Would you be a guardian angel?

Nurses Recovery

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So, I do work as a charge nurse in a very busy surgical unit. As we all know the grapevine shares sometimes too much information be it accurate or not. I've heard ugly statements "lazy, slacker,' about a certain nurse. We have a nurse who over the past few months or so has "evaded" doing drug counts. Has asked for "help" checking in a patient when preop narcs need to be given. I know thru my director that we have challenges with some of our staff (no details). The grapevine say's she was arrested out partying, she shouldn't be around our patients. As I've watched this person is an excellent nurse, works hard, self motivated, actually works circles around the people talking her down. I've stepped in where others put her down. I see a young person under a lot of stress, with a work ethic for patient care is hard to match. She recently pulled me aside, to thank me, I'd been so helpful, and asked me if I'd know of any nurses that had been in trouble. I told her I've seen a lot in my times around the block, I see in you someone who really cares for our patients keep on the track your on and every one wins. I don't know for sure, but I think she being monitored. I couldn't bring myself to reveal that I've been thru TPAPN and survived. Ya know, when ya been on the dark side and turned it around ya see someone "especially" a nurse who needs help, I feel like a guardian angel, to push it forward everyone wins. Peace

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I think you are doing just the right thing by protecting yourself and her. We all know how rumors go. The way you get to stand up for her with the other nurses viewing you as "just another nurse" will go farther for her than if they see you as "just another nurse like her". I know it's terrible, but we must be honest while protecting ourselves too. I think what you are doing is wonderful!

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Specializes in ICU.

Do you realize that ANGEL is not spelled ANGLE? Unless you meant to say Guardian Angle.

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Please pardon my poor spelling my intention was Guardian Angel.

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

I fixed it :)

Good for you!

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It's admirable that you advocate for her. Our coworkers really aren't our friends, and as professionals in recovery who have been through our trials, we must protect ourselves. Besides, if your suspicions are correct, she'll meet nurses in similar circumstances who will provide support, and your advocacy will be more meaningful as a fellow nurse/nurse leader. I'm glad you presented this, as I would have been tempted to disclose at my own peril.

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That's awesome. Sounds like something I would do. I am near the end of my RMA. May 15 was my end date and found out yesterday I have to wait until August for my reinstatement hearing.. I refuse to let them beat me down.. It's was so wonderful to hear that you survived the whole monitoring experience.. Great story. God Bless.

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Specializes in long-term-care, LTAC, PCU.

I have always been very open about the fact that I was being monitored under phmp. Everyone knew anyway because I could not supervise at my job until I was released. There is another nurse I work with who is also in phmp and she wouldn't talk to anyone about it. I think it's a very personal decision. I felt like the more people who knew and the more open I was about it, the less likely I was to make a bad decision in a weak moment. My coworkers have all said that they admire my honesty when I disclose that I am an addict. We have had a good many residents who are addicts themselves. My coworkers are able to gain some insight into the disease of addiction and understand our residents a little better because of me.

I will say that it can backfire on you if you're not careful though. When it was still unconfirmed that I was being promoted to ADON, a few of the younger (jealous) nurses started a rumor that I was using again because one day after working 2 sixteens and a twelve hour night shift I was falling asleep while charting. They went to the DON and told her they thought I was high. The one nurse even went as far as to take a picture of a tournaquit that I had in my pen-bag and send it to my DON. I told the DON she could drug test me any time. Well, that nurse was fired for her accusations and I was promoted to ADON so I think my actions spoke louder than a stupid picture of a tournaquit that I use on a daily basis to start IVs all over the building.

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This is a deep subject. Look at what your higher power did for you. Woot Woot. Go on girl!

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Specializes in long-term-care, LTAC, PCU.

I am blessed! And I thank my higher power on a daily basis. I always make sure that when we get a nurse who is in phmp that I let them know they can still do great things. My thinking is that if I can give people hope in the rooms then why not at work too. I am glad to share my story with any suffering addict.?

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