Narcotic Use and Diversion in Nursing

Nurses Recovery

Published

http://juns.nursing.arizona.edu/articles/Fall%202002/hrobak.htm

Interesting article; nearly every unit I've visited has a story about diversion.

Narcotic Use and Diversion in Nursing

Mandy L. Hrobak

University of North Carolina Charlotte

Abstract

Narcotic use and diversion in nursing is a growing problem that may be difficult to identify. Clinical indicators can help managers and staff become knowledgeable about signs and symptoms. Areas related to job performance, personality/mental status, and diversion are looked at as indicators. Workplace access and deviant work group norms can contribute to the picture. Certain methods of diversion may be hard to detect. Institutions need to...

Click link above for remainder of article.

Specializes in Psych, hospice,homecare, admin., Neuro,.

Jack your articles are so informative and insightful. You are able to present the facts with a great twist of humor. I just wanted to say thanks, hope you continue to feel better.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Impaired Nurse Advocate, CRNA, ER,.
Jack your articles are so informative and insightful. You are able to present the facts with a great twist of humor. I just wanted to say thanks, hope you continue to feel better.

Thanks Deb, I do my best. Definitely feeling good...just found out I'm going to be a Grandpa in the fall!! Hopefully the birth will happen on the due date (10/10/10) since this recovering addict's brain doesn't always function at full capacity!

wp7f18a883.png

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Congrats Jack - my grandchildren bring us so much joy!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.
Hopefully the birth will happen on the due date (10/10/10)

A very good date indeed....my birthday! Also the day I will be renewing my license for the first time after getting it back! Congrats!!! :yeah::yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Impaired Nurse Advocate, CRNA, ER,.
...the day I will be renewing my license for the first time after getting it back! :yeah::yeah:

A fitting symbol of your rebirth! (Congrats back at ya!!)

Jack

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, hospice,homecare, admin., Neuro,.

Congratulations Jack, wonderful new!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Congratulations, Jack!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Impaired Nurse Advocate, CRNA, ER,.

Thanks folks! It feels pretty good.....and no drugs involved!!!

:lol2::lol2:

Jack

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Congratulations, jack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Impaired Nurse Advocate, CRNA, ER,.

As my brother said (and he's 4 years older than I am, but looks 10 years younger because I've had gray hair for 20 years now) my title matches my hair!!!

Looking forward to this. She's been trying awhile and I've been praying a lot!

Thanks all (again!)

Jack

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in icu,ccu,sicu,crna.

congrats jack! My first is coming in August.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well I can honestly tell you that ive been through the diversion, addiction, working as a nurse and being called off the floor for a drug test, board investigation and entrance into IPN. It is devastating but a life saver for me. It is really sad though that once your coworkers/friends from work find out that your an addict, they shy away from any contact with you. I actually worked at a substance abuse treatment facility and I was treated like a complete criminal when my addiction was brought to light. I always thought that my co-workers would stand by me in my recovery but just the opposite occured. The medical field is very uneducated when it comes to addiction. I learned that the hard way. We are just not taught how the disease works. Its sad. I hold no resentments towards my ex co-workers because of this fact. I am so grateful for my 12 step meetings and my sponsor. I never realized that the 12 step process is about an entire lifestyle change. I always thought it was just focused on the addiction part of things. When it fact its emotions, problem solving, mentorship etc... My sponsor has saved me from myself. I feel so grateful and I feel people like Jack are so important. Jack, your great, you can be someone that is moving forward and shouting the message that people in healthcare DO NOT truely know what addiction is or how to treat it!! We need to educate. I can only hope that advances will not be further off. I can only hope that we will be looked upon as people with a disease instead of a person with a defective character. Thanks Jack for fighting our battle and trying to get the message out there!! We can only hope they will listen....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment