"Why are you proud of that ??!!"

Nurses Recovery

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In a few days, I will be celebrating my sobriety bday, the 9th. I have run into some of the staff members that I worked with and made ammends where I could.

Yesterday, I ran into a former co-worker that I had not seen since then, and we talked for a minute and she asked how "it was going now". I told her that I was going to have 9 years clean this month and her comment was "How in the world could you proud of that? Proud of not giving the patients their medicines?! I would not ever be proud of doing something like that!!!"

She didn't listen when I explained that "No, I was not proud of the things I had done, of the medicines I took from my patients, but I was proud of the fact that I have had 9 years working and clean and sober and that I am still alive today."

I know some people's opinions you can't change, but jeez!

Anne, RNC:banghead::banghead:

Specializes in Med Surg, Nursing Administration for SNF.

The ignorance of people never ceases to amaze me. It almost seems as though they view our humility as a weakness. We know better tho, dont we? You've done alot of work to get to where you are, and you are deserving, very deserving of congrats. Thank you for being there for those of us who came behind you. May the promises continue to come true for you!

:yeah:

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

Nine years! omg contratulations!

I know, in my own life, that there are so many supportive people around me at work that when i run into someone that has an attitude like this it makes me feel like i've hit a brick wall.

We have a new ADON of a few months. We also had an RN that was diverting big time. They finally fired her friday but they did not turn her into the BON. i'm very upset about that but thats another thread. anyhoo...one morning a few nurses and this ADON were talking about the nurse diverting. i was sitting there working and just listening when all the sudden she went into a tirade about how it pist her off that part of her license fees had to go "to those drug addicts" and how they didnt deserve to keep their license and work as a nurse. I guess she forgot i was sitting there. you can imagine her face when i slowly turned around and looked at her. she backtracked really fast but the damage was done. at least i know how she feels now and can protect myself. but hearing her opinion made me realize that i often forget there are people out there that arent proud of my sobriety and they have a right to their opinion.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Nursing Administration for SNF.

09.gif

just saw these . . . .

keep up the good work!!!!

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Specializes in Impaired Nurse Advocate, CRNA, ER,.
i often forget there are people out there that arent proud of my sobriety and they have a right to their opinion.
They have a right to their opinion, no matter how wrong it is. There was a time when the prevailing "opinion" was the world is flat. Anyone with basic education knows that's no longer true.

As health care PROFESSIONALS, we're supposed to base our opinions about disease and health care issues on CURRENT scientific and evidence based information. That's the thing that separates a professional from the general public. I have very little patience for a licensed health care "professional" who spews some of the vile and hate laced opinions concerning someone dealing with the disease of chemical dependence. When I hear a comment or tirade similar to the one you mentioned in your post, I ask them if they have a similar opinion about someone dealing with HIV/AIDS. I remind them that we, as health care professionals, don't have the luxury of basing our care on ignorance. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses addresses this and other "thorny" issues,

(http://nursingworld.org/ethicscode/protected_nwcoe813.htm)

statement one of the Code of Ethics states:

  1. "The nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problem."

Hard to argue with that statement. In fact, the ANA goes so far as to say: "The Code for Nurses is not open to negotiation in employment settings..." Follow the links to read the entire code of ethics with interpretive statements.

Jack

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
They have a right to their opinion, no matter how wrong it is. There was a time when the prevailing "opinion" was the world is flat. Anyone with basic education knows that's no longer true.

As health care PROFESSIONALS, we're supposed to base our opinions about disease and health care issues on CURRENT scientific and evidence based information. That's the thing that separates a professional from the general public. I have very little patience for a licensed health care "professional" who spews some of the vile and hate laced opinions concerning someone dealing with the disease of chemical dependence. When I hear a comment or tirade similar to the one you mentioned in your post, I ask them if they have a similar opinion about someone dealing with HIV/AIDS. I remind them that we, as health care professionals, don't have the luxury of basing our care on ignorance. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses addresses this and other "thorny" issues,

(http://nursingworld.org/ethicscode/protected_nwcoe813.htm)

statement one of the Code of Ethics states:

  1. "The nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problem."

Hard to argue with that statement. In fact, the ANA goes so far as to say: "The Code for Nurses is not open to negotiation in employment settings..." Follow the links to read the entire code of ethics with interpretive statements.

Jack

Hey Jack!! I hope you know how much I appreciate your input! Those words helped me SO much!

Thanks!! Anne, RNC :yeah:

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Specializes in Impaired Nurse Advocate, CRNA, ER,.
Hey Jack!! I hope you know how much I appreciate your input! Those words helped me SO much!

Thanks!! Anne, RNC :yeah:

Anytime my friend!

Jack

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Specializes in LABOR AND DELIVERY,MEDSURG.

It's been 6 years for me. Sometimes I think our peers judge us because maybe they see a little of themselves in us. I don't know how you can be a nurse or any other health care professional and not at some point in your career feel like what's the use.There were times when the only difference between me and the people judging me,was the fact that they just hadn't been caught yet. Some food for thought.

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