I think I just ended someone's career

[Asystole RN]

Long story short, I had to report a registery LPN who was seen crushing, cutting, snorting, and then rubbing the residual powder on her gums by nearly an entire med floor. Most of her narc cards are missing several pills each. She was so intoxicated she could not stand at the cart and nearly fell over several times. She was escorted out and made the statement that she was already being investigated and was about to finish RN school. While waiting for the bosses to arrive some of the staff made it a game to shoot staples at her face and throw cups and tape at her, she was so impaired she didn't notice and just continued to look around the room we had her sit in. Her eyes were half closed and she would constantly fall asleep, while talking in a very slow and slurred speach! She couldn't even dial her phone to call her husband, someone had to dial for her...made we want to cry. I have never seen someone so completely intoxicated.

I feel bad that this nurse's promising career was cut short, I feel worse about her patients.

Sad day for nursing.

[FLArn]

I hope those shooting staples and throwing things at her were also reported to their supervisor. Just because she was impaired does not make her fair game for abuse! Sad case for nursing indeed. She has a disease called addiction -- what was their excuse??!!

[VivaRN]

She needs help and I hope that this event puts her on the road to getting some assistance.

You're right though, sad day.

[cecilsgirl]

I was just wondering why some staff were in the room shooting staples and throwing things at her?, that is what is more sad than this Nurse!... , who needs support and help. Why? Why was that even allowed?

[Asystole RN]

I hope those shooting staples and throwing things at her were also reported to their supervisor. Just because she was impaired does not make her fair game for abuse! Sad case for nursing indeed. She has a disease called addiction -- what was their excuse??!!

Anger and stupidity I guess?

[SharonH, RN]

I wouldn't worry about her "promising" career. If anything, maybe this will be the impetus she needs to seek and accept help. Maybe you saved her.

[wondern, ASN]

Very sad indeed! Not only did she need help, other staff threw things at her?! I wish I could be a boss some day!(Maybe not...) What a bunch of bullies! Of course, you did the right thing by calling someone for help. Did you try to stop the others from abusing her? She can get drug rehab, hopefully, and save her career if she really wants to.

[Sparrow23]

Cripes!

I always wonder what could have possibly happened to someone to make them choose such a life... Hope she gets the help she needs, but I am thankful that she probably is out of the nursing world for good...

As a side note, how very immature of those flicking staples at her. Would they do that to their patients I wonder?? This incident clearly brought out the worst in more than just her...

[Asystole RN]

Very sad indeed! Not only did she need help, other staff threw things at her?! I wish I could be a boss some day!(Maybe not...) What a bunch of bullies! Of course, you did the right thing by calling someone for help. Did you try to stop the others from abusing her? She can get drug rehab, hopefully, and save her career if she really wants to.

The throwing happened while I was being debriefed. The bosses knew, it was used by some to describe the level of impairement to them. I think the bosses were more concerned of what to do with the nurse, couldn't let her drive home yet couldn't restrain her. Eventually she called her husband (numbers dialed for her) as described after refusing a cab.

[Neveranurseagain, RN]

First, there was no excuse for the staff to treat her like they did. Granted, this woman was impaired, but have some compassion. No one knows what private hell this woman may have been through that contributed to her becoming addicted. The staff needs to investigated and disciplined too, as I wonder how they themselves treat impaired patients.

If she was this impaired, she should have been escorted to the ER for an assessment. What happens if she goes home and dies of a drug overdose?

But don't feel bad and feel you ended someone's career. The LPN ended her career. She may have a chance to get it back if she successfully completes a many year long program for impaired nurses administered by the BON.

[HoneyDew70]

Wait, did no one stop her the moment they saw her begin to snort the crushed medication? Did they wait for her to finish snorting and then rubbing it on her gums before action was taken? Where was the nurse manager or supervisor? If nearly an entire floor saw her in action, I am surprised that no one jumped in earlier to end the madness. Have there been missing narc meds with her before?

I am appalled that someone would be throwing things at her and staples at that! We are simply not allowed to continue the breakdown in human dignity. I hope she gets help, recovers and pay her dues, and I hope that those who stepped around a fellow, troubled human being be taught what it means to be a good Samaritan.

[Asystole RN]

Cripes!

I always wonder what could have possibly happened to someone to make them choose such a life... Hope she gets the help she needs, but I am thankful that she probably is out of the nursing world for good...

As a side note, how very immature of those flicking staples at her. Would they do that to their patients I wonder?? This incident clearly brought out the worst in more than just her...

The people that were involved in the throwing are generally good people, as I have known them. They are extremely protective of their patients, I have no doubt in the world that they treat their patients like family. Never seen an incident like this before. I honestly think they let their emotions get the better of their professionalism.

Safe to say that emotions were extremely tense all around.

I was wondering the same thing, what led her to this life...I hope she does ok and finds help.