Coming to work after taking a narcotic?!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

A CNA injured herself (not on the job) ...it was her hand. She comes to work ,sits down and says "oh man I need another Vicodin, my hand is hurting...I took one before I left and I am feeling sleepy now , but Ill be okay" She says she had a script from her doctor. In my experience , Vicodin always knocks me out when I have had to take it for a broken bone or something....but anywoo do you think this is acceptable? What would you have done?

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Specializes in Family NP, OB Nursing.

I know personally, I cannot work and take narcotics. I'm one of those people who feels hung over from 1 Vicodin for at least 12 hours. I could probably take 1 the night before and be okay at work, but I'd still feel slightly off, but then I can't even take Bendadryl for sleep because I'm still sleepy 8 hrs later. Meaning, even if I had an Rx for the drug, I wouldn't use it prior to going to work. On the other hand, I've given narcs to patients, healthy postpartum moms, and they've never slept, so that reaction is individualized.

If you're asking what I would have done if my CNA came in stating she was sleepy from taking a Vicodin AND saying she needed another one, well I'd probably send her home. I'd rather work my butt off and KNOW my patients/residents were being well cared for than worry about it all night.

I'd only send her home because she admitted she was taking Vicodin, which is okay, I mean she has an Rx, BUT since she admitted that it was in some way impairing her I would feel it was my duty to protect my patients as well as my license.

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Specializes in Women's Health.

send her home

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Check your employer's policy.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Impaired is impaired, whether or not the drugs are prescription or otherwise.

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

This sounds like a serious injury. I would not allow this unfortunate CNA to risk even more compromise to the hand. The CNA needs to obtain a statement from her doctor releasing her to work and in what capacity.

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Specializes in ER.

If she is ill enough to take narcotics, she is too ill to work.

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Specializes in LTC.

I have had to send a CNA home due to effects of loratab or just feeling ill. No biggie. What is the point of working if you are mentally impaired, injured, or sick.

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maybe she built a different threshhold compared to the rest if she has taken narcotics before. But to be on safe side send her home like others said

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Specializes in LTC.

All people react differently to narcotics, When i take a percocet, i can't sleep! But as stated above, she shouldn't be working yet. her hand may sustain further damage, making the situation worse. I say that you discuss it with her that she should stay home for a few days and put some ice on it. That is so dangerous having a CNA with only one hand, how is she going to move patients without risking injury to both herself and the pt?

Anyway, she sounds like a hard worker, i wish her a full recovery. :)

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Specializes in OB, ER.

It just like coming to work after drinking. Yes drinking is legal but that doesn't mean it appropriate to do right before work. Besides how did she get to work? She shouldn't be taking vicodin and driving either.

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I agree with weezy. The CNA knows that if she calls off the majority of the facility will behave like children and begin to tear her up for it. Best she come in and let a supervisor make the call on whether she can work or not.

Narcs, are totally individual. Vicodin = tylenol for me. My issue is with her hand. Bad injury? or enough pain where she might drop a patient.

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