RN's w/chronic pain, using narcotics

Hello, SRbear,

I am so very sorry about the pain in your life.

Yes, this is in violation just about anywhere. You are considered working under the influence and a danger to the wellfare of your patients AND yourself.

I hope you can find some peace and be free from this pain......

There is a misconception out there that those who need narcs to control pain are automatically 'impaired', which is totally untrue. I do know of some nurses who work with duragesic patches, etc...for chronic pain conditions (endometriosis and pelvic pain, severe arthritis) Some facilities and areas of the country are more open minded than others.

So far I'm getting along with Tramadol but eventually I will need narcs too and will be in the same predicament. We have some nurses on this BB who take non narcs at work, and take the narcs at night to relax and sleep... to keep their employers happy. If you do a search, you should find a few other threads where this was discussed.

Good luck to you...if we can meet the job description, have a valid RX, and are not impaired, there shouldn't be a problem IMHO, (but it is for many, sadly) The impaired nurse who diverts narcs is an stereotype. Nurses who occasionally use Vicodin for their arthritis,, for example, are the first suspects when the narc count is off.

Personally I'd like to see some lawsuits filed, through the ADA, on this issue of nurses in chronic pain who need narcs to function. Seems discriminatory the way nurses are treated in this matter. Don't we have a right to control our pain???

Best wishes and hope things work out for you!

[quote=siri]Hello, SRbear,



Yes, this is in violation just about anywhere. You are considered working under the influence and a danger to the wellfare of your patients AND yourself.



This is totally NOT true. People that are on routine doses of narcotics are NOT impaired. I have had patients that were taking massive doses of narcotics and have been for a long time. They are clear enough to be able to drive and work in all kinds of businesses. The amount of medication is what controls their pain and maintains them. After they've been on the same dose for a long period of time, the drug does not effect their cognition. The problem this nurse might encounter is in finding a job because many jobs are going to test for narcotics. If she has made an agreement with a supervisor ahead of time to let them know about the problem, they could let it go. More than likely securing a job working in a hospital on the floor would be difficult. There are other nursing jobs to be had.

I have had chronic pain for many years. I have found nothing that helps me. However, when I was searching for relief I considered this issue. Narcotics and opoids DO NOT make a chronic pain sufferer high. If I had found meds that helped me I would not tell my manager or coworkers. Unless it affected my performance , it is none of their business. I don't know how you would deal with this though if your employer did drug testing. I got my intermittent use of sick time covered through FEMLA---so I cannot be harassed about using sick time. If other work issues came up, My Nurse Practictioner was willing to stand up for me (ADA).

A friend of mine was required to submit to a drug test at work and had a script for Tylenol #3 from a dental procedure. When she had the test she mentioned it to the employee health nurse and got no response. My friend had to INSIST this be reported in order to avoid the potential of immediate dismissal for a 'failed' test. Seems to me this is a scapegoat situation employers use...and is very unfair. I've heard of this happening to other nurses as well.

MDfog10, have you used the ADA for protection due to narc use? I would be very interested how you and your NP handled this, as I anticipate being in similar situations in time and haven't an idea how to successfully handle it.

Hi Mattsmom81,
Narcotics have not helped my chronic pain , so I have not had to persue the issue. If FEMLA did not exist I probably would have to investigate a ADA case(to deal with the harrassment/discipline that comes with using your sick time.

take care

I checked the NYS NPA. It is not addressed in their NPA. And I doubt it is ib any other one. W@hat is, is the term moral wrong doing. Employers can set their own rules however.

Grannynurse