Drug abuser coming back to work

[mamason]

Ok.....here goes. We had a coworker who went to administration stating that she had a drug problem. Totally came clean with it and asked for help. She was not diverting form the facility. Using drugs on her way to work. Was high while taking care of pts. Not only did she come clean with the hospital, but, went to the newspaper and had her face plastered on the front page talking about it. Now, my first reaction was shock and disbelief! Then, I thought to myself, "WOW!" That took a lot of courage to do such a thing. Now, everyone is talking about her. She did this, she did that. ( I really can't stand the unit gossip that goes on)Saying horrible things. It just really upsets me that this woman needs support, not judgement. Aren't we, as a profession, suppose to help her get through this hard time? Yes, I can't believe she did it either. But, I do have compassion for her. Did we forget that our own are only human after all? Ok....I'm done now. Just wanted to get that off of my chest.

[TazziRN, RN]

As someone who has been there, gonig back to work is almost harder than admitting a problem. I took a six-month leave to get clean and I knew that I would have to prove myself when I went back to work. I worked hard at my recovery and I stayed clean. I worked my patootie off to try and become a part of the team again. It wasn't until I left 5 years later that I realized I had never earned back anyone's trust except for one or two people who were my friends. I learned that, even 5 years later, whenever the count was off the first thing they did was check to see if I was working that day, or if I accessed that pt in the Pyxis. After yet one more incident of being called into the office about a complaint about my work, I was almost in tears and I told the NM, "I feel like I have to be perfect." Her answer was, "You do."

When I started my new job a hour away, three months later, several former coworkers worked at that ER per diem. I found out that two of them went to the NM and urged that I not be hired. When I was, they told the other staff that they need to "watch out for her, she likes the good stuff." I thank God every day that the NM and staff gave me a chance in spite of what they'd heard, and I was able to prove myself there.

Believe me, we know that we have to earn the trust back. Don't make it impossible for us.