Co-worker stole my ID

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did you ever use someone elses idenity to steel narcotics form an acudose machine? How did it make you feel when you had to work with that nurse again that you stole her idenity from?

Nicely written

However do we seem to forget that diversion, what a nice term, really means theft, and theft is illegal.

We should also differentiate between those who come in voluntarily for help as opposed those who go boo hoo Im busted feel sorry for me. Once busted, then as far as I can see you should face criminal charges and be forever removed from nursing.

Recovery is for those that want it............not necessarily those that need it. Most BON programs are 3-5 years in duration. Unless and until a participant is able to get past the "boo hoo Im busted feel sorry for me" stage, they won't successfully complete any BON program. The BON programs have very stringent requirements, and employers can add their own requirements (like additional UA's and contracts). The BON and employers have a no tolerance policy for participants who do not strictly adhere to their contracts. Consequences are swift and severe (as they should be). Those who want recovery comply, and get better along the way. Those who don't want to recover ........well, they end up loosing their license, and a whole lot more-including loosing their lives. Wish they all could make it, but more importantly I made it.

I think it is important to note that the program models are designed, in large part, by addictionologists who apply current research for the design of the program. (Addiction is a multifaceted problem, that can include such factors as heredity.) The programs are not run by well wishers and enablers, or we would never get well. You see, I'm not a bad person trying to get good......... I'm a good person trying to stay well.

There have been some pretty strong opinions stated on this thread, and alot of knowledge deficit. Knowledge deficit concerns me for the patients that are entrusted to our care. How can we appropriately address the issue of addiction with patients, when we hold out dated, prejudiced and fear based opinions that are not based in fact? Isn't nursing about evidenced based practice and research to improve quality and effectiveness of care?

Addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer, and we all come into contact with folks who are actively addicted far more than is realized in our personal and professional lives. We all come into contact with folks in recovery too, who may be hospitalized, and require pain management. We have a rare opportunity to support these folks in many care settings, to support their sobriety in a non-judgemental way, rather than ignore the "pink elephant sitting in the middle of the room", and risk a relapse. I realize that some healthcare providers are not emotionally able to give the needed support. I applaud them for acknowledging it and seeking out those who can.

As for me............I made a choice 9 years ago. I made the choice to follow the advice I would have given one of my patients-I went to treatment. I made the choice in treatment to be on the successful side of the statistics, not on the side of failure.

So if you have harsh opinions about me, I understand. That's part of my job........to understand that you don't understand. It is my hope that nurses will educate themselves about addiction so they can better help the folks that they serve.

Best regards in recovery-

Debbie

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congratulations and best wishes, debbie.

your statement of "addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer" caught my eye.

i think the problems people have with nurses being addicts, is the pts entrusted to their care while they were using.

most times when someone is an addict, the immediate family is affected, perhaps friends.

but when a vulnerable population has been victimized by the habits of an addicted nurse/md, that's where you draw the line.

same feelings arise to those pregnant and giving birth to drug-addicted babies.

it's hard not to judge.

even harder to trust.

especially where the nature of addiction is such a gray area.

some say it's a disease; others disagree.

i fully support those who continue in rehabilitating themselves.

it's a lifelong journey.

but from the amt of addictions i have seen in my life, only few are successful.

tazzi mentioned that sexual harrassers can get jobs elsewhere, so why not addicts?

i would say because the nature of a nurse's job, risks others' lives and well-being far beyond the damage inflicted by a sexual harrasser.

again, our pts are the vulnerable ones and the ones who have been affected by someone caring for them impaired.

i think there is alot of knowledge deficit.

i also think there is much to be cynical about.

that is the nature of this beast.

leslie

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Specializes in Lie detection.
Addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer, and we all come into contact with folks who are actively addicted far more than is realized in our personal and professional lives. /quote]

Debbie--

What a great post, thank you for your words and congrats on your recovery.

You said so much but I specifically want to address the above. Some on this forum have voiced their opinion of how they view addicted nurses in a negative light. I just want to say that there are many, many nurses in recovery.

Right now, the majority of you are working with someone who is in recovery. Maybe they're on a different shift than you, on your sister unit, or maybe it's one of your favorite co-workers. The thing is, you probably don't know it.

My point is, it could be anyone because we don't act any different. We do our jobs the same as you. We laugh, we vent, we chit chat, we have families, we are human, just like you.

Put a bunch of recovering nurses in a room and a bunch of nurses that have never used in there with us and mix us all up. You'll never pick out the recovering ones.

Active addiction? Oh yea, you never realize who that hits. You think all of us had "suspect" histories to begin with? Ha! Many of us never did a street drug before in our lives!!! Addiction in health care professionals is a beast of an animal. I understand why people get angry at our actions,what I don't understand is the complete lack of compassion.

Thankfully, the majority of nurses HAVE been great and supportive. Even the ones that are skeptics, do seem to keep an open mind and don't seem to be completely dead set against learning and understanding. For that I thank you all. Even I, took years to learn about my own addiction. I didn't want to believe things about my own self! I know it takes time and I hope that I along with the many other recovering nurses here and elsewhere can continue to make changes.

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Great post, Cat!!!

A couple of years ago a bunch of us were sitting around on a quiet day and the subject of addicted/recovering nurses came up. One person started in with negative stuff similar to what we've read here. I let it go for a while, but then I couldn't take it anymore......all the stuff about how nurses who are addicts and alcoholics aren't good nurses, that we're dangerous, etc. She included recovering nurses in this tirade. The others, who knew my history, just waited. I finally looked square at her and asked her "Are you saying I'm a poor nurse?"

"No, I'm not talking about you."

"You said that nurses with a chemical dependency history are not good nurses. I am a recovering addict. You included me in that comment."

Dead silence.

To reiterate what Cat said: you cannot tell us apart from anyone else. There are wonderful nurses who are in recovery, and there are poor nurses who do not have a dependency problem who should never have been granted a license.

Leslie said:

tazzi mentioned that sexual harrassers can get jobs elsewhere, so why not addicts?

i would say because the nature of a nurse's job, risks others' lives and well-being far beyond the damage inflicted by a sexual harrasser.

Sexual harassers can be just as damaging as a poor nurse. Again, because a nurse has a history of using but is in recovery, does not make him/her an unsafe nurse. A harasser, much like a predator, often repeats the behavior at different jobs.

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Specializes in general med/surg, pediatrics, telemetry.

I am so glad I came across this discussion. I am an RN who is in early recovery(51 days to be exact). Here is a little about me. I am an addict who has tried to get clean since 2001. That is when I was confronted by a very caring nurse manager who knew I had a problem. I entered the impaired nurse program voluntarily because I was never caught diverting. I stayed clean for almost two years. Then I ended up in the hospital with kidney stones hooked up to a dilaudid PCA. After discharge, I relapsed. I have been battling my addiction ever since. I started using heroin on my days off. I continued working without getting caught. I was fired in October of 2006 for being late to work after many verbal and written warnings. In November I tried to commit suicide after being arrested for calling in rx of xanax. My name was in the paper for being arrested(I live in a small town where eveyone knows you). Talk about humiliating. But it wasn't "rock bottom" for me yet. I continued using, had two other suicide attempts, and got arrested again for rx forgery. I was sent to rehab(court ordered) and here I am today.

For the few people that were commenting that are in recovery, you will know what I mean when I say I had a spiritual awakening. I have been fighting this disease for so long, and I am now finally ready to surrender.

I guess according to a few on this discussion, I should lose my license forever and never be able to work again as a nurse. That is your opinion, and you are entitled to it. I just hope addiction never rears its ugly head in your life.

As of today, I am waiting to see if I am eligible for the impaired nurse program. Because I plead guilty to the charges for the rx fraud, my case is under review. I know that I may have my license suspended or be put on probation. But, nursing is all I know. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a nurse when I grew up, not an addict. So I'm willing to do what it takes to continue to practice nursing. I have thought about quitting the field and doing something else, but I feel nursing is my calling. And it is what I want to do.

I'm sure I'll get some negative feedback from a few, but to each their own.

I just want the other nurses in recovery that have been posting to know that you are a good role model to me. Everything that you have said has helped me to feel less bad about being a recovering addict that happens to be a nurse. Thank you!!!

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best wishes for continued success and healing, nursewendii.

given your history treatment then relapse, if you did remain in nsg, do you think you would fare better being restricted from administering narcotics?

leslie

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Specializes in general med/surg, pediatrics, telemetry.

Thanks for your support.

Yes, I definetely don't want to work around narcotics. I know there are alot of jobs out there where there are no or very restricted access to narcs. I have been searching the internet and papers today for jobs that fall into that category. I worked in a detox for two years before that had no narcs. I would like to do work in that area of nursing again.

Again thank you for your support, it means alot!!!;)

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One day at a time, Wendi! Recovery doesn't work unless you're getting clean for you, and it sounds like you're finally there.

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Hi Leslie-

Thanks for your thoughtful reply and your honesty. I happened upon your other post in another thread concerning a nurse who was active in her addiction

https://allnurses.com/forums/2277437-post153.html

and about a family member who struggles with addiction

https://allnurses.com/forums/2277154-post149.html

I'll use those as a point of reference, as it helps me to know what your experience has been to better be able to answer.

