JK123

I really like the second paragraph of the original post.

Hi bgirl123, I can understand your frustration. I work on an adult psych/detox unit, my mother in law is an addictionologist, and I also have experience as a previous drug user and recovering addict. I am also going to school to become a PMHNP. I'm not saying that Suboxone is worse than using some of the opiates but it is still that, an opiate. I too have taken prescription pain medicine for surgery and actually flushed them once I no longer needed them. It was difficult though. I wasn't responding to your post to upset you, but rather to state my beliefs and many others' beliefs as it relates to sobriety or clean time. I might be wrong though and will keep an open mind as I dig deeper. ?

Just speaking with experience in recovery I think Suboxone is a great drug to help individuals wean off opiates. However, it is my understanding that the drug was not made to be used long term as a substitute. I would highly recommend that you work with an addictionologist who knows a lot about recovery and also work with someone in a 12 step program. Even if prescribed Suboxone you still run the risk of harming a patient due to being under the influence at work even if you are used to the effects of Suboxone. I would say the same thing to anyone that is not a recovering addict and takes opiates regularly for pain. I hope that I do not come off as being inconsiderate. I just love recovery and want whats best for recovery nurses as well as patients. Just as a side note I have been going to AA and NA for 16 years. My most recent sobriety date is 10/1/2011. I pray that I never have to change it again.

The poll was good, however it did not account for those that do not have one but do see a need. It also doesn't account for the ones that may want one soon.

I really like this suggestion. I think a lot of times leaders do not think they need to ask staff, but having input from the staff will increase the chances of success. A leader asking staff there opinion may even foster some camaraderie among the team of nurses. I recently wrote a paper about "Twenty-First Century Thinking About Leadership and Management" and attended a satellite location for the Global Leadership Summit 2019. ErinLeighRN I would be glad to share that paper with you if you think it would be helpful.

This is some great advice. When i was a new nurse there were a couple of instances where I had flashback and did not insert the needle more prior to advancing the cannula. The result was very disturbing as the cannula, when advanced, did not go into the vein but rather pushed the skin upwards. I asked a veteran was I was doing wrong and this is the advice she gave me. I thank God that this nurse was polite and not demeaning as some veterans can be. ?

I would definitely be up front about it. I actually got my current position for being up front about something similar. I was going on a mission trip and told them during the interview that if I was offered the position I would need to take off for planned mission trip. Come to find out the manager is also a pastor part time and I really think that played into me being hired.

That's the same thing I was thinking too. You are protected with intermittent FMLA. I had to use this once before several years back. I had a great boss and he told me to ensure that I went through the FMLA process.

I'm not sure I understand what "has helped" you. Edit: Forgive me. I do understand now. My thinking is a little off this morning ? As for starting an IV I like to be really organized. I take a flush, the IV start kit, and any other supplies that I may need for the order (Lab tubes, IV Antibiotics, IV pole, fluids, etc) with me into the room. I also think that it is more important that we can feel the vein than it is for us to be able to see the vein. If I can feel a really good vein that does not have a pulse I would stick it any day over a vein that I can see and it not be very palpable. Just my 2 cents. ?

Thank you all for your responses. The consensus is what I hoped for, that reporting something like this is the right action to take.

Thank you so much for your timely response. I agree.

Hi everyone, Let's say there is a psych patient that attempts suicide. Then a coworker takes a picture with his or her phone of the blood, sends it to another coworker, and then that coworker shows it to me at a later date. Would I be ethically bound to report that to my immediate supervisor?

Hi everyone, I am needing about 9 more people to participate in the poll. There are only 4 questions and does not take more than a minute to complete.

Hi Michigan 94, It takes a lot of courage sharing something like that. So first off I would like to commend you for it. I think that a lot of nurses, including myself, struggle with depression type issues. It really helps me to know that there are others like me. With that being said I think honesty is the best policy. I would probably say something along the lines of having a medical condition that required you to miss work and leave it at that. Depression is actually covered by FMLA, but I assume you did not qualify for it yet as you had not been there long enough. When you say it is your fault, I disagree to a certain extent. I can't think of a situation where a mental illness like depression is someones fault. It is a mental illness that some people are born with. I think some people do not put a great emphasis on mental health and think that if we are not physically ill then we are fine. I am sorry you had to go through this and if they could not work with you due to a mental illness then you may not have needed to work there anyway. Be good to yourself and fight the shame by bringing it to light with people that you trust. Take responsibility for anything that is actually your fault and leave the rest for others to take responsibility. We do not have to carry the blame for others' shortcomings.

Hi everyone, I have been an RN for 9 years. I am now trying to further my degree by working on my BSN with hopes of going to DNP school to become a PMHNP. I am really interested in the disease of addiction am currently doing a patient safety and quality improvement project on addiction education for patients who have received opiates either in the hospital or as a prescription. I am submitting a poll for anyone who is interested in participating. There are only a few questions and any participation would help tremendously. Only poll content will show up, no names. The poll will close on 10/18/2019 at 2359. Thank you in advance to everyone who participates. JKay38