Curiosity..

[LittleMissVixen410]

Hey fellow healthcare professionals,

i got to skimming through these recovery threads and I had some questions.

1. Did you have addictions prior to nursing, or were there diversion situations that created or propelled your addiction?

2. Did it get to the point where it impaired your job and thinking, or did you feel guilty and self-report?

3. Were you ever caught diverting, etc?

I'm asking because I'm on multiple opiates and narcotics for chronic pain. I have never diverted and I take my prescribed amount. I function fine, because I've been on these meds forever. My company is aware I take them (on initial hire you have to do your drug screen and physical and provide your medication list). So, out of curiosity, am I, as a RN not supposed to be taking my prescribed medication on-duty even though it has no impairment on my abilities as a nurse? Also, am I supposed to report this to the BON? I didn't realize there were so many nurses in recovery - while I take what I'm prescribed and that is it, I didn't know if there were rules for that too.

Sorry if this sounds ignorant, I just wanted someone who had experience to let me know if I'm ok.

[catmom1, BSN, RN]

I have to agree with what OCNRN63 said. I think it is wrong to inform the OP that she has to have an addiction just because she takes opiates for pain. It is a Catch-22 to then tell her that the fact that she denies addiction is a symptom of the disease.

The sad part is, the BON's and powers that be over our licenses have generally not allowed a nurse to practice while taking controlled substances, from what I have read over many years of reading nurses' stories about being in similar situations.

Hopefully, this will not prove to be the case for the OP if she, in fact, has no addiction issue.

Catmom :paw:

[HunnieBadger]

I thought you said it was chronic pain from a congenital bone disorder and RA... Personally I dont know and I dont care what reasons you take it for. Use caution with the BON, they do not exsist for us but for those we serve. And remember your cancer is no different than our addiction, a progressive and deadly disease if not treated.

[Twoyearnurse]

To be fair...Ewings sarcoma is caused by translocation between chromosomes, I'm sure that is what the OP initially was talking about- its genetic. Anywho, best of luck to the OP. Maybe let's all get back to the forums purpose, it's never good for any of us to dwell on anything too long.