I work at a LTC/rehab facility. There's a nurse that works there different shift than me) & there are several of us that have written statements & presented "evidence" (more like speculation) of this nurse stealing meds.
Thing is, nothing is being done. She passed a drug test, & now is having to have her narcs co/signed.....she still has a job. Extensive record, etc. My last day at this place is coming up, but I feel if I leave & don't follow Up, nothing will be done. Why don't people care enough to take care of this situation?? What more can I do?
"The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away."
She did what was required of her; she reported it, and the employer took action.
The OP needs to realize that this occurs; no one is chucked out of a job due to diverting meds; at my employer, they will refer to EAP first along with additional stips and directions if needed; her co worker may be in this position; at the end of the day, it's her co worker-NOT HER.
The OP should be focusing on her new position, be cognizant she did the right thing and remember this quote from her related post:
It frightening how many nurses are willing to potentially devastate another nurse's career over rumor and innuendo. Be careful, OP; unless you have some solid evidence that diversion is occurring, you could endanger your own career getting caught up in taking down the career of another.
I work at a LTC/rehab facility. There's a nurse that works there different shift than me) & there are several of us that have written statements & presented "evidence" (more like speculation) of this nurse stealing meds.
Thing is, nothing is being done. She passed a drug test, & now is having to have her narcs co/signed.....she still has a job. Extensive record, etc. My last day at this place is coming up, but I feel if I leave & don't follow Up, nothing will be done. Why don't people care enough to take care of this situation?? What more can I do?
"The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away."
OK, first this nurse works a different shift than you do, so where's the evidence you witnessed that compelled you to submit a written statement along with these other nurses?
Second, if your employer is forcing this nurse and only this nurse to have all narcotic administrations co-signed obviously something is being done. By the way, how on earth would you know that she even took a drug test much less passed it?
Third, where is your assumption that people don't care enough to take care of this situation even coming from? Unless you are personally involved in the decision making and disciplinary process for this facility you have no idea what is or isn't "being taken care of."
Lastly...you do realize that accusations of diverting can ruin a career don't you? You should be certain, and I mean very certain as in you actually witnessed a nurse diverting before you jump on that bandwagon.
Lastly...you do realize that accusations of diverting can ruin a career don't you? You should be certain, and I mean very certain as in you actually witnessed a nurse diverting before you jump on that bandwagon.
As well as ruining a person's reputation.
15 years ago, I had just begun working on a new unit when a pt's Paxil (a single unit dose tab labeled with pt's name) came up missing from their drawer in med room. No one ever accused me out right, but from the loud snark over the next few days (about happy pills, my 'unusually' good mood, how the pharm tech was in trouble for missing meds), it was clear they suspected I took it.
One of the nurses was friends with my cousin's wife, and obviously told her about it, as that side of the family has treated me differently ever since-and still do 15 years later.
About a week later, it was found in another pt's drawer, but I am sure no one remembers that......
If you have to co-sign for this nurse, then observe yourself, otherwise, decline. I would think that all of the nurses on her shift would be advised to do the same.
Otherwise, to ruin a nurse's career on speculation is just wrong. OP you would behoove yourself to go into your new position not taking into account speculation--which is a fancy word for gossip--regarding other nurses on alternate shifts with whom you have no actual evidence. Believing that in fact co-signing each and every time the nurse gives a narc in long term care is not "something being done" than I am not sure what it is that you would like to see done.
Public stoning is not a viable alternative. However, I would be very, very careful. Speculation can also equal libel, slander and a host of a lot of trouble--if you do not see it with your own eyes, it did not occur. Period.
I work at a LTC/rehab facility. There's a nurse that works there different shift than me) & there are several of us that have written statements & presented "evidence" (more like speculation) of this nurse stealing meds.
Thing is, nothing is being done. She passed a drug test, & now is having to have her narcs co/signed.....she still has a job. Extensive record, etc. My last day at this place is coming up, but I feel if I leave & don't follow Up, nothing will be done. Why don't people care enough to take care of this situation?? What more can I do?
"The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away."
I've seen this several times, and nothing happened.
You've reported it, there's nothing more you can do, unless you call the BON yourself.
LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN
8,429 Posts
I think this is actually the "follow up" post.
She did what was required of her; she reported it, and the employer took action.
The OP needs to realize that this occurs; no one is chucked out of a job due to diverting meds; at my employer, they will refer to EAP first along with additional stips and directions if needed; her co worker may be in this position; at the end of the day, it's her co worker-NOT HER.
The OP should be focusing on her new position, be cognizant she did the right thing and remember this quote from her related post: