Impaired staff nurse

Specialties Management

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I believe I have a staff nurse that is impaired. She frequently leaves (at least once a week)to go "see my doctor" to get a shot for headache or some other ailment. It is almost always a narcotic she receives. I document her absences and have been to HR for advice. She is required to give me and HR a note from her doc that she is capable of functioning at her job after the injection. She also in on FMLA I have to give her the time off when she goes to these appointments. I'm very nervous about this person and not sure what else I should be looking for in her behavior. Her co workers are concerned as well. Anyone ever had to deal with an impaired nurse or other staff person? The good thing is we have very few controlled meds on our unit.

Cleo

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Specializes in ICU, tele.

I haven't dealt with this situation before. However, if you contact HR they may have a policy in place to deal with this situation. I know the NY state nurse association has a task force that deals with impaired nurses and I'm sure NH does, too. Contact them for info on how to deal with this situation. Good luck!

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Specializes in Psychiatry/Substance Abuse.

It appears that this nurse has the bases covered. It is good that you are requiring a release from the MD. It will help with accountability. You may want to look at the policy for drug testing. If this nurse has a CD issue there may be something there that there is no prescription for.

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Specializes in ER.

Can you document situations where her care has been substandard? If she is performing up to standard I think any further investigation would be harassment.

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Specializes in ER, Hospice, CCU, PCU.

As well as everything below, are you pulling her Lugs for controlled substances she withdrawls and wastes intermittently to make sure the patient was...1} Orderd the Med. and it wasn't given by someone else

2} The the med was taken out of the Pixis (whatever . system you have}, while the patient was still on the unit.

3}Does she always have the same people waste with her, are they inexperienced or agency staff.?

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I have dealt with many impaired nurses. #1. Watch her like a hawk and document, document, document. #2. If you decide to talk with her about your concerns always have someone from HR with you. #3 If she comes to work impaired pull her off the floor immediately and call HR to be present when you confront her. #5. Yoru state board probably has a program for impaired nurses and it is much better for the nurse if she seeks help voluntarily. Ask them for brochures then put them in you break room or on the bak of the toilet door. Good Luck

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I have dealt with many impaired nurses. #1. Watch her like a hawk and document, document, document. #2. If you decide to talk with her about your concerns always have someone from HR with you. #3 If she comes to work impaired pull her off the floor immediately and call HR to be present when you confront her. #5. Yoru state board probably has a program for impaired nurses and it is much better for the nurse if she seeks help voluntarily. Ask them for brochures then put them in you break room or on the bak of the toilet door. Good Luck

I have had a brush with this as well.

The nurse was diagnosed with a life changing disease. Naturally, her focus was on her health, and lots of mistakes were being made that she normally wouldn't have made. There were frequent written warnings and at the time of her resignation I was about to report her to the board.

It was very hard confronting and keeping her in line during this time. I wanted to be empathetic but I also had to watch out for the patients she cared for. She was very good about bringing M.D. notes and I always referred her to HR and EAP for extra support.

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