Impaired Nurses...what should you do...

Nurses Safety

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Ok...I want to get a general idea of everyone's opinion.

Lets say you have a nurse who has a really bad health problem ...and that health problem begins to impair their ability to perform their job. Maybe ...its a nurse who is battling CHF....and isnt able to meet the physicial demands of their job.They cant tolerate the high activity level and fast pace and patients needs are not being met.Maybe ..he does not take care of his diabetes type 2.His blood sugar routinely runs over 350- 500.He routinely tries to give himself very high doses of Insulin so he cant eat whatever meal he wants.The problem is....he or she is caring for very sick patients.She isnt compliant with her diuretics and He is not a candidate for an Insulin pump bc...he is noncompliant...and his MD will not agree to it. The Nurse Manager is aware of these health conditions that are severely limiting their ability to work.What should you do? I want your opinion.In the aging population....as we all get older and have these type health problems that may impair our ability to perform our jobs adequately how should our coworkers address this?Of course ..it would not be an issue unless patient care was compromised.As bad as me all may hate it......most everyone has health issues that will EVENTUALLY prevent us from remaining in the jobs we love.How can a coworker help a fellow nurse going thru this?Your loyalties of course are torn...between your love/friensdship with your coworker and your concern over pt safety...How do you address this and show your concern?

Also, this thread started out being about a very specific situation with very specific details such as blood glucose levels and symptoms. I'm sorry if I misunderstood your intent for it to be about illnesses in general.

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Sigh...again, I said that the NM should be informed, and that, if necessary, concerns should be taken further up the chain of command. I also said that incidents should be documented, and that if a nurse found a co-worker to ill to be working and thus a threat to pt. safety, the supervisor should be paged to address the situation. Measures can be taken to ensure pt. safety while upholding HIPAA regulations.

As I said before, the general context of calling a nurse "impaired" implies substance abuse problems.

I don't know what other suggestions you're looking for. I hope someone else can help you.

And I still think that it is inappropriate for a nurse to discuss detailed personal information about one of her co-workers with a friend.

Calm down SJrn....lol.....this coworker...as she states...is very open about their health issues.And as far as details.....they have been altered on this BB.I always "change" mine enough to where it couldnt ever identify anyone.

I am sure...you have gone home and talked over your concerns about a coworker with a family member or friend.We all have.The nurse who came to me...is just...very concerned.As I said there is not a malicious bone in her.But ...as the baby boomers advance in age.....some dont want to leave the jobs they love...even though their bodies are begging them to.It is a bad situation...a sad situation...and with HIPPA laws in place......administration doesnt want to touch that taboo subject of addressing a HC practitioners fading health .But if scenarios were not posted on any of these sites....or narrations to fully explain a question or answer....that does include past experiences of nurses...then no one would receive any benefit from these forums. When I ask for any additional comments .....it doesnt "just" mean from the last person that posted...or anyone I have quoted.

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it doesnt "just" mean from the last person that posted...or anyone I have quoted.

I realize that. I said that just to clarify that based on what you posted, I had no other ideas to offer; I didn't mean for you to infer that I thought you were addressing me specifically.

And no, I really don't go home and talk about co-workers/patients. I try to leave work at work.

Best of luck to you in your search for ways to handle this type of situation. I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help to you.

Good night.

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Also, this thread started out being about a very specific situation with very specific details such as blood glucose levels and symptoms. I'm sorry if I misunderstood your intent for it to be about illnesses in general.

Nothing was deleted from the initial post..only additional info was added to clarify exactly what I was truly asking.This isnt so much about one health issue as much as it is about all health issues.All health issues that can rob us of the energy/tolerance to perform our jobs like CHF, cancer, uncontrolled diabetes...if it impairs our ability to safely meet all of our patients needs.BC as I said...the baby boomers are advncing...I am getting older too....it will be me someday. I will have a very difficult time....leaving nursing.But...when I get to the point where I cant safely perform my job without coworkers having to worry over my prominent health issues....someone....please....step in.Do the right thing..if administration isnt listening ...go to risk management if I wont listen to your heart to heart talk with me.

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I realize that. I said that just to clarify that based on what you posted, I had no other ideas to offer; I didn't mean for you to infer that I thought you were addressing me specifically.

And no, I really don't go home and talk about co-workers/patients. I try to leave work at work.

Best of luck to you in your search for ways to handle this type of situation. I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help to you.

Good night.

sjrn....thank you...I really have concluded...there is no easy answer.And that if it is a patient safety issue she is concerned over....if she brings it up again...and she will....I will tell her to call the risk management dept...if she gets no where after a confidential heart to heart with the coworker.But again...thanks

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I'm closing this for moderator discussion.

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