Drug Abuse Among Us??

Nurses Safety

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nrsrachett74

7 Posts

During some of the posts I belive that some posters beleive people have made choices, and there are consequences for it...Absolutely.

But I think there is more to the situation than a person who is "just a drug addict/alcohol"

My father is an alcoholic...will that make me one? Perhaps-Perhaps not.

(and that may be essential learned behavior.)

I just want to applaud the people who have given their stories as well as admitted that htey do have a problem (this is just the beginning).

Another point that someone did raise is how to identify an impaired nurse/physician. Part of my studies included a lecture on the impaired nurse, If one of us became impaired, what is impaire according to state law.

You can have a cold, must go to work b/c you have noe sick time, need the money, and take extra strenth Benadryl...does thta make a nurse impaired, and if so, should their licensed be revoked, or put on probation.

This was one of the stories I did hear about "impaired" nurses (The nurse kept their license.)

Another point that was made is that we, as nurses do not always take care of ourselves-mentally, physically-leaving us vulnerable to the destructive desires, and a lot of people do not see it coming. if there can be a solution, I believe that employers, esp. nurse managers should step in and promote and treat their employees to wellness activites (massages, etc.). It may or may not be a deterrent, but nurses are so battered and abused that any thing promoting a positive and respectful thank-you is what i think any nurse is entitled to for devoting themselves to this profession.:)

Good comment but you know that will never happen.....Nurses do not take care of themselfs no matter what the cost.....THAT IS WHAT EVERYONE EXPECTS FROM THEM!!!!!

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Good comment but you know that will never happen.....Nurses do not take care of themselfs no matter what the cost.....THAT IS WHAT EVERYONE EXPECTS FROM THEM!!!!!

This might sound "shelfish"..But I will take care of myself..or at least try.:)

nrsrachett74

7 Posts

This might sound "shelfish"..But I will take care of myself..or at least try.:)

No its not selfish....by no means.....and i will try to take care of myself too but it sure did cost me a whole heck of lot before i realized that i needed takin care of too..... :coollook:

all this really makes me think twice about all the times i've witnessed waste in the pyxis and then walked out of the room and not actually witnessed the other rn waste the meds... there are so many demands on our time that actually taking the 2 minutes to stand and watch your colleagues draw up and waste just seems like an eternity and a waste of time. when dealing with narcs is routine, i guess we all get blase about it. re-thinking the seriousness of our situation here...

z's playa

2,056 Posts

all this really makes me think twice about all the times i've witnessed waste in the pyxis and then walked out of the room and not actually witnessed the other rn waste the meds... there are so many demands on our time that actually taking the 2 minutes to stand and watch your colleagues draw up and waste just seems like an eternity and a waste of time. when dealing with narcs is routine, i guess we all get blase about it. re-thinking the seriousness of our situation here...

Totally off topic.....but your username made me chuckle. :chuckle I'd love to hear the story behind that one someday. :p

psycnurse

1 Post

Am I that nieve?? A nurse on my unit was arrested for"drug diversion" Is this rampant among us?? I know we have all taken the occasional tylenol from work, but controlled substances ??

I first became aware of it about 15 years ago when a nurse I worked with was caught stealing narcotics. The DON came and took my med cart away and did not tell me what the problem was. It scared the life out of me.I thought they were investigating me!! It's really a sad thing because it places suspicion on all nurses.

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
I first became aware of it about 15 years ago when a nurse I worked with was caught stealing narcotics. The DON came and took my med cart away and did not tell me what the problem was. It scared the life out of me.I thought they were investigating me!! It's really a sad thing because it places suspicion on all nurses.

Thats one of the sad things about drug stealers, They have no care or concern about anyone around them except for their own little needs. And if they dont care or take concern for you, why should we be concerned for them. Except for the problems encountered by their actions.

True Story here coming up

A nurse at work had a grand mal seizure. Now every nurse in there went to help. One nurse went to the narcotic lock box to get some valium in case. However it turned out she helped herself to other meds as well. Taking advantage of a situation and showing a clear disregard for her co workers.

Very sad

Totally off topic.....but your username made me chuckle. :chuckle I'd love to hear the story behind that one someday. :p

homer simpson's dad- "i didn't die in wwII to be held hostage by some pill hoarding hussy!" re the ltc rn. haha.

JWaldron

94 Posts

Thats one of the sad things about drug stealers, They have no care or concern about anyone around them except for their own little needs. And if they dont care or take concern for you, why should we be concerned for them. Except for the problems encountered by their actions.

>snip

I don't think this is always true. Sometimes thee is a terrible feeling of guilt too, but the drive/''need' for drugs is so strong that it overrides conscience. That's part of the tragedy. Nobody wakes up and thinks "guess I'll be an addict today." It's a terrible disease which injures everyone around the sufferer. I think an earlier poster said that nurses and doctors are as likely as the populace at large to be alcoholic When I was in grad school my focus was on substance abuse mgmnt., and I remember learning that nurses (and other caregiver types, including cops and firefighters) were TWICE as likely as the general population to be alcoholics or abusers of other substances, and that a large number (don't remember the percentage and don't want to make one up) are the children of alcoholics, often the 1st born. If you were a caretaker as a kid, why not as an adult? I know it's true of quite a few of the nurses I know. And an amazing # of us seem to talk a lot about drinking, or maybe that was just when I worked in the ER? No it wasn't, tho there was more talk like that there.

Savvy

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

I am an Addict

I am addicted to golf

who needs anything else in life

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
I am an Addict

I am addicted to golf

who needs anything else in life

SEX!!!!

(and how many children do you have, Tom?)

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
SEX!!!!

(and how many children do you have, Tom?)

7 kids 5 boys 2 girls from my wife

13 grandkids or TNTC

There are a few more from previous uhh relationships

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