Nurses Who Are Drug Addicts

Nurses Safety

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I work with a nurse who I suspect is using drugs, and I think she is stealing them from the facility. Of those of you that have encountered this problem, what were the signs and symptoms? Thanks.

Addiction is a disease, addicts cause themselves and their loved ones more problems than anyone can believe. As I write this a family member's ashes were scattered early this AM according to his wishes. Now, we are left to wonder if there was anything else we could have done, any way we could have been more caring, or helpful, or kind, or strong. His suicide note said he could not face another day of torment, so he blew his brains all over his bedroom. His was a mixed addiction, alcohol and drugs. So, even though I know He was in a downward spiral and would never really get well because he could not conquer his demons, I will miss him and wish there was some way we could have had one more day.

Specializes in Lie detection.
The interest in and diversity of replies to this thread indicates a need for a forum devoted to nurse addiction and recovery. Brought this idea to the attention of the administrator.

I completely agree. I belive it's been asked before and denied. i think TPTB think it will become an area where too much medical/legal info is asked but that's why there are mods just like in all other areas.

Drugs and alcohol in nursing have become a serious issue that are not just going to go away. It would be great if the biggest nurses site would also lend it's support as well. Or at least fair shakes to the subject.

Specializes in Lie detection.
Addiction is a disease, addicts cause themselves and their loved ones more problems than anyone can believe. As I write this a family member's ashes were scattered early this AM according to his wishes. Now, we are left to wonder if there was anything else we could have done, any way we could have been more caring, or helpful, or kind, or strong. His suicide note said he could not face another day of torment, so he blew his brains all over his bedroom. His was a mixed addiction, alcohol and drugs. So, even though I know He was in a downward spiral and would never really get well because he could not conquer his demons, I will miss him and wish there was some way we could have had one more day

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Specializes in Pediatrics, ICU, Dialysis.

Originally Posted by burn out

This is why I do not like to work with nor do I think rehabiliated drug users need to be floor nurses.

I am a recovering addict/alcoholic, and a 33 year veteran of nursing. Celebrating 10 years of sobriety, thank God for that! My patients are lucky to have me, and you'd be lucky to work with me.

Specializes in Orthopedic/General Surgery.

As a nurse who worked with a nurse last year who was diverting narcotics I can tell you that I greatly resented being put in that postion of working with that nurse, depending on them at night as integral part of the healthcare team, and not knowing how they put all of their coworkers and patients at risk. I don't care if they are functioning 'normally'. And I would have a hard time ever trusting them again. Of course they didn't mean to do it, and never meant to cause any harm. Just like the drunk driver who injures or kills someone didn't mean to harm anyone. You shouldn't be working under the influence or driving under the influence. My two cents worth being said, I can tell you from personal experience some of the symptoms:

-pink pad/towel on the floor of the shower in the staff bathroom.

-very helpful to the point of doing things for you, without even being asked.

-Wearing long sleeved shirts under the scrub top and NEVER rolling the sleeves up, evem during the messiest of tasks.

-Signing the MAR for nartotics not supposed to give (LVN=no IV narcs.)

-Stable pts. not on pain meds for days then all of a sudden getting them as often as ordered.

-Narcotics taken out on your patients that you don't know about/didn't give.

-Taking PCA syringes out on patients already discharged. (Profile stays in the machine for a while after D/C).

-Frequent trips 'downstairs' or frequently disappearing for any length of time.

-taking the 'wrong' narcotic out, 'putting it back' and then the next person to take the 'wrong' one out creats a discrepancy.

-VERY hyperactive behavior.

I reported it and would do so again if necessary to protect my patients and coworkers. I'm all for recovery, etc., etc., but why should I now have to cover a recovering addict for all narcotics admin. on his/her patients when I have my own patients to cover, any LVN's, on the floor, and agency nurses (who aren't allowed to access the nacotics). Seems to me better for everyone concerned to get help, get in recovery, and then return to work in a setting free of all narcotics. Sorry this is so long. Still traumatized over last years events.

Definitely report your suspicions to your NM and let her or him follow up.Their are many warning signs,but most you don't see until you look back and go " Doh!",frequently absent from floor or frequent bathroom trips,their pt's consistently need pain meds the most when they work,always willing to give pain meds for other nurses to "help them out". But sometimes the signs are the most innocent thing and have no bearing to drug use,ex:worked with a nurse who was in the bathroom every hour on nights,CN reported suspicions and it turned out she had urinary issues and had to straight cath herself!

:angryfireAs for the poster that feels she can judge others let me say this,only God and myself can judge what I have done and unless you can walk on water you don't fall into that category! I have been clean and sober for 18months amd have fought every inch of the way to regain myself,my life, and my career.I will soon be returning to nursing and will treat my pt's and license like gold.Their but for the grace of God go I, you never know what will happen in your life,you may dismiss recovering nurses as unworthy,but what about the nurse that may give negligent care and not think twice because they don't care,or the nurse that may abuse their family at home and you have no clue when you work with them! Recovering addict nurses have bleed sweat and tears to keep uor license and work under such stringent rules that most non addict nurses would crack under them.

I just hope someday when you need someone's forgiveness they don't judge you too harshly:nono:

Specializes in Lie detection.
Their but for the grace of God go I, you never know what will happen in your life,you may dismiss recovering nurses as unworthy,but what about the nurse that may give negligent care and not think twice because they don't care,or the nurse that may abuse their family at home and you have no clue when you work with them! Recovering addict nurses have bleed sweat and tears to keep uor license and work under such stringent rules that most non addict nurses would crack under them.

I just hope someday when you need someone's forgiveness they don't judge you too harshly:nono:

You make very good points and I completely agree with you when you say "you never know what will happen in your life".

How true that is. None of us in recovery ever planned to become addicts. It really can happen to anyone.

Congrats on 18 months Clean and keep moving forward!!!

Specializes in Orthopedic/General Surgery.

Funny how words can be twisted around. I never said drug addicted nurses aren't worthy. I said get help, get in recovery, and then get a nursing job where there isn't a need to be exposed to narcotics. Of course all those things are true. No one ever knows everything that is going on is someones life. Of course deliberately negligent or abusive nurses should be reported and take the consequences. Everyone should no matter what the situation. Why would someone want to go back to work where there are narcotics readily available all the time? To prove they are more worthy because they are having to fight the temptation to keep from falling off the wagon? I'm sure the drunk driver never meant to become an alcololic and end up killing the little kid at the bus stop. I'm sweating bloody tears trying to keep my license under the load of responsibility I have. Does that make me less worthy than the nurse who has abused the trust placed in them by their patients, coworkers, families, administration, america?

Specializes in Lie detection.
Funny how words can be twisted around. I never said drug addicted nurses aren't worthy. I said get help, get in recovery, and then get a nursing job where there isn't a need to be exposed to narcotics. Of course all those things are true. No one ever knows everything that is going on is someones life. Of course deliberately negligent or abusive nurses should be reported and take the consequences. Everyone should no matter what the situation. Why would someone want to go back to work where there are narcotics readily available all the time? To prove they are more worthy because they are having to fight the temptation to keep from falling off the wagon? I'm sure the drunk driver never meant to become an alcololic and end up killing the little kid at the bus stop. I'm sweating bloody tears trying to keep my license under the load of responsibility I have. Does that make me less worthy than the nurse who has abused the trust placed in them by their patients, coworkers, families, administration, america?

KM I don't think anyone was trying to twist words around and this is definitely a sensitive subject. It's understandeable that you have been hurt by this in the past.

Many times nurses in recovery do *not* return to working back around narcs. Or have limited exposure like myself. Sometimes they do, it just depends on circumstances. Its not always feasible to say that a nurse in recovery should never, ever work around narcs again. I understand the burden it places on coworkers for 6 months or so to have to give out that nurse's narcs but usually the recovering nurse will trade off duties and do something for you in exchange. The nurse is 1000 x mortified to be around you and the rest of the staff, believe me. Every shift is like torture, having to prove themselves to nurses that despise them. You can never imagine.

If you are sweating bloody tears trying to keep your license (and not really sure why you are doing that?) then the recovering nurse is flogged daily trying to keep hers. Giving urines 1-3x week. Monitoring reports, multiple support meetings,NA,AA, EAP,oh and the $$ . The recovering nurse pays dearly, financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

No I'm not writing this to invoke any empathy. Just info, thats all.

