under the influence at work/sleeping on the job

merellis2009 · Apr 15, 2008

But what does your state's nurse practice act state about people who are on narcotics (including prescriptions) at work? Some states are ok if the nurse is not "impaired" due to the presribed meds but some states blatantly state that any use/influence of narcotics (prescribed or otherwise) is a violation. I am prescribed fioricet for migraines but if I get a migraine at work, my nurse manager told me that I need to go home if I plan on taking that medication, even though it does not cause me to be "impaired." Too much of a liability is what she told me. THerefore I know if I am at work, I need to tough it out on motrin/tylenol until I get off shift. Look at your NPA and tell us what you find out.

TRAMA1RN · Apr 15, 2008

Lortab should not be taken at work! even if prescribed. When giving D/C instructions part of the instructions are to not drink, drive, operate machinery or make important decicions, but I guess working in the ER isn't important to anyones health or safety. All facilities where I have worked call for immediate dismissal for sleeping, pregnant or not. Your HR department and manager must be crazy to let this go, if some reason a patient was ever harmed could you imagine the law suit?

oramar · Apr 15, 2008

Also be careful on who you tell her med history too, I think your balancing on the edge of hippa. We had an employee get writtin up and suspended for a few days because Employee A slipped on ice in the parking lot and ultimately broke her leg Employee B saw her fall and helped her to ER then told her unit, "be carefull out in the parking lot, suzy fell coming in and broke her leg"

You know, I think there was something else going on there. Like maybe managment was somehow protecting their butt. They are very paranoid about falls and the potential liabilities involved. They maybe feared what the nurse said would reinforce the employees case or that someone else would try to say they fell also.

cafenurse1112 · Apr 20, 2008

Lortab should not be taken at work! even if prescribed. When giving D/C instructions part of the instructions are to not drink, drive, operate machinery or make important decicions, but I guess working in the ER isn't important to anyones health or safety. All facilities where I have worked call for immediate dismissal for sleeping, pregnant or not. Your HR department and manager must be crazy to let this go, if some reason a patient was ever harmed could you imagine the law suit?

I agree with you, I will say that this nurse is now leaving the ER early during most of her shifts and is still having issues. Our ER directed is on LOA for a few months and I am willing to bet that her replacement, if she finds out about all of this, will can her butt very quickly!!!!! I will say this, if anyone is harmed, I will testify on their behalf, not the hospitals. I am appaled that they have let this continue.

aeauooo · Apr 20, 2008

Have you talked to her about your concerns?

I got sober after one of my colleagues (also a recovering alcoholic) told me he thought I had a drinking problem. I was in treatment within a week - and not because anyone held it over my head. It was one of the best things anyone has ever done for me.

PsychNurseWannaBe, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2008

Really...why do people tip toe. I would first say something like... Hey, Jane. You have been sleeping while at work. What gives? Are you OK?

If Jane doesn't care about my thoughts... I would talk with management.

If management doesn't care I would file a complaint with the BON provided I thought she was impaired or unsafe to practice as a nurse.

This has nothing to do with gossip. It is about objective data and turning a blind eye to it does NO ONE any favors. You are responsible to report her to the BON.

Then leave it alone.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Apr 21, 2008

i have a co-worker that is 20 weeks pregnant and on all kinds of drugs: lortab, neurontin, ambien just to name a few. she takes them at work, falls asleep at the desk, i think she is dangerous. i spoke with the er director who told me that they are prescribed and she cannot do anything about it. i spoke with hr who inferred that i have something against this person, which i do not and i should stay out of it. ok, i am venting but i am afraid that she is going to hurt someone and then what?:uhoh21:

i think once you've made your concerns known to both her director and hr then there's nothing more that you can do. since neither seemed concerned i'm sure that they know more about her condition and the needs for the meds.

her doctor obviously knows she is pregnant and continues to prescribe these medications. she is under no obligation to devulge to anyone precisely why she needs these medications.

