I am a new nurse and I am not sure exactly what to do regarding this issue. I am about 4 weeks into my first job as an RN and yesterday my preceptor asked me to see if any of my patients had PO Zofran. I asked why and she said that one of the nurses was feeling nauseous. She stated that the nurse she was asking for had asked for PO Phenergan but that she felt better giving her Zofran. I replied by saying "no, none of my patients have PO Zofran". I'm sure I had a funny expression on my face because she followed up with the fact that she frequently took medication like Mucinex or any over the counter medication from patients, reasoning with me by saying "you can get them from the store. So it's okay." And I responded by saying "you can't get Zofran from the store and even if you could the patients are still having to pay for the medication that you're taking from them."
I'm at a loss and I can't get this off my mind. I feel like taking any medication out of the pixis under a patients name is stealing from that patient. I've already had issues with this preceptor and next week I'm going to finish my orientation with another nurse. (This preceptor frequently leaves the floor to talk on other floors or to go outside and smoke. There was one instance when a patient was going into ARF and we had to call a rapid response. She was outside smoking and wouldn't answer her phone when called. Another instance just recently was that one of my patients was having chest pain and I was having to make all of the decisions and call the doctors all by myself. Being new and never having to deal with those things alone are VERY SCARY!)
Anyways... I know what the rules are regarding a nurse stealing/diverting narcotics from a patient. But I don't know what the rules are if it's non-narcotic medication. Also, I did not see this nurse take anything. It was merely a conversation. I don't want to cause a stink over this since I've already had issues with this nurse. But, I just can't get it off my mind. Is this something that I should take to my manager. Or is it something I should file an anonymous incident report over? Or should I just ignore it all together? I don't know what to do and if she does end up in trouble she's going to know it was me that ratted her out. Any advice?
So, if a CNA comes to me and asks for a Tylenol because her back is killing her, I'm STEALING if I give her a pill out of the 500 ct bottle?? We're talking pennies here.
Would the more "moral" action be to tell the painful aide she's SOL because she should have brought her own tylenol?
There's nothing virtous about being so black and white.
Well, technically, yes it IS stealing, whether it's pennies or billions. The more virtuous route would be to ask around to the other employees and see who brought tylenol/ibuprofen/whatever that day. If I forget my own stash, I usually ask housekeeping. They always have something!!
And if I need a bandaid, I can usually get one from the charge nurse, or I go to employee health (or ask a housekeeper).
I will admit I stole a sanitary napkin once because I was too embarrassed to ask around, since that day it was mostly male nurses. And yes, I still feel guilty. Now I keep a stash of those, too.
We'll....I work nights, in LTC. There is no employee health. Taking stock meds like Tylenol or Ibuprofen off the cart for staff use is perfectly acceptable, but that is where I work. Policies vary of course so just know your facilities policy and you should be ok.
PS on the other hand, I know of no place that considers handing out any kind of prescription med to staff ok
Honesty and integrity are important, period. Stealing is stealing, period. It is a violation of the state nurse's practice act, period.
If a fellow employee is ill, they can go to employee health to request assistance.
Right, cause most nursing homes have an employee health dept.
By giving a CNA a Tylenol so they can do their job more effectively, I'm sure I'm saving the company a heckuva lot more than the pennies the pill cost them.
My honesty and integrity are completely intact, thank you very much. I would tell my DON in a heartbeat that I gave SusieQ a Tylenol for her back. My DON is well aware and I've done it in front of her, as a matter of fact. No dishonesty here.
Well, technically, yes it IS stealing, whether it's pennies or billions. The more virtuous route would be to ask around to the other employees and see who brought tylenol/ibuprofen/whatever that day. If I forget my own stash, I usually ask housekeeping. They always have something!!
And if I need a bandaid, I can usually get one from the charge nurse, or I go to employee health (or
ask a housekeeper).
I will admit I stole a sanitary napkin once because I was too embarrassed to ask around, since that day it was mostly male nurses. And yes, I still feel guilty. Now I keep a stash of those, too.
