Can any RNs tell me if this is true

Carmeceia911 · Jul 10, 2005

i am happy that someone agrees with my statement. I have been on the other end with a friend. She was a CRNA and I did not have a clue. She was taking various drugs. She lost her husband a few years back and her psych doctor thought it was necessary to easy her pain with meds. Of course, she tried to forget but the drugs only put her in a depressive state and a dependency on the drugs. She was eventually fired after several attempt's by her employer to deviate the problem.

:sniff:

I was so happy to read your post and know that the nursing profession wasn't being completely duplicitous- yes, we do everything possible to alleviate the pain of our patients, but lord knows we can't endorse the same thing for our colleagues!
Three cheers for your state BON.

scooterRN52 · Jul 13, 2005

Maybe I shouldnt be giving direct patient care but I really have no choice but to work with back problems. I have 2 kids to support and no other alternative income.
But what I am asking is can she really lose her license for letting me work on narcotics? I find that very hard to believe.

A nursing assistant works under the direct supervision of a RN, therefore they are working under their license and yes the RN is totally responsible for

the NA and she could lose her license if she didn't send her home while work

ing under the influence of a narcotic.

NEWBETHRN · Jul 13, 2005

I am currently a nurse aide at a nursing home waiting to attend nursing school. The other night the RN supervisor made me go home because I am takeing vicodin (prescribed by my doctor) for my back. She said her license could be pulled because she is letting me work on a narcotic. Is this really true, also are RNs allowed to work on narcotics?? Because I know she has taking pain meds before at work. Thanks

No one should be providing care while taking narcotics. They can impair your judgement and create dangerous situations for patients.

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Jul 13, 2005

ZASHAGALKA,
Don't you think that you are trying to walk on water? Have you honestly never taken something for pain before coming to work. You make it sound like you have no ailments.
Yes, I agree with you that it is a liability to come to work with a narcotic in your system. But as the person who posted this thread stated, she is a single parent with no other income. And to say if she can't handle things now, how is she going to do so as a nurse is a slap in the face.

I have honestly never taken anything stronger than ibuprofen before working. And by before, I mean 12 hrs before and all during.

And while I might have empathy for someone trying to support their children, my professional empathy first extents the patients I have a contractual relationship to protect.

I'm prepared to say that how a nurse treats this issue is between them and the board subject to the fact that they do not appear impaired at work - because if reported (and co-workers have an obligation to report suspicion of impairment), then that nurse will have to justify their decisions/actions/ behaviors/appearances.

But somebody working under my license is a different story. The OP asked if it were true if an RN could lose their license if the CNA was on Vicodin. That's a specific question and the answer is: yes, if the CNA is impaired and makes a mistake and the RN knew that CNA was on narcotics and/or impaired. So, who makes that decision? The RN! With delegation comes responsibility.

~faith,

Timothy.

Ralph C. · Jul 16, 2005

I am currently a nurse aide at a nursing home waiting to attend nursing school. The other night the RN supervisor made me go home because I am takeing vicodin (prescribed by my doctor) for my back. She said her license could be pulled because she is letting me work on a narcotic. Is this really true, also are RNs allowed to work on narcotics?? B
Get a copy from the BNE State Nursing Board Regs. States" A Nurse Cannot"
be under the influence of any narcotic while acting as an RN. Also, you are
deligated under her license to do what you are doing. If you screw up a patient, she is responsible. If she is taking narcotics while being an RN, call
the 800 number and report her, she will then get to go before the Nursing
Board for violating rules. This rule also acts to protect patients from those
who drink alcohol and go to work. If the police officer does not get you, one
would hope that the hospital or nursing home would stop you from laughing
at aunt Do Be Do, and not meeting her needs, when she crys out to you for help. Say No to Drugs!!!
Thanks! Ralph