i understand how you feel but understand that sometimes all we can do is stand by and pray. be glad you don't own any copability in this situation if it's a bad as you say.

cafenurse1112 · Apr 21, 2008

I appreciate all the responses. For the record, I DID try to talk to her about my concerns and I was VERY nonthreatening. What I got for my efforts was her accusing me of butting into her business and her running to HR to complain that I was "gossiping" about her, something I did not do!!!!!! She was trying for a preemptive strike in the event of someone complaining. I found out HR then called my director to ask if it was true she was sleeping on duty and she comfirmed that she was. So, I did take it to my director who did nothing, HR and risk management know about it and are doing nothing and I, for one, will not help this girl at work anymore because I do not want my name on her charts in the event of a lawsuit!!!!!!! It is a very sad situation. I am out of it at this time. I am working with this girl tonight and I won't go near her.

buzkil · Apr 21, 2008

also be careful on who you tell her med history too, i think your balancing on the edge of hippa. we had an employee get writtin up and suspended for a few days because employee a slipped on ice in the parking lot and ultimately broke her leg employee b saw her fall and helped her to er then told her unit, "be carefull out in the parking lot, suzy fell coming in and broke her leg"

this is one of the most ridiculous things i have ever heard of.

PsychNurseWannaBe, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2008

I appreciate all the responses. For the record, I DID try to talk to her about my concerns and I was VERY nonthreatening. What I got for my efforts was her accusing me of butting into her business and her running to HR to complain that I was "gossiping" about her, something I did not do!!!!!! She was trying for a preemptive strike in the event of someone complaining. I found out HR then called my director to ask if it was true she was sleeping on duty and she comfirmed that she was. So, I did take it to my director who did nothing, HR and risk management know about it and are doing nothing and I, for one, will not help this girl at work anymore because I do not want my name on her charts in the event of a lawsuit!!!!!!! It is a very sad situation. I am out of it at this time. I am working with this girl tonight and I won't go near her.

You my friend are in an ethical dilemma. Attempting to turn a blind eye now is not going to work. Should something happen, do you not think your name will be brought up by the facility or by management?? What is concerning is not that she is pregnant, or in pain, or that she takes pain meds. It is what is happening while she is at work. You no longer get to claim ignorance in this.

I can't help but think that should something happen, you will be brought into this mess and then someone might be able to look at you and say...why did you not contact the BON? You went to a supervisor, a manager, HR...why did you stop there?

The BON in my state, states that nurses are to contact the BON if they come across an impaired nurse.

I'm sorry you are in this lose-lose situation. I hope you the best!

BlueRidgeHomeRN · Apr 21, 2008

lortab should not be taken at work! even if prescribed. when giving d/c instructions part of the instructions are to not drink, drive, operate machinery or make important decicions, but i guess working in the er isn't important to anyones health or safety. all facilities where i have worked call for immediate dismissal for sleeping, pregnant or not. your hr department and manager must be crazy to let this go, if some reason a patient was ever harmed could you imagine the law suit?

i think we have two issues here--first is the fact that this nurse is sleeping at work and apparently not performing well. this needs to be addressed.

however, i am somewhat surprised at the above post and ones like it suggesting that nurses should never take pain medication at work. i only hope this is due to ignorance of chronic pain and pain control, and not judgement of those with these concerns. i can understand that most folks are lucky enough that they have only taken narcotics for dental surgery and the like. in those cases, the drowisness and "buzz" is an expected side effect.

for those of us who have chronic pain, narcotics are about as "impairing" as aspirin. the narcotic treats pain--period. my option is to leave the pain uncontrolled and go on permanent disability, which i refuse to do. please do a little more reasearch before making blanket statements. i recommend a review of chronic pain management.:typing

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Apr 21, 2008

What business is it of yours what meds she is on?

She was sleeping on the job, thats all you should be concerned about. Period. :uhoh3: