Drug Abuse by Nurses

[Regina66]

This is a touchy subject for Nurses I am sure. I have a friend who is a nurse. She has worked for 15 yrs. in all areas. I just found out Friday Jan 14, she has not been wasting morphine and other drugs from her clients and has been shooting them up. She claims she has stopped and turned in her notice at the current hospital she works at to get herself away so she can straighten herself out. I told her she needs to seek medical attention for help. She is embarrassed and afraid. I am so sad for her and a little mad also. I have always looked up to her as my inspiration to start school and work as a nurse myself. My question is, Do any of you know someone who became an addict while working a nurse? What happened to them?

[manna, BSN, RN]

I don't know any personally, but at one of our SNA meetings a few impaired nurses (as they called themselves) came and spoke to us. They were both either currently undergoing or had completed treatment, and were in the state board's impaired nurse program. They were able to practice, but with many limitations on their license.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Here's a CE on the problem. I remember reading about an organization for impaired nurses also, but I can't find it now.

http://nsweb.nursingspectrum.com/ce/ce153.htm