Is my coworker impaired?

[sasha2lady]

I work with a nurse whom I and others think might be impaired. She is a recent widow but has a long Hx of partying alcohol and pills . I've seen her disappear for almost 2 hrs at work I'm sure she goes in an empty room and sleeps as she has been caught previously by the cnas. Her eyeshave been glassy. It's like she's in space just floating she doesn't pay attn to herbpts or assess them. She comes in late and always leaves early by like 2 hours early. She is slow and sluggish all the time and not in a normal way. Easily distracted by her back to back cell calls and texts . Often brags about being hungover at work. Before her loss she wasn't this bad but now I'm actually concerned that she's on something other than rxs. I think she needs help .

[catmom1, BSN, RN]

I know this doesn't directly address your question but I am wondering what kind of job lets someone leave 2 hours early or sleep for two hours during a shift.

Catmom :paw:

P.S. As for the possible impairment of your coworker, I would probably bring my concerns to my nurse manager. If this new widow really is abusing drugs, it does her no favor for coworkers to ignore it, IMO.

BTW, prescription drugs can be just as lethal as street drugs when abused. All her current S/S could be explained by abuse of a prescription or prescriptions. CM

[mollyrr]

Whether she is impaired or not, SOMETHING is wrong. Wouldn't it be the stand up thing to do if you pulled her aside and told her you were concerned? Asked her if there is anything to do to help?

Perhaps tell her that you feel obligated to report her behavior since it may be putting patients at risk. If she does admit to drug use or mental health issues, maybe suggests she self report to whatever recovery program your state has for health care professionals--or at least suggest she talk with your nurse manager about a plan to improve her work performance.

My guess is people at your place of employment are gossiping about her behavior. Why not break this trend and offer your support? Worst case scenario, she won't be receptive--and if so, you don't have to feel like you are going behind her back if you have to report her to your manager. Best case scenario, you may be helping to save her job/and or her license.

[sasha2lady]

Thanks for the advice. I've offered sveral times to let her talk and I told her we would be there if she needed us . Every time I work w her she publicly announces her hangover. She told the other nurse that she is going to continue to leave bc the boss hasn't told her not to. It's my understanding that when you work or volunteer to work a shift it's common knowledge that you finish it.unless directed otherwise by your boss. I've been here nearly 10 years and she has missed more days in her yr& half than I have my entire employment. Our boss talks a big game but never follows thru on anything. This nurse has also been sleeping on thr job. I can't approach her about this because she has a violent temper always has and she would probably become aggressive. I did tell the one supervisor that I trust about this and she promised to never reveal my name. I told her I won't talk to anyone else about this because I feel bad enough just telling her but I don't want to be responsible for her . Tonight she called in but she tried and tried to get someone to work after she begged for the shift. Again nothing new she's done this many times. She's been a no call no show numerous times and that was shortly after she was hired. Nothings ever been done and probably won't this time though it's hard to tell since we have a new Adon who won't tolerate this I don't think. We shall see. I value my job and my license. It's my only means of income and ability to provide for my family and I'm not willing to put that at risk for anyone. And I also think she is abusing rx meds .

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

I feel for you and the other staff working with her, and the patients she cares for. She's a timebomb just waiting ...

I can't believe she's still employeed there just from the history I've read here. Does she know one of the "higher ups" that just look the other way? Where I have worked in the past and you were a "no show", you had to have a REALLY good excuse as to why.

And the part about the cont. to leave early because no one had told her not to? Even my 11 yr old wouldn't try that.

Good luck to you. Maybe she's trying to deal with being a widow going out and partying, drinking, ect but that's just a rx for disaster. I know people grieve in different ways, that please! I hope that someone is able to intervene before anyone - patients, coworkers or someone on the street that she mows down - gets hurt.

Anne, RNC

[sasha2lady]

I tried to drop her a hint I wrote up an aide I actually caught sleeping and she was just fired . She too had a similar hx minus alcohol , and she was one of the laziest aides I've met in years. Last night we worked together and she was straight no glassy eyes no abnormal sluggishness but she did leave early only this time it wassnt at 9. It was a lil after 10.she said she wants to get on disability for PTSD. I told her it wouldn't be wise to take whatever meds she's on before work (again). I hope she got it because I hate to see anybody lose a job ESP these days. As for her knowing or having connections higher up, I don't think it's that our DON is a talker and a thinker but def not a doer she will pass on anything to any body if it means she or the administrator won't have to deal with it. That's their biggest flaw, otherwise it's a good place. Mgmt needs a tune up big time

[Magsulfate, BSN, RN]

Not sure what state you're in, but I know that in Texas this is reportable to the board. If you have gone to your supervisors about her suspicious behaviour and they have done nothing, then write to the board. It is your obligation as a nurse ... if you don't, then you are just as much to blame and can get your license into hot water.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

Thanks for the advice. I've offered sveral times to let her talk and I told her we would be there if she needed us . Every time I work w her she publicly announces her hangover. She told the other nurse that she is going to continue to leave bc the boss hasn't told her not to. It's my understanding that when you work or volunteer to work a shift it's common knowledge that you finish it.unless directed otherwise by your boss. I've been here nearly 10 years and she has missed more days in her yr& half than I have my entire employment. Our boss talks a big game but never follows thru on anything. This nurse has also been sleeping on thr job. I can't approach her about this because she has a violent temper always has and she would probably become aggressive. I did tell the one supervisor that I trust about this and she promised to never reveal my name. I told her I won't talk to anyone else about this because I feel bad enough just telling her but I don't want to be responsible for her . Tonight she called in but she tried and tried to get someone to work after she begged for the shift. Again nothing new she's done this many times. She's been a no call no show numerous times and that was shortly after she was hired. Nothings ever been done and probably won't this time though it's hard to tell since we have a new Adon who won't tolerate this I don't think. We shall see. I value my job and my license. It's my only means of income and ability to provide for my family and I'm not willing to put that at risk for anyone. And I also think she is abusing rx meds .

When nurses display symptoms at work, they're usually in the late state of addiction. Its not your worry whether she's addicted ot not. That's for others to decide. However, because of serious performance issues she needs to be escorted to the emergency room and evaluated immediately. Someone there will make a diagnosis. You have a moral imperative (and possible legal liability) to remove this person from the patient care area at once. You almost might save HER life. Good luck to you and there's a lot of support for her here at Allnurses and among the recovering nurse community.