Nursing student taking drugs

heron, ASN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

The OP has raised an interesting question.

Yes, it does bring the high horses out of the barn ... but that's part of the question, too.

It's a fact that impaired nurses exist ... and I'm not just talking about opioids and drug diversion ... and do a lot of damage to both patients and coworkers.

It's also a fact that we are de facto narcotics cops every time we sign in a delivery, sign out a dose or do narcotics count at the change of shift. It's all inventory control to make sure drugs do not fall into the wrong hands.

I haven't read any statements to the effect that we should myob if we see someone impaired at work.

The question is, is it our responsibility to report behavior off the job in order to prevent someone from coming to work impaired?

This is different from the argument over whether a particular substance of abuse should be legal ... though maybe we could take that one into a non-nursing part of the site and have a good time with it.

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

Am I to assume you paid for all your music and movies too?

I don't understand your sarcasm/hositility??? This is a board that we should be kind to one another and not treat people's opionion the way you're treating mine. And yes, last time I checked, I pay almost $200/month for

my movies and cable, and yes I pay for CDs when I go to the store. You say I shoplift???

I don't really think that is a very kind way of responding to my post, which is my opinion.

You have your opinion, I have mine. As far as another poster says, going over the speed

limit doesn't get you thrown in jail and get your nursing license revoked.

I know you've got to be intelligent enough to understand my point of view :)

CloudySue · Jan 10, 2009

On the job? It's absolutely required that you report if that person is currently at work under the influence. Our instructors drilled this into our heads the first week of school. However, we have never been told to report ANY known instance of drug use. I would mind my own business. Many people are occasional users who can be responsible (believe it or not!), just as most people who drink alcohol do it responsibly on their own time. When the time comes for a drug test for employment, I'll get the job, not them. So it's all good.

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

Whoever the moderators are on this particular thread.....some posters are

sure starting to sound tacky towards other posters. We're all suppose to be on the same team, but from what I read here.....it sure doens't seem like it.

I come here for helpful information and to post my opinion and most often get blasted for it. I hear sarcasm and disrespectfulness in many posts. I agree with having healthy debates, but this seems to get a little out of hand on all nurses.......don't you think? It's just gotten so disrespectful, IMO.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

I do not understand why the medical profession continues to abuse interns and residents making them work 36 hour days. Pay your dues right.. I dont think so....

I thought this practice was being abandoned. The interns and residents at my facility haven't worked 36 hour shifts in years. It's a proven fact they are dangerous and hospitals aren't willing to accept that liability.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

There seems to be a couple of camps here in this thread.

I would probably be in the "mind your own business" camp.

Whether I like it or not pot is illegal to smoke in Florida and if caught in my system I will be reported to the BON. Many nurses here in FL have to jump through hoops to keep their license and have marks on their license because of harmlessly smoking pot on the weekends, at parties, or whatever and are not impaired at work. They are usually caught in random drug screens. Happened in our OR when they were looking for missing fentanyl and they busted a very good nurse.

I'm not going to be foolish enough to jepordize my reputation and livelihood for a night of being high.

If other nurses and students want to play Russian roullette with their livelihood over their right to party or to make a point and are willing to take that chance it's their life, but I think it's foolish.

People know the rules and their are consequences.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

Whoever the moderators are on this particular thread.....some posters are
sure starting to sound tacky towards other posters. We're all suppose to be on the same team, but from what I read here.....it sure doens't seem like it.
I come here for helpful information and to post my opinion and most often get blasted for it. I hear sarcasm and disrespectfulness in many posts. I agree with having healthy debates, but this seems to get a little out of hand on all nurses.......don't you think? It's just gotten so disrespectful, IMO.

Thanks for letting us know how you feel. I hope we can just self-police ourselves and be respectful of another another.

EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion and should be respected for it regardless of it's a majority opinion or not.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 10, 2009

And...we have to realize that the OP didn't give us much to go on either. Its a simple question that, when we add our own details to it, has morphed into something else.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 10, 2009

I hope we can just self-police ourselves and be respectful of another another.
EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion and should be respected for it regardless of it's a majority opinion or not.

Overall I think this forum is really good about doing this and agreeing to disagree doesn't necessarily translate into a personal attack.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

I haven't read all the posts, but to answer the OP, I think if you have first hand knowledge (you actually saw it) then its up to you what you are willing to live with.

I've known nursing students who have told me they use IV drugs and I chose not to say anything. I chose that because I did not see them doing anything. If I would have seen it, damn right I would have reported it! I know many who claim to smoke pot, but I haven't seen it. My narc counts at work have never been off after following any nurse.

Now, I try to live right and realize that most drugs are illegal. I don't drink in excess either. I hope that my fellow nurses realize they have to work the next am so maybe that drug or drink may not be the best thing to have. All I can do is hope that and try not to judge another person because I'm so far from perfect. As long as pts safety isn't an issue, I hope that we all use common sense.

There's a fine line between a persons privacy off the job and the job reaching into that privacy.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

I haven't read all the replies to this thread, but I see that the moderators have had to intercede.

Look, you all know the laws of the country and the states where you live. We work with drugs and some of them are controlled substances. We practice under licenses granted by the state we live in that asks us about drug and alcohol convictions. If any of you use these drugs and never get caught using or in possession of this stuff, consider yourself lucky. If you do get caught you can't take back the embarrassment, remorse or damage to your life no matter how large or small it is.

One of the younger students I went to school with who was newly licensed showed me and a friend a joint she had in her uniform one day. We told her, "you are crazy for keeping marijuana in your uniform pocket and bringing it to work with you!" It's not a problem for her anymore. Shortly after she was involved in a terrible traffic accident and was killed instantly. I have no idea if drugs were involved or not.

coolpeach · Jan 10, 2009

Unless I see them doing it in the hospital parking lot prior to clinicals then its not my business. I have a responsibility to protect patients, and someone smoking pot prior/during clinical would make it my obligation to step forward. What someone does in their personal/free time that does not endanger a patient is not my business. I had way too much to drink last weekend when out with friends. Are they going to run and tell my teacher? NO, because its not their business, and I didn't endanger patients.

I know you will say that there is a difference because pot is illegal,and thats true. Again, it's still not your business because they are not putting patients in danger. My school does random drug testing, and they will eventually get caught. There's a difference between being responsible, and just getting in everyones business, and being a busy body.