Specializes in Acute Hemodialysis, Cardiac, ICU, OR.

Not to mention, I have seen Board Orders in Texas that explicitly state the nurse has to work providing hands-on care in some very specific settings -- no paperwork jobs allowed (insurance, case manager, education). So jobs that don't have ANY access to narcotics are not an option, unless they want to give up their license altogether.

I say more power to them, and I provisionally trust someone until they give me reason not to.

Specializes in Orthopedic/General Surgery.

You know I never thought about it like that. I never knew the restrictions. And yes, I still feel violated. Sweating bloody tears was just a figure of speech for how hard nurses work today what with the patient loads and the fact that patients are sicker now and Press Gainey scores, etc. We all work hard to function at the highest level possible and still try to accommodate everyone's needs. Earlier, thinking about having to supervise a recovering nurse on top of all the other responsibilities felt like just too much to ask. A busy Ortho/Surg floor is already filled to capacity with work. Everyone wants everything at the exact same time and they just added a new piece of paperwork, the DVT screening tool, lol.

Specializes in Trauma acute surgery, surgical ICU, PACU.
As a nurse who worked with a nurse last year who was diverting narcotics I can tell you that I greatly resented being put in that postion of working with that nurse, depending on them at night as integral part of the healthcare team, and not knowing how they put all of their coworkers and patients at risk. I don't care if they are functioning 'normally'. And I would have a hard time ever trusting them again. Of course they didn't mean to do it, and never meant to cause any harm. Just like the drunk driver who injures or kills someone didn't mean to harm anyone. You shouldn't be working under the influence or driving under the influence. My two cents worth being said, I can tell you from personal experience some of the symptoms:

-pink pad/towel on the floor of the shower in the staff bathroom.

-very helpful to the point of doing things for you, without even being asked.

-Wearing long sleeved shirts under the scrub top and NEVER rolling the sleeves up, evem during the messiest of tasks.

-Signing the MAR for nartotics not supposed to give (LVN=no IV narcs.)

-Stable pts. not on pain meds for days then all of a sudden getting them as often as ordered.

-Narcotics taken out on your patients that you don't know about/didn't give.

-Taking PCA syringes out on patients already discharged. (Profile stays in the machine for a while after D/C).

-Frequent trips 'downstairs' or frequently disappearing for any length of time.

-taking the 'wrong' narcotic out, 'putting it back' and then the next person to take the 'wrong' one out creats a discrepancy.

-VERY hyperactive behavior.

I reported it and would do so again if necessary to protect my patients and coworkers. I'm all for recovery, etc., etc., but why should I now have to cover a recovering addict for all narcotics admin. on his/her patients when I have my own patients to cover, any LVN's, on the floor, and agency nurses (who aren't allowed to access the nacotics). Seems to me better for everyone concerned to get help, get in recovery, and then return to work in a setting free of all narcotics. Sorry this is so long. Still traumatized over last years events.

I agree with everytjing you wrote. Well said.

When it happened on my unit (years ago), management "knew" but she had not been caught in the act. So when they confronted her, she was able to deny it, and our union (GRRR) supported her in her fight to return to work. It was a big "open secret" that we had am impaired nurse on the unit. We were ALL sick and frightened every time we worked with her. I would go all day with no break sometimes, just so I wouldn't risk her near my patients. We all kept an eye on her patients. One day a pt with PCA morphine lost all pain control, and had to be aneasthetized and have an epidural put in to get his pain back under control - she mixed his PCA with only saline.

I can never forgive these events. I cannot forgive the nurse in question, and I cannot forgive my management for not dealing with it more effectively.

And yes, I do know that "addiction is an illness". This nurse was pressured so much that she eventually quit and became someone else's problem. Then she killed herslf by overdose (left a note) IN her new workplace supply room. Maybe if managers had better dealt with it in the first place, that could have been prevented. We'll never know.

Knowing that these impaired and addicted nurses are in their own struggle does nothing to lessen the upset that happened in my own workplace when patients were in jeopardy, and staff were unfairly placed in a position of protecting our own and someone else's patients from harm.

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