How do I handle this?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

The other night, my charge nurse called the two other nurses (other than myself) aside and asked them if they smelled alcohol on my breath.

After the shift was over, and we all left the facility, I received calls from these other two nurses, within minutes of each other, telling me what had happened.

To say the least, I was boiling mad! :angryfire I take the ethical and legal aspects of our profession VERY seriously. I rarely drink alcohol at all, and NEVER, EVER before going on duty and certainly not while on duty. Let me say that I am a smoker, and when I return from a smoke break, I use breath mints, hand-sanitizer on my hands/arms, and Fabreeze in my scubs so I don't reek when I walk into a pt's room.

At the time, I considered turning right around and marching into the directors office to demand a blood alcohol test.

I worked with this charge nurse again tonight and very seriously considered confronting her. The very last thing I want is this kind of rumor floating around my facility.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, ICU, ER.

Had a meeting this morning with the Unit Director the charge nurse in question. The meeting originally was about the traveling nurse friend of the charge nurse (this issue has wide-ranging implications), and about a minor policy violation of mine (not dealing properly with a surgical consent packet... what the heck; I'm new).

At the end of the meeting, just before we were to leave the office, I said: (to the charge nurse)

"Oh, while we're all here, I just wanted to know what determination you came to about the alleged alcohol on my breath Sunday night, since you asked everyone but me about it?" (I have heard since the original post that she has been running her mouth to the whole unit; not just the shift that worked that night.)

The charge nurse looked shell-shocked and the director looked confused; so I explained. (can you say "sandbagged"?)

"Well, seems to think I was impaired at work, since she asked the whole shift except me about it, and now it appears that the whole unit knows the story. , I am willing to take a drug screen, BAC, or blood test anytime you want one, at your expense. However, the very NEXT time I hear such slanderous and/or defamatory "rumors" purportedly from a staff member in a supervisory capacity, I'll be forced to take action to protect my reputation and my livelihood; and it probably won't be much fun for anyone involved." :nono: (the word "lawsuit" was left unsaid)

The Director told me he would deal with the situation appropriately and invited me to sleep well, as I have to be back at work tonight. I left the office, the charge nurse remaining behind in a glorious shade of red. :devil:

When I walked out of the director's office, guess what? The WHOLE shift from the night in question: the nurses, the tech, and the unit clerk - were all waiting in the hall for me!:specs: The first person that told me what the charge nurse was doing said "We wanted to be here in case you needed some help in there". THEY knew I was being "called to the office" and wanted to support me! :crying2: Two of them said that while they were there, they intended to talk to the director about other "stunts" this charge nurse has pulled. I wonder how this is all going to work out?

In the final analysis, I am convinced I work with several great people and one ....... witch of a charge nurse!

Specializes in ER, Occupational Health, Cardiology.

All riiiiight! It couldn't have gone better, I don't think. It sounds as though you handled yourself really well, in a no-nonsense kind of way. Be on the lookout for the witch. The first time that she pulls anything, go right back to your Director. I'd keep a little log with her name on it, and record any type of conversation with her that seems in any way questionable, with the date. As I said before, that would eliminate the she-said, no I didn't kind of crud that doesn't get you anywhere. Way to go!

Good for you!!!!! I think you handled it better than any of us could have imagined, and I wish I'd been a fly on the wall!

Greaaaaaaaaat Job!

Could not have done it better.

Specializes in Neurology, med-surg, terminally ill, ICU.

THis is why we have a grievance process...I had an administrator who was stealing promethazine from our pharmacy, and had been for a very long time, accuse me of being the thief in front of fellow workers...I immediately filed a grievance against her...the form asked what outcome I desired from this action...I stated I wanted my name cleared and my licenses secured...to this ladies dismay she was walked off the Unit, during the investigation they proved she was taking the drugs. When I went to our Warden, I told him I felt I was being set up for the fall of the true guilty...she and the Doc are both gone because of these accusations and what surfaced during the investigation. I have seen so many in security and medical be set up and walked off during my 21/2 years...sometimes you wonder who the convicts are!!HAHA Never ever...as several others have stated should you confront this witch alone...paper and process, that is where it is at...when it happens again, get her for retaliation. Show yourself and those around you who the professional is!!

Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, PH, CM.

I think she smelled the hand sanitizer, breath mints, and Febreze and wondered what you were trying to hide. Most smokers are not as considerate as you. I would approach her and make a casual comment like " I hope all these scents don't bother my patients, I am just trying to cover up smoke." That way she will get the message without knowing that your co-workers tattled - that may cause problems too.

Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, PH, CM.
I CANNOT STAND backstabbers, and this is essentially what she was doing, going behind your back and making accusations/assumptions.

I would confront her and in front of anyone who happened to be there. I would let her know, furthermore, that backstabbing is not a virtue and if she has issues next time take it up with with the person she is making assumptions about.

We don't know this, do we? Did it go any further? I think by asking, she was just doing her job. She stands to lose her job and possibly her license if she allowed you to work while drinking. It happens, more than we realize, and even though you do not, she was suspicious of all the smells. I feel secure that I can differentiate between Febreze and alcohol, and most nurses can, maybe she cannot. Next time, let them smell smoke.

Specializes in Maternal Child Health - specialty in wom.

How about requesting a meeting with your charge nurse and telling her exactly what you just told us. IT would likely 'clear the air.' You probably are coming back from your breaks smelling so 'santized'tht it draws suspicion.

Not that I blame you for feeling offended. She was out of line and should have confronted you directly if she truly had concerns, however, as you said , you have to work with her. Might as well try using honey- not vinegar.

goodluck!

old post, guys!!!!

done been resolved!!!!!!

Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm I personally would address this issue if this kind of thing was said about me.

I would request a meeting with her and the Nurse Manager.

Have it sorted out pronto. LOL Thanks Tazzi hahahahahahha

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