My coworker was high and got away with it

[Volley88]

Happy 4/20 I guess?

This particular RN (I'll name him Jon) has been working for our unit for two years. We work in a MedSurg unit at a county hospital. Apparently, we DONT do drug tests at all.

Our morning was going fine, we both took report in the same area and had our breaks at the same time. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary (aside from saying "I'm sleepy/tired," but we all say it). Jon did one discharge and completed one admit. He helped me start an IV for one of my patients and cosigned my insulin.

It wasn't until lunch I noticed Jon's phone Snapchat(?) of him consuming edibles. I also saw Jon's text messages saying "he was still high this morning."

I immediately went to the charge nurse and reported my discovery. Our charge nurse was in disbelief and found it difficult to believe. We confronted Jon and he denied everything.

Our charge nurse discreetly followed up on his patients, and they reported nothing but excellent nursing care. We checked his charting and everything was within policy. We also checked all his pyxis pulls and there were no discrepancies. Lastly, we privately spoke to an MD that Jon was speaking to in the morning who also reported that his behavior was completely normal.

I apologized to Jon as there were no evidence of him being high towards the end of the shift. As we were leaving the hospital, one of Jon's friends (from another unit), came up to him and ask him about his 4/20. I saw Jon winked and nodded. I got upset and just left.

The next day, I reported it to the charge. She said to leave it alone since there wasn't any proof and no patients were harmed. I am not sure what else to do at this point.

[caliotter3]

Unless you witness something blatantly wrong with his rendering of patient care, probably you should just tend to your own business. He probably now sees you as an enemy and might decide to make things somewhat difficult for you in return. So, be wary of him on the personal front.

[MunoRN, RN]

I'm confused how you came to the conclusion that he "was high" when you've also pointed out that despite scrutinizing his work you found no evidence he was impaired.

[pixierose, BSN, RN]

You do nothing.

There is absolutely no evidence besides heresay that "Jon" was high ... and that heresay was taken from Jon's private property (text messages) and a wink from a co-worker. That wink could have been directed at you, for all you know (Jon could have texted his friend about his "busybody co-worker" who accused him of some serious stuff).

Your co-worker appeared to provide excellent care throughout the day, which appears to be the norm for him. Going out of your way to catch him is ridiculous, unless you have a legitimate reason to suspect him.

You certainly did owe Jon an apology. You could have cost him his job ... over a guess. That's awful.

[caliotter3]

You could have cost him his job ... over a guess. That's awful.

This. Think twice before getting involved in speculation of this nature. I've worked with people who have often joked around, even for the ears/eyes of a third party. That does not mean that what they are talking about actually did, or will, happen.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

So you happen to "see stuff on this persons phone" which seems like an invasion of privacy to me. This person did nothing to cause suspicion. His care was all outstanding. His charting was all good. He even was HELPING YOU! No one had anything bad to say about him, he gave you no reason to suspect he was high. But you saw something private on his phone and felt the need to go tell on him. Investigation was done and Jon was found to provide excellent care and charting and is clearly a team player. You then hear him joke with a co-worker and run to tell on him AGAIN after apologizing to him for telling on him the first time?

I suggest you stay in your lane and mind your own business unless someone does something at work to cause concern and pt safety that isn't from you seeing private things on their phone or inside jokes with friends.

[TheMoonisMyLantern, ADN, LPN, RN]

Why are you snooping through someone's cell phone in the first place?

[Calalilynurse]

Mind your business. He may now be gunning for you.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

I wonder if this was a joke on his part (the Snapchat/text stuff). I have some inside jokes with my close friends that, if taken out of context, render me someone who should not be allowed in public at all.

Apologizing again and thanking him as well not only for his understanding but his assistance might serve you well. I'm not sure though. He sounds like a fellow you want on your side.

[foggnm]

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

[Atl-Murse]

OP is so wrong snooping in and around co workers's phone. Sounds like you went looking for dirt. Terrible human being

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

Terrible human being

That's a bit much, don't ya think?