Ethical question...what would you do?

I would never take a medication that was for a patient. I've taken tylenol out of floor stock, but that's it. We have a bottle of ibuprofen for our use, but we buy it (collectively).

Really, whats the difference? Its not like the patient went without pain meds because she took it from the drawer... (vs taking from stock) Like I said, I wouldnt do it, because of how it looks and what people, like the student, would think of doing to me, and, technically, its wrong. But a tylenol? Come on. She didnt *steal* from a pts drawer....(and the patient did not go without a medication because she took it)... if the patient needed a tylenol, its not like they couldnt get him one because she took it from the drawer.....or she couldnt replace it when she had the chance...... Now, a narcotic, or any other script? a big no no. But I do see there is a big difference in these two scenarios. Backbiting, naivete,cattiness, jealousness, just the dynamics of nursing, I have come to learn.

ERslave,

"FYI: whoever signs for the medicines (especially narcotics), should be the one to put them in the cart." What you just said made a light go off for me. When I informed the RN that the narcotic was off, she freaked out about it as much as I did. She angrily stated that she should have done it herself instead of letting me do it. I thought she was just angry...I had no idea that the one who signs should be responsible in putting them up. Wow, does this mean she could get into trouble? I hope not, she's a very nice nurse.

Not to sound harsh.. well, actually, I guess I am.... IF YOU DONT KNOW THESE THINGS, WHY ARE YOU PASSING MEDS????????