Nurse doing cocaine HELP

Pvt. Parts · Jun 22, 2005

Got a question for y'all...

If she's not working while riding her her high/recovering from her high, why should she be reported?

It's an ethical question and I have my own answer. I'm curious as to what others think.

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · Jun 22, 2005

Got a question for y'all...
If she's not working while riding her her high/recovering from her high, why should she be reported?
It's an ethical question and I have my own answer. I'm curious as to what others think.

I would not want someone as my nurse who breaks the law. It means that she does not care about rules and thinks that she is above them. If she thinks that about doing coke whats to say that she will not think that about safty measures of the hospital and could potentially harm a patient.

Stitchie · Jun 22, 2005

Got a question for y'all...
If she's not working while riding her her high/recovering from her high, why should she be reported?
It's an ethical question and I have my own answer. I'm curious as to what others think.

Coke isn't just a fun thing to do at parties. It stays in your system for a while. Aside from that, the personality of one who would abuse drugs is not exactly the most stable, rational person on the planet. Judgment impairment is one of the most adversely affected personality trait, and it has dire consequences for those in her care, whether they are patients or co-workers.

Because of the after-effects of cocaine use. There are a plethora of physical ailments, ranging from the 'crash' in which overwhelming exhaustion overtakes the patient, to craving more cocaine, to extreme irritation and paronia.

All of these factors can and will influence patient care, which is why this unfortunate soul needs rehab now.

Again, I wish the OP good luck. This is a very difficult situation to be in, but I'd report her no matter what -- especially if you are NOT working at the hospital as of yet; you can do your ethical duty without worrying about the backlash of her coworkers.

If she's acting out so strongly now, she may very well be using on the job. Who's to say that the entire unit isn't aware or colluding with her to keep her secret. Sadly, this burden rests on your shoulders.

Best wishes.

TypicalFish · Jun 22, 2005

Got a question for y'all...
If she's not working while riding her her high/recovering from her high, why should she be reported?
It's an ethical question and I have my own answer. I'm curious as to what others think.

She has poor judgement, doesn't mind breaking federal law,has an addictive behavior and deals with other people who have no problem breaking federal laws, and doesn't mind edangering her health for "fun";doesn't mind risking getting those around her into trouble-how could this mindset not affect her work-do you have any idea what a nurse in an ICU does?-And it stands to reason, if she's CARRYING around a BIG BAG of coke, she's doing it more than once in a while. BTW that is not an ethical question-If you want to talk ethics, then consider Professional Ethics ; from the Concise Law Dictionary: Of or relating to moral action and conduct; professionally right; conforming to professional standards. There is no way that you can say that her behavior is professional in any way. An ethical question is a question where there is no clear cut "right" or "wrong" answer; the very fact that she is engaged in illegal and dangerous behavior anytime makes it clear that this is not an "ethical" question.

mstigerlily · Jun 22, 2005

OK well NOW that you've given me a lot more information I agree, talking to her will do no good and she is mostly likely not receptive to help!!!!!! From her background, I do feel some empathy for her but she definitely sounds like a habitual user and a danger to her patients. This is the most important thing at this point. You should definitely report her.

Melissa

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I do have problems with her but they are all associated with her coke use. I have been told by my friend that she has lost control of her temper enough to put 4 holes in her walls due to a binge night with the powder. She weighs about 90 pounds so for her to have put 4 holes at one time into her wall says she did enough to be impaired pretty badly. She once threw my friend out after a night of coke. His response to this was... don't worry. She will go get an 8 ball and everything will be fine. That scares me.
Other than her coke use I have nothing much to say about her. She has an abusive history from step fathers (5 of them). The fact she mixes her drugs with no consern to the effects on any body system is her problem. Heck, I have my ACLS. I can do CPR.
My first impression of her was not bad. Up until the point she broke out the bag of coke I had some red flags just by what I was told but if I had to judge her myself I would say she was a nice person. I have seen her drink for about 12 hours straight enough alcohol to knock out the best of them but she remained standing.
I haven't made up my mind about the situation. My intensions are not pure at this point. She is getting my friend hooked and that clouds my judgement a bit so your point is well taken. I haven't worked with her professionally nor have I witnessed her working impaired so to "snitch" at this point may look vendictive. This is not my intention.
Recreational drugs do not bother me. If they are controled. My fear is that since she has become uncontroled in her personal life what is it like in her professional life.
As someone mentioned... would I want a coke addict working on one of my family members in an ICU. My answer is no.
Lori

mstigerlily · Jun 22, 2005

Lori, now that you've given me so much more information about this woman and about your friend, I feel bad for giving her the benefit of the doubt. I thought this was a one time situation and that perhaps there wasa little jealousy/competition over your good male friend. I was clearly mistaken and I apologize.