The experience you had with the nurse who was in the later stages of addiction, and lack of appropriate response from management, would put anyone on edge. I'm in recovery, and it scares the heck out of me when I hear these stories. Addiction progresses very quickly, so the sooner interventions are made the safer everyone is. I can't stress that enough. Systems are in place to protect the vulnerable, and more can be done, but it is imperative that the systems that are in place are utilized. It's unfortunate that management let it go so long. Everyone around that nurse was unnecessarily traumatized by the experience. There is no justification for that nurse's personal choices, but as an impaired nurse, she was no longer capable of making decisions for herself, let alone patients. I wouldn't trust that nurse. I feel for the folks on the floor she was transferred to. Horrible situation for everyone concerned. As for the drug addicted mom that is giving birth to drug addicted babies..........I can't change what has already been done, all I can hope for is to make a difference to someone, somewhere so that one less baby suffers. As a nurse in recovery, those little babies break my heart and yes, sometimes I get a bit angry too. I can't justify what the mom's have done, but I can offer them a chance to live their life differently and improve their family's quality of life. Should the mom's have consequences for their actions.........you bet! Consequences can sure get someone's attention in a hurry.........ask me how I know! LOL!

But seriously, please understand that the folks in recovery do not wish to defend or justify the actions of active addicts/alcoholics. I think basically both sides of the issue want the same thing-we just have different ways of going about it.;)

With regards to your comment about seeing few successes in recovery with the addictions you have seen in your life, I can't say that has been my experience. I realize you have a family member that is a chronic relapser, and there are those folks who seem to have those difficulties in recovery. I have been active in recovery for 9 years, and have been a facilitator for an Aftercare Program for one of the major rehab facilities in our city for the last 5+ years. In my experience, and published literature will bear this out, one underlying cause of chronic relapse often times is related to undiagnosed mental health issues, such as depression, bipolar disorder, etc. It can also be related to non-compliance with medications for those conditions. Secondly, it is documented that folks that have the most success with recovery are those that were admitted to inpt/outpt treatment programs, and their success rate is directly related to the duration of treatment, attendance in aftercare, and continued attendance of 12 step meetings. Not saying it cannot be done by attending 12 step programs alone, just saying over all success rate is higher when done in conjunction with a treatment program. Accountability is another key factor for success, as are clearly understood consequences. I'm a firm believer in consequences, for without them there would not be motivation for change. Duration of treatment directly relates to the fact that it takes a long time to effectively change thinking patterns and behaviors, and construct effective coping mechanisms, etc. All those things are imperative to relapse prevention. That's why most BON programs are 3-5 years long. Our states pharmacy, physician, and resp therapy are 5 years in duration.... Nursing is only 3 years in AZ. Folks who make it thru the 3-5 year programs normally do very well, in comparison to the general recovery population.

I understand the issues of trust you have, truly I do. A healthy dose of skepticism can be a good thing ;).

I hope I answered everything.......it's really late and I need to get my tired body to bed.:lol2:

Debbie

congratulations and best wishes, debbie.

your statement of "addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer" caught my eye.

i think the problems people have with nurses being addicts, is the pts entrusted to their care while they were using.

most times when someone is an addict, the immediate family is affected, perhaps friends.

but when a vulnerable population has been victimized by the habits of an addicted nurse/md, that's where you draw the line.

same feelings arise to those pregnant and giving birth to drug-addicted babies.

it's hard not to judge.

even harder to trust.

especially where the nature of addiction is such a gray area.

some say it's a disease; others disagree.

i fully support those who continue in rehabilitating themselves.

it's a lifelong journey.

but from the amt of addictions i have seen in my life, only few are successful.

tazzi mentioned that sexual harrassers can get jobs elsewhere, so why not addicts?

i would say because the nature of a nurse's job, risks others' lives and well-being far beyond the damage inflicted by a sexual harrasser.

again, our pts are the vulnerable ones and the ones who have been affected by someone caring for them impaired.

i think there is alot of knowledge deficit.

i also think there is much to be cynical about.

that is the nature of this beast.

leslie

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Well said, Zoo.

Most of the nurses I know in recovery are successful. Several relapsed once, got back into treatment and Diversion right away, and had better success the second time around. I can only think of two who relapsed more than once. Of those two, it took actually losing her license to get clean and stay clean; she was able to get her license back and just completed the BON program.

Recovery doesn't work unless it's done for the individual, not for everyone else, and that is the reason the nurses that I know who relapsed were unable to stay clean. Getting clean was done for someone else: the family, the employer, etc. Although that's how the majority of us start out in recovery, those of us who are successful in staying clean have a spiritual awakening during that time.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
did you ever use someone elses idenity to steel narcotics form an acudose machine? How did it make you feel when you had to work with that nurse again that you stole her idenity from?

No I have never used someones ID nor have I ever stolen meds in any form

Yes I have had to work with a nurse who stole my ID, Yes I have worked with that nurse again. After they got caught forging scripts. Personally, I feel I had been slapped in the face. Then that nurse wanted to be friends with me again. Not once did she ever apologize.

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No I have never used someones ID nor have I ever stolen meds in any form

Yes I have had to work with a nurse who stole my ID, Yes I have worked with that nurse again. After they got caught forging scripts. Personally, I feel I had been slapped in the face. Then that nurse wanted to be friends with me again. Not once did she ever apologize.

I would be upset if I were in your shoes too. Very uncomfortable situation for everyone involved. Too bad they couldn't have scheduled you on different days, or reassigned the nurse to a different area. Do your managers know how you feel?

Debbie

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