Feeling bad, like I "ratted out" a nurse

Lovely_RN, MSN · May 4, 2011

Don't feel bad. A person with a tolerance for benzos isn't going to be snowed by taking a 1/4 of a benzo. What is 1/4 of a benzo anyway? Is it part of a "stick" of Xanax? I have only heard of Xanax being broken up like that but I guess it could have been anything. In any event the nurse was under the influence of something and was a danger to her patients. You would be surprised sometimes the co-worker you least suspect has the biggest monkey on their back.

Whispera, MSN, RN · May 4, 2011

If she looked unsteady and "stoned," no matter how much of a benzo she took, she shouldn't be responsible for the care of patients. You did a good thing as patient advocate. The supervisor can make the decision on what to do about it.

I also don't believe she just took a small dose, early that morning...

Some might say maybe it was a one-time thing and she should be cut some slack, but I think the patients she cares for, are at risk this one time.

JSlovex2 · May 4, 2011

i def. would not have told my supervisor assuming she is "well respected" and that this was a one time thing where no harm was done. was patient care compromised? has she done this before?

had it happened a second time i would be concerned, but the fact that she told you what she did leads me to believe she wasn't hiding anything. i just don't see a reason to tell on someone because they "looked funny." i'm sure ppl will disagree, but that's just not my style.

Gold_SJ · May 4, 2011

Ah... I guess that is up to your personal choice, if someone generally appears tireder then normal I really wouldn't warrant that a call to the supervisor. People are prescribed a variety of medications to manage illness. Some have symptoms where they don't have a similar affect as normal. More flat, tired, glazed. Thing is, was it impacting her care? If she still worked like normal and got her duties done in a competent manner I don't think its anything to worry about, let alone report, particulary considering she told you why.

However if it did to your personal belief impact client care, or you didn't believe it was a benzo but an illegal drug, then you have every right to speak with a supervisor and it being looked into.

:) Really one can speak to their supervisor about any concern, it just depends on your own moral beliefs and judgement on if you did the right thing. Don't stress about it too much, if it's prescribed there's nothing your co-worker has to worry about other then maybe some awkward questions.

wishfulthinking21059 · May 4, 2011

Don't feel bad....you did the right thing. It doesn't mean you "ratted her out," it means you were looking out for the well-being of the patients, AKA doing your job!

It doesn't mean you were intentionally trying to make a hard time for her--you had a clearer head than her and this seemed out of character of her. Kind of like tough love...what's best for her and everyone was for her to not be at work under that state, so imo you did the right thing.

Just imagine if something would have happened, and she would have made a terrible error....then you would be wishing right now you had spoken up.

But to each his own...honestly, I probably wouldn't have told a supervisor because of my bottom of the food chain position. I am in no positon to judge the state of others based on my perception of them.

JSlovex2 · May 4, 2011

we have no idea i she was "snowed" or if the OP had a "clearer head."

just two nights ago i had a patient point out that i looked really tired even though i wasn't aware that i looked tired. i had been unusually exhausted just bc i had a lot going on at home, but i didn't think it showed. i would hate to think i would be reported on a hunch that i was "too tired" to do my job even though i performed my duties as usual with no exception other than LOOKING tired (or snowed, or not of a clear head, etc) depending on who was interested enough to size me up.

Ginger80 · May 4, 2011

I probably shouldn't have said anything. My gut was telling me to say something though. And the fact that another colleague was worried about this nurse reinforced it. What's done is done, we'll see what happens.

smily nurse, BSN, RN · May 4, 2011

The other night, the day shift nurse who was leaving looked rather "off"....glazed eyes, appeared unsteady, had a general "stoned" look. When I asked her if she was OK, she said she had taken 1/4 of a benzo that morning, and she still "felt" it. Keep in mind that this was at 2300 when we spoke. This RN has a lot of seniority, and is well respected. Another colleague noticed her odd behavior, and agreed that something was "off".
I ended up letting the supervisor know, because overall, it did not sit right with me.
But now I feel badly. Could 1/4 of a benzo really leave someone looking like that 12 hours later? Would you have done the same in telling your supervisors?

Actually it is your responsiblity to report her. If you didn't and it came out that you knew, there was an issue, you also are in hot water. Why are we so afraid to report illegal behaviors???

Gold_SJ · May 4, 2011

I'm sure everything will work out just fine. Try not to stress about it ok? You can't take back the past and if you truly felt something was wrong then that is the time you discuss things with your superiors.

After all you weren't doing it to get her in trouble, by the sounds you were just concerned over her wellbeing. Maybe her medication dosages have been changed or she's symptomatic and goes flat in affect after a benzo for twenty-four hours. Who knows really, the superiors can find out pretty quickly I'm sure whether she's unwell, or its normal and not for anyone to worry about, concerning her patient care.

I doubt she'll hold you in ill-will if you were only worried about her and the residents. You weren't reporting it in an accusatory or demeaning manner after all.

JSlovex2 · May 4, 2011

Actually it is your responsiblity to report her. If you didn't and it came out that you knew, there was an issue, you also are in hot water. Why are we so afraid to report illegal behaviors???

i'm not afraid to report illegal behaviors. i just don't like getting people in trouble based on a complete and utter ASSUMPTION of illegal behaviors. do you think if this nurse was illegally taking benzos that she would've disclosed the word "benzo"? she would've said - "i'm tired" or "my allergies are acting up" or SOMETHING other than mentioning a medication so openly. of course, that's another assumption.

would i keep my eyes and ears open on the next shift to see if this nurse appeared impaired? definitely. would i have jeapordized her reputation and job based on a hunch? absolutely not. why? because i'd expect the same benefit of the doubt - assuming that NOTHING BAD HAPPENED - which it didn't.

Gold_SJ · May 4, 2011

Actually it is your responsiblity to report her. If you didn't and it came out that you knew, there was an issue, you also are in hot water. Why are we so afraid to report illegal behaviors???

^.^;; Well I don't know if appearing sleepy or blank is an illegal behaviour (After all it happens regularly to myself), but of course if the OP is worried any person may bring a concern to higher management just to ensure everythings ok.