Can a nurse come to work after taking a benzodiazepine?

CVmursenary · May 2, 2011

this has been asked so many times....if you are prescribed something you are allowed to use it in the workplace. It is up to your judgment to know if you can work safely taking whatever drug it may be.

Vanillanut, DNP, RN, APRN · May 2, 2011

Despite potentially possibly being legally allowed to work, I would caution against it, because should (God forbid) anything go wrong during that shift at the nurses' fault, it won't really matter. They'll go after your license anyways.

ANNIENURSEANGEL · May 2, 2011

Dont take any chances. If you have to use the medication, call out.

Chin up · May 2, 2011

You should do a search on here. There are threads, that deal with this and go deep into this issue. You will find wise words already spoken. All I will say now, the issue is not black and white. Few are, so go read and make up your own mind. I don't know how to post a link on my iPad yet, or would have done it for you. Peace!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 2, 2011

Chin up said:

You should do a search on here. There are threads, that deal with this and go deep into this issue. You will find wise words already spoken. All I will say now, the issue is not black and white. Few are, so go read and make up your own mind. I don't know how to post a link on my iPad yet, or would have done it for you. Peace!

Well said.....the key word is impaired....Are you impaired? Why do you NEED it at work......Do you absolutely need it to work.......it is very convoluted .....

merlee · May 2, 2011

Many people take meds for anxiety. Would I work the very first day I was taking it? Probably not. But if it was long-term, that is another situation entirely.

The issue here is never clear and needs to be thought about intensely.

Best wishes.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 2, 2011

My former coworker has been taking Klonopin 0.5mg daily for the past 20+ years under the direction of her physician for anxiety. It has not affected her ability to obtain and maintain employment. She has a prescription for the medication and notifies all potential employers that she routinely takes it.

If the nurse has a prescription and the medication is not affecting his/her ability to safely practice, there should be no issues.

RNTOBE_1970 · May 2, 2011

It needs to be disclosed to your employer. There may be an HR policy against it.

elkpark · May 2, 2011

this has been asked so many times....if you are prescribed something you are allowed to use it in the workplace. It is up to your judgment to know if you can work safely taking whatever drug it may be.

Apparently, this is varies among states -- there have been people here who have posted that the BONs in some states specifically forbid nurses working on psychoactive drugs, even with a legit Rx.

Personally, I agree with Vanillanut -- I wouldn't take the chance. If anything went wrong at work, even with a Rx, it would be hard to prove that you weren't impaired if you had something in your system. But that's just a personal opinion.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 2, 2011

I and another nurse take prescribed Ativan. She is able to function at work fine. I on the other hand take it at bedtime and do not go to work because it makes me drowsy. Point being is that everyone tolerates the drug differently.

frogginit · May 2, 2011

If its prescribed for a valed medical reason and you tolerate it without comprimising your actions then I would use the medicine as directed. Some people have severe anxiety and need the medicine end of story. If it effects you in a adverse way try something non narcotic like buspar when at work.