My co-worker stinks like gin every morning!

pawsomepooch47 · Mar 11, 2012

Someone I know was accused of drinking when, it was the spritz she used in her hair that had a slight similar scent to it. She "looked" tired too. She had a family member in critical condition and her faced showed the exhaustion and worry. I still remember her telling me about it. They were unusually cruel to her I believe because they were looking to find a problem... I will always remember the person who put her through that, and, it's not good to be on my radar.
OP, I'd just try and keep your own nose clean unless you see real evidence of impairment. Those in glass houses...

As I posted, this has been a REAL problem in the past. The smell clearly comes from her mouth, and it ain't mouth wash either.

OCNRN63, RN · Mar 11, 2012

Someone I know was accused of drinking when, it was the spritz she used in her hair that had a slight similar scent to it. She "looked" tired too. She had a family member in critical condition and her faced showed the exhaustion and worry. I still remember her telling me about it. They were unusually cruel to her I believe because they were looking to find a problem... I will always remember the person who put her through that, and, it's not good to be on my radar.
OP, I'd just try and keep your own nose clean unless you see real evidence of impairment. Those in glass houses...

The sharks are unusually quick to smell blood in the water.

Perpetual Student · Mar 11, 2012

Given the fact that it's a small town and she's worked there for 30 years, they likely just accept her for who she is. I doubt you're going to be able to change their minds unless you can point to considerable impairment or patient complaints. Making it an issue may just cause negative attention to fall on you. I'm not saying her behavior is right, but sometimes you've got to pick your battles carefully.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2012

so the argument is that she is a "functioning alcoholic," so it's ok, is that it? what if one day the teetering equilibrium she's in begins to fail? the patient will be the one who feels the brunt of her fall, at least on that day.

this is a problem beyond your expertise to solve, but there are people who can help you deal with it. your administration may listen to them if you approach them properly. there must be an aa meeting in your town, and may have more regular attendees than you would guess; they may point you in the right direction. go find out. you can find a listing of all meetings in your area by day and time by googling alcoholics anonymous.

Perpetual Student · Mar 11, 2012

so the argument is that she is a "functioning alcoholic," so it's ok, is that it? what if one day the teetering equilibrium she's in begins to fail? the patient will be the one who feels the brunt of her fall, at least on that day.

it's not ok, but what should the op do about it? clearly the gin-scented nurse isn't interested in her assistance, nor does management care. i suppose she could report her to the state nursing board, but it might come back to bite her pretty hard, especially if she can't point to clear signs of impairment.

what's the hospital's risk management program like? perhaps that would be an avenue to consider.

allnurses Guide · Mar 11, 2012

I'm with Grn Tea on this one. Assuming for purposes of discussion it is not from a personal care product of some kind.

1. It's not about what she has done, it's about what she could do in the future while intoxicated, outward appearances notwithstanding. Lots of people appear to drive well while drunk off their ***, but pray a child doesn't dart out or a sudden braking in front of you, your response time will be altered.

2. My state has passed some stringent reporting laws greatly upping the ante if it can be shown that you could/ should/ did have a reasonable suspicion a coworker has a problem, reeking of gin would probably qualify.

wooh, BSN, RN · Mar 12, 2012

I have mixed feelings. I knew a nurse that ended up losing her job for similar reasons. The sad thing to me was, even drunk, she was a better nurse than most of the staff in that place. Not as good as SHE could have been, I'm sure. But still better than most at that facility.

Is it affecting her patient care right now? IMO, you shouldn't lose your job for smelling like you're drunk. You should lose your job for practicing like you're drunk. Which would also encompass those that are sober but stupid.

LemonIndiscretion · Mar 12, 2012

I too have mixed feelings on this! I thought I was about to be the only one until I read your post above mine, wooh

One of the most amazing nurses I've ever worked with was a functional alcoholic. She never drank on the job as far as I know she drank the night before and would still smell like alcohol in the morning. To be completely honest she was really good at her job, just obviously she had a problem. But who knows how great she could have been if she didn't have personal problems.

That being said, I don't think it's ok for nurses to be inebriated at work while they have people's lives in their hands. I've also seen nurses who take their patient's painkillers and give the patient tylenol instead of percocet and that's obviously wrong and I think everyone would agree to that. It's just hard to tell when to draw the line between personal life and it affecting work performance especially if you consider alcoholism a disease. Clearly it would be ideal for her to get some help and get sober, but I think there is a grey area in the real world and nurses are humans, all of us with our flaws and imperfections. So where do we draw the line? What if a nurse is a smoker and has cigarette smoke on her/his clothes and their patient is highly allergic? What if a nurse is 100 pounds overweight and can't get to that patient who is coding as fast as someone who didn't have that problem? What about 50 lbs overweight, or 20? I think its certainly something to think about, as most of us have some problem/vice, just some peoples' are more obvious than others... but we are all here for the patients...

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 12, 2012

Just because something has always been a certain way, doesn't mean it needs to (or should) remain that way.

It is NOT okay for a nurse on duty to smell like booze. Whether or not she is actually impaired at a given time, her hygiene is obviously lacking and should be addressed by upper management if the unit managers are unwilling to do so. Sometimes this is how we find out that an employee is living in a borrowed car with her two kids and needs help, or that she is depressed and a referral to EAP is in order.

While I think the OP's assessment of this nurse's situation is probably spot on---if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, the chances are pretty good that it is, indeed, a duck---sometimes it's more helpful to maneuver around the obvious problem and use a wedge issue (such as a change in mood, or in this case, smelling like a tavern) to get through the walls people build up around themselves for protection. I disagree with those who would continue to sweep this issue under the rug, because at some point it almost certainly will come back to bite someone where it hurts---either the nurse herself, or the hospital which employs her knowing she has some kind of problem, or worst of all, an innocent patient.

My :twocents: worth, use it as you will. :)

FlyingScot, RN · Mar 12, 2012

The other consideration is when, not if, when her issue does compromise patient care, and the family sues, all of you who are aware of the problem but do nothing are probably equally liable for damages or even criminal charges. I'm not saying go out and torpedo her career but there must be some way you can notify the proper authorities so an investigation can be initiated. I think I would explore this with your state's BON.

sapphire18 · Mar 12, 2012

I am utterly shocked that people are actually defending a nurse showing up to work reeking of alcohol! So you'd be ok with a nurse reeking of booze taking care of your mother? Your child?

ADN2B · Mar 12, 2012

What?!?