Failed breathalyzer

Nurses Recovery

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Does anyone know if failing a breathalyzer at work is a reportable offense to the BON? I am going to be terminated next week cuz of a stupid mistake I made. Started a new unit and had a few daytime classes to attend blah blah blah.

I'm a night-shifter and went to am class sill smelling of alcohol. Failed the breathalyzer miserably. I blew a .05 prob 10 hours after my last drink...

I haven't been officially fired but will prob happen on Tues. I wasn't taking care of patients or giving meds and I have a spotless record of 4 years of my nursing career. Wondering if quitting would be better than termination? And, more importantly is my license in jeopardy?

Any words of wisdom greatly appreciated.

Specializes in School Nurse.

Nothing "snarky" in my posts, just one of genuine concern. I'm not saying people can't drink (and I certainly do myself). It is another to show up to work when you have been drinking. Drink on your day off or the night before or whatever, but be stone cold sober before you get near the hospital. If you have to confess and say you can't work, do so and endure the consequences. I guarantee they'll be less than if you actually show up under the influence, or god help you, a patinet suffers due to your inebreiation.

The poster blamed his school/work schedule for his situation which is a rather pathetic excuse. Furhter, unless I'm mistaken not only was he at .05 10 hours after taking a drink, that those 10 hours included his shift doing patient care. This is EXTREMELY BAD.

If you can't show up to work and give your patients your sober attention, you need to be looking at a different career.

The classic DSM definition of a substance abuse problems is when the consumption of such intereres with your daily life. Loosing your job and perhaps your desired career certainly fits that definition.

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

I am not unsympathetic to the plight of those in the grips of addiction.

Congrats! You realize you are posting in a forum for nurses with addiction, right? But thanks for coming in and educating us on how addiction works. Maybe you should take your patronizing lectures on the AA circuit.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I would love to see a 12-step program for masala addiction.

Serious question about this though:

So basically, if you get dx'd with depression and need meds to help control it, that's reportable to the BON? Sorry for the question, I'm a total newb and I'm trying to learn as a I go.

Rock on everyone

Most BON's only consider mental illness reportable if it involves psychosis that requires antipsychotic medication. Run if the mill depression is not reportable.

Hppy

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Congrats! You realize you are posting in a forum for nurses with addiction, right? But thanks for coming in and educating us on how addiction works. Maybe you should take your patronizing lectures on the AA circuit.

Having been raised in chaos by two alcoholics, and having two as siblings, I am well aware of "how addiction works" thanks.

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Most BON's only consider mental illness reportable if it involves psychosis.

Thanks, Hppy! :)

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Where are people gathering that OP worked the night before his/her class? Yes, he/she works night shift, but I never assumed that he/she worked the night before he/she attended class.

I work at a medical center/teaching hospital and I do work nights. I never work the night before I have class.

Perhaps the OP had the night off before his/her class. Please, let's not make any assumptions.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.
Where are people gathering that OP worked the night before his/her class? Yes, he/she works night shift, but I never assumed that he/she worked the night before he/she attended class.

I work at a medical center/teaching hospital and I do work nights. I never work the night before I have class.

Perhaps the OP had the night off before his/her class. Please, let's not make any assumptions.

I have to agree. Likely op had gone out the night before and showed up to class the next day. I have trouble believing they got simultaneously drunk and worked the floor.

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I was off the previous night hence the alcohol consumption. I was not taking care of patients, I went to a class when incident occurred. Had I been taking care of patients, I would expect termination as only outcome. Was just seeking a little advice from anyone who may have gone through a similar experience. I'm not being offered a monitoring program since this was a one time incident. Which from the horror stories I have read about the programs, I'm not sure I would even want to take it. HR told my manager they didn't think they had to report it since no patient care was involved, and that if I resigned instead of termination, then it was not going to be reported. I figure if it was a clear cut rule, then it would be reported regardless. anyways, thanks for words of wisdom and i am not offended by what could be interpreted as snark. Its my own fault.

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Thread closed for review.

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