Given all that you've said, I don't understand why you are hesitating. She is clearly beyond the point of experimentation and undoubtedly not receptive to getting help and worse still, she is dragging your friend down with her. Please send a letter to the DON, nurse manager and human resources at the hospital. Also to her travel company. Just be concise and let them know this nurse has a drug problem, specifically cocaine, alcohol and marijuana and will probably not pass a drug test. And that you are concerned about patient safety and you are sure they are too. There is really not much more to say than that, concise to the point. They should act on it.

And yes, you may lose your friend. But years down the road he may thank you.

Melissa

No, it just means that she has poor judgement, doesn't mind breaking federal law,has an addictive behavior and deals with other people who have no problem breaking federal laws, and doesn't mind edangering her health for "fun" (remember Len Bias, anyone?) doesn't mind risking getting those around her into trouble-And it stands to reason, if she's CARRYING around a BIG BAG of coke, she's doing it more than once in a while. You need to think about what you are saying here. I'm with Gromit.

Actually if I did report her I risk losing my friend as he WILL side with her. It's a known fact. It's a given. Yes, it is true I would not be upset in the least if she was away from him but only due to her drug use and his past history. Other than this I have no problem with thier relationship at all. In a lot of ways she is good for him or at least makes him happy and when he is happy I am happy. There are other problems but this is not what drives my consern over the drugs. The other stuff is minor compared to this. She IS hooking my friend on this drug. He lived with me for a year and while he was a pot smoker, coke never entered the picture. He has an addictive personality and will become addicted to the coke easily. He used to take hydrocodones and became hooked for a while. I am not a drug user so his ability was limited. Put two drug users together and it's a train wreck. Mind you this is not a lover situation. He is pure friend. I am happily married. I have no motive to want to see him break up with this girl other than the fact she is a drug user. Telling on her would backfire on me and I would lose him. It would not effect their relationship at all except to ignite fire between all of us. He approves of her behavior. When they did it in front of me, she had the coke, handed it to him and he cut the lines like a pro. I have never seen him do that before. The nurse in me sees my patients or any patient as priority. I would not want a coke abuser taking care of me in an ICU.

Lori

IMustBeCrazy · Jun 23, 2005

Anyone that cavalier with a 'friendship' in the first place is...get this....NOT A TRUE FRIEND. Ever hear of that line "he's just not into you"? Well in this case apply it to your friendship.

The hard reality is, you are on a health care forum trying to justify and condone drug use (reading between the lines, no pun intended) and he is flat out implying that the price of your friendship is some lines of coke. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

I apologize for my bluntness, but *you* are complicit in this situation as well. God forbid should something happen to a patient while she is under the influence and someone find out that you knew this all along....goodbye license.

grannynurse FNP student · Jun 23, 2005

Got a question for y'all...
If she's not working while riding her her high/recovering from her high, why should she be reported?
It's an ethical question and I have my own answer. I'm curious as to what others think.

Because you only have her WORD that she never works when high. And because she is breaking the law and endangering herself and patients. And perhaps you need another course in ethics. This is not an ethical consideration, it is a legal one. And as an ethical individuaL, one has the responsibility to report any nurse suspected of abusing drugs. Sorry this is just my opinion.

Grannynurse :balloons:

medsurgnurse, RN · Jun 23, 2005

No, it just means that she has poor judgement, doesn't mind breaking federal law,has an addictive behavior and deals with other people who have no problem breaking federal laws, and doesn't mind edangering her health for "fun" (remember Len Bias, anyone?) doesn't mind risking getting those around her into trouble-And it stands to reason, if she's CARRYING around a BIG BAG of coke, she's doing it more than once in a while. You need to think about what you are saying here. I'm with Gromit.

