she must be terrified.

When I started to read your post I was thinking...Are you kidding me? But then I read you were from Canada, so my question is this...Is weed illegal in Canada and if so why would you not think it was a serious offense? Alcohol is legal but driving under the influence is illegal and you can lose your license for that.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Well it seems like she will be in trouble no matter what happens. It sucks but she shouldn't have smoked weed. They could've randomly drug tested her if this never happened. I just hope for your friend's sake she wasn't diverting IV drugs & nothing comes up on the drug test.

[Rnis, BSN, DNP, APRN, NP]

yikes, there has to have been a huge difference in the amount of narcotics she was giving. i have Never heard of that happening. wondering if a co-worker reported a suspicion?

[Emergent, RN]

yikes, there has to have been a huge difference in the amount of narcotics she was giving. i have Never heard of that happening. wondering if a co-worker reported a suspicion?

The dispensing machines, such as Accudose, Pyxis, have programs built into them to track individual usage. Pharmacy receives reports on unusual usage, such as a pattern of giving more narcotics, a pattern of unusual wastes...

[pomm]

Having worked in disability insurance I know that different states look at drug use or alcohol use for that matter differently. I have seen some doctors and nurses have their licenses suspended for 2 years, and immediately let go for being suspected of being under the influence. Some states let folks work right away, after mandatory treatment. Not to be judgemental but if you drink don't ever drive and for goodness sake do not use any kind of drug which is not prescribed, there is too much at stake. I have seen some folks still practicing and they definitely should not be.

[Twoyearnurse]

I think it is amazing that you have already rushed to her side on this. Should it turn out that she was diverting, to feed an ugly habbit perhaps, she will need you more than ever. Addiction is ugly, it robs every good part of a person. If this is the case for her, she will feel stupid, worthless...and many other dark things about herself. All you can do is listen to her, let her know there is always a chance to redeem oneself. Whether it be in nursing or out, there are always second chances. It will depend on how she chooses to receive and view her situation.