Oh, good grief, you can't really be suggesting that using a "company" band aide when I cut my finger is "stealing", are you? Where do you think the charge nurse gets it from? Her personal supply she bought at KMart?
As for sanitary napkins, the ladies rest room should be stocked with them. In a civilized society, facilities actually supply, y'know, basic hygiene supplies in their public restrooms. I always put a "company" air freshener spray in the employee bathroom when the old one runs out. I guess my list of theft just keeps growing and growing......
Do you feel guilty for using toilet paper you didn't pay for? What if, god forbid, I used a packet of sugar from the unitt pantry for my coffee? Don't you see how ridiculous all this sounds??
Oh, good grief, you can't really be suggesting that using a "company" band aide when I cut my finger is "stealing", are you? Where do you think the charge nurse gets it from? Her personal supply she bought at KMart?
As for sanitary napkins, the ladies rest room should be stocked with them. In a civilized society, facilities actually supply, y'know, basic hygiene supplies in their public restrooms. I always put a "company" air freshener spray in the employee bathroom when the old one runs out. I guess my list of theft just keeps growing and growing......
Do you feel guilty for using toilet paper you didn't pay for? What if, god forbid, I used a packet of sugar from the unitt pantry for my coffee? Don't you see how ridiculous all this sounds??
Right, cause most nursing homes have an employee health dept.
By giving a CNA a Tylenol so they can do their job more effectively, I'm sure I'm saving the company a heckuva lot more than the pennies the pill cost them.
My honesty and integrity are completely intact, thank you very much. I would tell my DON in a heartbeat that I gave SusieQ a Tylenol for her back. My DON is well aware and I've done it in front of her, as a matter of fact. No dishonesty here.
It's only stealing if you take it without permission. I don't understand why you sound so angry. It seems that at your facility, you have tacit permission. As for the toilet paper thing (in your later post), all I have to say is "Really?"
I agree with the above statement. I would work in LTC. We are constantly on our feet and if one of my CNA's need a couple of Tylenol from a huge stock bottle to make it through the shift, I would gladly give them two. If their throat is burning and they are belching and feeling sick with indigestion, then yes, I would not hesitate to give a little Maalox. Our absentee policy is very strict and it doesn't matter why you are out, doctors note, trip to ER, makes no difference. There are so few good workers so giving something OTC to save a job, a fellow health care worker is well worth it. Quit being so uptight and show compassion for others, not just your patients. I would feel sorry for the person taking toilet paper as well and would probably buy them a 12 pack and give it to them with a hug and a joke. I have been there. I have lived in poverty and still struggle financially at times. I would warn my fellow nurse with concern to be mindful but I would NOT report her. It may be you one day and you will be wishing for a little leniency and understanding. Maybe not for this but for something. None of us is perfect. I heard from a wise older nurse once that if you have the time to catch every one else's mistakes, you must not be doing your own job. Of course, this doesn't apply when it comes to patient safety, you MUST do the right thing. Just saying, what goes around comes around. And as far as taking from the Pyxis, that is another ball game if it is signed out individually and they are charged. Perhaps a better route would be to start an OTC stash that everyone pitches in for to prevent this or suggest a policy that employees could sign out for personal use like one of the above responses. I know I have had a migraine during my shift and if if wasnt for the 4 ibuprofen I wouldn't have made it and the loss of productivity alone not to mention if I was fired for the EXTREMELY strict absence policy had I not taken the Ibuprofen was more than the cost.
canigraduate
2,107 Posts
Well, technically, yes it IS stealing, whether it's pennies or billions. The more virtuous route would be to ask around to the other employees and see who brought tylenol/ibuprofen/whatever that day. If I forget my own stash, I usually ask housekeeping. They always have something!!
And if I need a bandaid, I can usually get one from the charge nurse, or I go to employee health (or ask a housekeeper).
I will admit I stole a sanitary napkin once because I was too embarrassed to ask around, since that day it was mostly male nurses. And yes, I still feel guilty. Now I keep a stash of those, too.