Actually if I did report her I risk losing my friend as he WILL side with her. It's a known fact. It's a given. Yes, it is true I would not be upset in the least if she was away from him but only due to her drug use and his past history. Other than this I have no problem with thier relationship at all. In a lot of ways she is good for him or at least makes him happy and when he is happy I am happy. There are other problems but this is not what drives my consern over the drugs. The other stuff is minor compared to this. She IS hooking my friend on this drug. He lived with me for a year and while he was a pot smoker, coke never entered the picture. He has an addictive personality and will become addicted to the coke easily. He used to take hydrocodones and became hooked for a while. I am not a drug user so his ability was limited. Put two drug users together and it's a train wreck. Mind you this is not a lover situation. He is pure friend. I am happily married. I have no motive to want to see him break up with this girl other than the fact she is a drug user. Telling on her would backfire on me and I would lose him. It would not effect their relationship at all except to ignite fire between all of us. He approves of her behavior. When they did it in front of me, she had the coke, handed it to him and he cut the lines like a pro. I have never seen him do that before. The nurse in me sees my patients or any patient as priority. I would not want a coke abuser taking care of me in an ICU.

Lori

So if the patients are a priority what's the dilemma? Report the drug abuser and let the chips fall where they may. best case scenario she gets help. If you are happily married what is really bothering you about losing this friend? Are there unresolved emotions for him? From your subsequent posts it appears that not losing the friendship has taken priority over all else. You don't want to rock the boat and risk losing your friend. You could just sit back and watch him loose his life to drug addition.

leslie :-D · Jun 23, 2005

you can also anonymously report this to the BON, as long as it's done in good faith.

if you're afraid it would slip through the cracks at your facility, then the BON is the way to go- they will act on it and will keep your name in goodstanding.

but to NOT do anything is dangerous. you've already stated your friend has a habit of falling for the wrong women, yet your loyalty to him supersedes the risk of an impaired nurse treating a vulnerable population. and even when not going coke, it certainly does affect your cns, predisposing you to paranoia, irritability and other withdrawal symptoms. coke is a dangerous and deadly drug. report her- no gray areas here.

leslie

PMHNP10 · Jun 23, 2005

A very close male friend has a new girlfriend. She is an ICU nurse. I have only met her twice and my friend states he is in love with her. I have a big big problem. The last time we went out she broke out a bag of coke. She admitted to me she had a drinking problem as a young teen. From what I saw she still has it. She did mix coke and alcohol that night. My friend told me she doesn't do coke on the days she works. I don't know if I believe that or not. I know where she works. I know her Director. If I tell even without using my name they will know it's me. I will loose my friend who means the world to me, but the ethical and professional in me is giving me the kick. It's been bothering me for a long time. I would like some other opinions before I make up my mind. I know what I should do and I know what will happen if I do it. HELP.
Lori

Forgive me, but is there really any need to post this question? If you were her patient, would you delay for even a millisecond reporting her? I suspect not unless you have a death wish.

rn/writer, RN · Jun 23, 2005

Which do you value more--your relationship with your friend or your relationship with your own self? How would you feel if you heard this nurse had injured or killed a patient? Would you allow innocent passengers to board a plane if you knew the pilot was drunk or high?

Denial is an amazing animal. If the coke nurse is telling you she never works when she's buzzed, she's got it bad. Some of the after effects of coke use are depression, fatigue, mood swings, jitteryness, and confusion. This is AFTER the high has worn off.

If, at any point, coke nurse is receptive to help, the psych hospital I used to work at has a wonderful program for impaired professionals. Some of the patients are there because they were court-ordered and keeping their licenses was contingent on getting treatment. The program has its own free-standing building (gorgeous) on an absolutely breath-taking lake country campus. You can Google the Herrington Recovery Center or Rogers Memorial Hospital.

This nurse put you in a very uncomfortable situation. I'm thinking she was either testing you to see how much you would put up with, or she was indirectly asking for help from someone she perceived had a professional obligation to draw some lines. Or she wanted to get you out of the male friend's life because you'd be the voice of reason.

None of this matters. She needs to be removed from patient care. You can blow the whistle on her anonymously, but even if your friend assumes it was you who outed her, he'll either come around or he won't. Someone else might turn her in and you'd still get the blame. You might as well go for it.

Do what you need to do.

Miranda F.