My boss is stealing narcotics......

Nurses General Nursing

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Last week I experienced the worst day of my career. My RN supervisor took some Vicodin.

For the last 2 years I have been concerned with narc sheets that looked like a 2 year old scribbled on them with cross outs and scratched out entries etc. and our counts are off more than on. This was usually the case when I would "follow" the RN (she would leave for days off and I came on).

Well.....a week ago I followed the RN and now I am working my 3 days on. I find the note that she wrote regarding the migraine and taking the 10 Vicodin. Needless to say I feel like puking. The Vicodin ends up being off 13 instead of 10 (per her note) and when I pull the narc sheet we find it is off 20!!!

So, long story short....we turn her in. That was last Wednesday.

Opinions? Advice?

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This is a terrible situation! Keep us all posted.

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I'm shocked that she's still allowed to work.

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She should be reported to TPAPN (Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses) It is a program designed to help a chemically dependent or mentally ill nurse. TPAPN will require that the nurse be assessed by an LCDC or psychiatrist to determine if the nurse needs treatmenta and if so, what type and how much. If it is determined that the nurse has a problem, she will be monitored for 2 years, submit to random, frequent drug tests 2-4 x per month, have restrictions such as shifts no longer than 12 hours, no overtime, no floating, no handing out narcotics for 6 mos, etc., and be monitored by a TPAPN case manager. There is more to the program, but these are the basics. Referral to TPAPN fills a person requirement to report to the BNE and speeds the process of intervention. Anyone can make a referral to TPAPN.

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Did you keep the note that the RN supervisor wrote saying that she had taken the Vicodin? Also take note of the client's name who was prescribed the medicine . Date that you found the note and who you reported issue too. Always (C Y A)

Hopes this helps some.

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You can look up TPAPN on the net & read all the details.

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You can look up TPAPN on the net & read all the details.

The OP is in Wyoming.

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WOW. She should have been sent for immediate drug testing, fired for theft and her license should be in jeapordy. Being allowed to continue working, especially alone, is ridiculous. And she's a supervisor? I'm sorry but if her migraine was that bad, she should have visited a Dr and got her own dang pain meds instead of stealing them from a patient. Amazing.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Here's a link regarding Wyoming's "Impaired Nurse: Wyoming Professional Assistance Program (WPAP)"

http://www.wpapro.org/

http://nursing.state.wy.us/Main.asp?MainMode=12

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Specializes in ER.

it sounds like you are doing well by everybody here. make sure you talk to your union rep and get the details on how to proceed.

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Specializes in Emergency.

And here's a complaint form for Wyoming State Board of Nurses:

http://nursing.state.wy.us/Forms/pdfdocs/Complaintform10-2007.pdf

I can't believe they are still letting her work - those medications are for patients that need them! Make sure to write down everything (start now; if you want to just keep it to yourself for now, that's fine). Put down dates, times, course of action, and management response. You don't want to get tangled in this mess and go down with her.

I've been searching the Wyoming BON website, and I havent found anything regarding disciplinary action for nurses that divert.

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What a terrible situation to be in! Document everything. And don't take her attitude to heart. All addicts are at first ****** off at the person who busts them. As they get better, they tend to love that person. :heartbeat

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