Brewingbiker

The only similarity I have is that I left bedside r/t a new onset of heart failure with rather low function (minor improvement over time, more like my body has adapted to the low fraction) and have worked in various non-bedside roles, mostly case management and care coordination. I haven't been bedside since we were using paper charts (so yeah, about 15 yrs, maybe a little more). I have been thinking of returning to bedside again, as I'm a bit tired of what I do, and finding a CM-related position in 3x12 shifts is difficult (I have one -but they are usually 4x10 or moreso 5x8) I love 3x12. Was hoping someone would provide input to your question so could use similar advice. At the moment before I try to take that leap, I'm waiting to have a couple of procedures done (and heal) -need my defibrillator replaced (no big deal) and a R-ankle replacement (little more challenging).

Not quite the same, but similar: I burned out in my prior medical career (paramedic on an ambulance) and just needed a break -not really having any idea what kind of job/field I wanted to pursue -and not being able to live without a job, I got my CDL-A and started driving rigs (trucks). I did this for a bit over two years and considered making it my new life career, but decided I wanted to get into nursing. Point is, there are some relatively quick avenues where you can just get away to catch a break from this, or leave entirely (do you have any real interest in another field?) but as above, keep your nursing license current. ( I let my EMT-A and P lapse, but in truth, I had no intention of ever going back. I have had a few regrets about it over the years, but realistically it was a better choice for me).

PLEASE follow the advice given by @Regalnurse Any embarrassment you suffer regarding your boss is only on you -your boss really will not care about these details. "Their" primary concern is having an employee they can count on. Yours is staying employed in the field you chose. The advice I've seen this nurse provide (twice, now) is solid and can save you a LOT of headache down the road. You really should follow it. Whatever you did (pot) is done, now you need to step forward to the future -your next actions until you get notified by the BON are what will determine your future. @Regal 's advice is solid, do it and move forward. You will save yourself a lot of stress later.

I like that! I used to fit that description -then I just got old and tired (grin), now I just want my days on shift to go by, and spend time with my wife, dogs, and harley. The sad part is, I used to really enjoy being a nurse. I looked forward to going to work. Oh well.

I'd be truly impressed if someone popped an etoh test off of vanilla extract. I mean I guess anything is possible, but would believe you would have to consume (in that icing) a LOT of it to get an alcohol reading high enough to do that. Especially six hours later. But to be fair, if I know I'm going to be tested, I guess I'd avoid the cake /icing until after the test (nothing to celebrate prior to the test anyway). certainly something to think about. Of note, some things we eat or take (dietary suppliments, for example) can leave metabolites that give or push a false reading (thankfully this is very unlikely to be above the minimum limits for the test, but I still found it interesting)

@sideshowstarlet THIS!! Honestly, I wish I'd known someone like you back when I worked under my last manager at my old facility. It may have cut out a number of years of bullying (and that really is what this is) from an upper manager. I did not realize how over-stressed I was due to that person until I (finally) left. The sad part is, prior to that individual, I loved working there, and enjoyed working with my co-workers. I had some great experiences and learned a lot. But like the frog that is happily sitting in the pot of water, I never realized the temp started rising slowly until it was starting to boil. I hate to see this happening to others, and hope the OP manages to get this under control -the damage to your health due to unwarranted stress is, well, not worth it.

While I understand the fear of some of the commentors, it truly is misplaced. Long before I became an RN, I worked for a construction company in the role of safety coordinator -the only relevant part is that one of my duties was drug-testing new hires, and random drug testing certain personnel. ALL (and I do mean all) drug/substance testing has 'buffer levels', that is, you can have a small value, but still come out lower than what would be triggered as a positive value. Its a safeguard against false positives (for instance the often cited myth by some drug abusers that their hamburger had poppy seeds, and that made them pop the test). Some natural substances and (legal) food products may result in a small amount being detected, but it will be WELL BELOW even the most stringent drug test levels. No way are you going to get popped for eating food with soy or vanilla extract, or washing your hands with sanitizer (I love to cook, and make my own vanilla extract, using vodka to leech the vanilla beans, over months -cooking will flash off any alcohol -alcohol evaporates at 170F). Even if it didn't, you have what, a half tsp or tsp in the whole dish you are cooking, divide it by the serving you eat? Do the math. Being careful is one thing, but going neurotic is unhealthy,

Sideshow beat me to it, but C.L, well said! Well said indeed. I have lost friends to addictions (one was narcotics, the others were alcoholic-related) and that was very difficult to go through. I cannot make the claim of understanding or even relating to this pain because I have never suffered from this disease. I do feel bad for those who fight it -and for their families and friends. I have never counted myself as superior, but I do count myself as lucky. We all work hard to become nurses (no matter the level we achieve, it is not a simple, nor easy achievement). I hate to see anyone lose what they have worked for. As for our OP, I will hope for the best outcome on the journey through recovery. Know that you will always have someone in me, and many others, who are willing to listen.

And please, by all means, TAKE NOTES. I had a manger who did things like this at my last hospital, made our lives a nightmare. Unfortunately the HR at that facility was not very useful. Take notes. It works to keep your thoughts and memories straight, and helps keep (them) a bit more honest when they know you keep records.

True, but let's be honest, diversions are not a new thing. Even in your (both of your) honorable times long ago, professionals still diverted meds, came to work impaired and broke other cardinal rules. I fail to see how making this nurse feel worse will help anything. Do you honestly think she does not know it was a bad choice?

Try to get past this. It really is part of life and the profession we chose. I still recall the first patient I "lost" and it was long before I became an RN. If it didn't matter at all to you, I would be concerned, but otoh, remember that these patients are sick, and people do die. That is life. Strokes don't happen suddenly, there are chains of events set in motion long before they came to the hospital. Things you had no control over. Be well.

Agreed. I have been running into this a lot more over the last decade or so, physicians wanting to simply sign and not make the decision. Copying data is one thing, but making determinations is another. When it reaches the line on my scope of practice, I make them fill their part out. My license is on the line.

I wish you the best of luck.

I'm trying to make the same decision. I'm still working, a BSN with case management certification, and I turn 60 in three weeks. Complications that have to be taken into account are health-related (on top of existing debts) which are primarily cardiac (am a heart failure patient, class III (but stable) and arthritis (youth was much more fun)). Have really been thinking hard about pursuing my NP, but do not wish to achieve it only to find I can no longer work, and really do not wish to bury my wife with debt (not to mention the sacrifices she will make as I return to full time studying while keeping a full time job). Its a lot to think about. Have been talking to two schools. My college career has been nothing less than straight 'A', I have little doubt I could do the coursework, I'm just not sure about the consequences (financially and marriage-wise -Wifey would support my decision, but I do not wish to be a jerk of a husband)

Ellebelle, I have no advice to offer. Still, I read your post with interest because I am going through a similar debate (RN BSN CMCC), trying to determine if it is even financially feasible (or wise) to reach for a master's (I had originally wished to achieve my doctorate). If I were a couple of decades younger, this would not be a question. I'd do it. But I'm turning 60 in a few weeks and have (not insurmountable) debt (not school-related) as it is. I was (and remain) simply curious to see how you resolve this dilemma.