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.

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

I'm concerned at this scenario especially if he did not appear impaired.

This is founded on the premise of what would you do if a coworker appeared or was impaired? Would you bend over backwards to denigrate someone who actually needs medical attention?

Before making assumptions and accusations ensure the safety of the subject in your crosshairs, and of course that of the patients.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

Maybe you shouldn't be friends with any of these partiers on social media.

[ixchel]

I am responding to the OP only, without reading any comments first.

OP, last year I developed persistent insomnia that at its peak, ended in me going into a psychosis at the end of a shift, complete with hallucinations. Instead of taking seriously the report I'd made to my manager on two prior shifts stating that I'd been dealing with sleeplessness (and me calling out in between those two shifts), the man assumed I was actually high. I received no medical attention whatsoever. Instead, I received a drug test. My manager received the results before I did, and I was fired before proof of one controlled medication validly prescribed was requested.

That is just the BEGINNING of how my life was ruined by a person assuming I was on drugs. That was more than a year ago, and I am still knee deep in the massive pile of crap that dealt me. All they had to do was get me a doctor.

You do NOTHING. Absolutely not one damn thing.

[malamud69, BSN, RN]

Sadly this does not "seem" the place to deliberate the absurd hypocrisy surrounding marijuana use/laws/morality etc...personally...I would much rather work with somebody that smokes a little weed than a drinker or even a cigarette smoker for that matter...also...ever seen a person "jonsing" for a cigarette...again the unabashed hypocrisy of our society is mind boggling...then again alcohol and cigarettes being legal and absolutely doing nothing but killing people keeps me in a good cardiac job í ½í±

[YoutubeTheNP]

Geez, mind your own business. Who was attending to your patients when you were playing detective? You tried to get your colleague in trouble AND he put an IV in one of your patients?? You should be ashamed.

[pixierose, BSN, RN]

I am responding to the OP only, without reading any comments first.

OP, last year I developed persistent insomnia that at its peak, ended in me going into a psychosis at the end of a shift, complete with hallucinations. Instead of taking seriously the report I'd made to my manager on two prior shifts stating that I'd been dealing with sleeplessness (and me calling out in between those two shifts), the man assumed I was actually high. I received no medical attention whatsoever. Instead, I received a drug test. My manager received the results before I did, and I was fired before proof of one controlled medication validly prescribed was requested.

That is just the BEGINNING of how my life was ruined by a person assuming I was on drugs. That was more than a year ago, and I am still knee deep in the massive pile of crap that dealt me. All they had to do was get me a doctor.

You do NOTHING. Absolutely not one damn thing.

Ixchel, there are no words. I'm so sorry.

[CelticGoddess, BSN, RN]

I am responding to the OP only, without reading any comments first.

OP, last year I developed persistent insomnia that at its peak, ended in me going into a psychosis at the end of a shift, complete with hallucinations. Instead of taking seriously the report I'd made to my manager on two prior shifts stating that I'd been dealing with sleeplessness (and me calling out in between those two shifts), the man assumed I was actually high. I received no medical attention whatsoever. Instead, I received a drug test. My manager received the results before I did, and I was fired before proof of one controlled medication validly prescribed was requested.

That is just the BEGINNING of how my life was ruined by a person assuming I was on drugs. That was more than a year ago, and I am still knee deep in the massive pile of crap that dealt me. All they had to do was get me a doctor.

You do NOTHING. Absolutely not one damn thing.

Ixchel I am so sorry you are going through this.

OP: I worked with a nurse who was accused of diverting meds (it was a serious and active issue at the facility I worked at). She was fired, reported to the BON and crazy as this sounds, they never asked for a urine drug screen on her. The only evidence they had was she was "flighty". well, yes, she was a bit flighty, but she was a good nurse. Her behavior had not changed since the day she started. The person who was most vocal about her suspected drug use DID have a major behavior change, but admin just wanted to a scape goat. the nurse (A) was eventually cleared (by the BON) but she had a hard time getting a new job.

There were no complaints about her quality of work, families and residents had no issues with her, she was doing her job, and pretty much leaving everyone else alone. Except she was flighty. Fortunately, A has gotten a new job and is doing well.

You can seriously ruin someones life this way. If you see this nurse with a needle in his arm, or joint in his mouth or his taking meds you are 100% sure are narcotics(and he is on duty), by all means, report it. But all you have is speculation. That's all it is. You have speculation and suspicion.

Ask yourself this: how would you feel if someone accused you of drug use with flimsy evidence? How would YOU feel if it went all the way to the board? How would YOU feel if someones ruined your life? Start worrying about your own nursing practice.

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

I'm finding this situation so preposterous I'm not sure I believe it.

Especially the part about the OP participating in the investigation.

Like... it seems like a cross between Sweet Valley High and the Wild West.

But just in case this is real, my advice is:

This town ain't big enough for the two of you. Git alone little doggie. And beware the reefer madness.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Happy 4/20 I guess?

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.

I apologized to Jon as there were no evidence of him being high towards the end of the shift.

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.

I'm not sure what "consuming edibles" means, and I have no idea why you would be "noticing" Jon's phone or text messages. Could be that I'm just old and out of touch, but I see no reason for anyone to be "noticing" someone else's phone, Snapchat or text messages.

You made it your business to notice what was on Jon's phone and report it to your charge nurse, and then despite all the fine-tooth combing through of Jon's work, you found nothing to be alarmed about. You've arguably done your due diligence (and then some) -- one could argue that you've started a witch hunt based on something that was none of your business in the first place. Possibly Jon was NOT "still high" this morning, but made the comment in an attempt to be "cool." At any rate, he didn't share the comment with you.

No patients were harmed. There is no proof. Despite combing through Jon's charting, you found no evidence of error -- I'm not sure many people's charting could withstand such a combing through even if they'd never been high in their lives. Unless you see clear evidence that Jon is practicing while impaired, mind your own business. And if you DO see evidence, report the facts and not your interpretation of what they mean.

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

Based on this "new evidence" you have "clarified" I still feel you were in the wrong. Nothing in Jons actions or behaviors caused you to suspect he was high and accusations like that can be detrimental to ones life. You're working in a place where you aren't happy because you feel like everyone is always partying and talking about doing drugs or whatever it was. But from everything you have portrayed Jon is a stand up guy that takes great care of his patients, the docs like him, and he is a team player and helps. He isn't dropping the ball on his charting or his med pulls. It doesn't seem like you have any legitimate reason to be upset with Jon or report Jon outside of your own moral issues you have with him.

We need more "Jons" in the nursing field. He sounds like someone I would enjoy working with. What he does on his free time is of no concern to me unless it is hurting other people or effecting his work when he comes in.

[JKL33]

I'm finding this situation so preposterous I'm not sure I believe it

Yeah, there's a good chance someone's trolling AN. The accused's charting was checked and was "within policy"??....come on. I wonder if "On-duty RNs shall conduct a thorough review of the charting of any peer suspected of having consumed marijuana while off-duty" is "within policy".

I'm not buying it. I say we let this one die - the OP hasn't taken any of the responses to heart anyway. Besides, s/he is certainly not long for the world of Nursing at this rate....

[caliotter3]

Yeah, there's a good chance someone's trolling AN. The accused's charting was checked and was "within policy"??....come on. I wonder if "On-duty RNs shall conduct a thorough review of the charting of any peer suspected of having consumed marijuana while off-duty" is "within policy".

I'm not buying it. I say we let this one die - the OP hasn't taken any of the responses to heart anyway. Besides, s/he is certainly not long for the world of Nursing at this rate....

This was also my initial response, in spite of OP's efforts to "defend" their actions.