Tech11HowMayIhelpyou

This subject is definately something that is hush-hush in my opinion. I have been a tech for a few years and call me naive but it never occured to me that nurses could or would develope a drug addiction. I guess maybe I hold Nursing on a slight pedistool of invincability. Then Suddenly the harsh reality was opened to me when two of my fellow co-workers were trapped in drug addiction. Both Nurses were two seperate occassions. I was very close with both of these nurses and Absolutely devestated. I was More angry than anything, We were friends... And they never reached out for my help. I was also Angry at myself... As many of my coworkers also felt the same way about themselves. I was angry because I knew something was wrong with them. I knew something wasn't right but I didn't act immediately and I didn't Trust my instinct. In the begining I thought there was something Medically wrong with this nurse as did several other coworkers. This nurse was withdrawn, lost weight, complained of headaches, fatigue, loss of appeite and various other symptoms. Mentally they werent there.. During the shift they would disappear for hours no matter how busy it was. Several of us thought maybe this nurse had Cancer. One Night I was alone with this Nurse and I actually got up enough nerve to ask them if they were on drugs. The reaction was an over exaggerated NO and don't repeat that again that doesn't need to be going around in the department. Immediately I should of known then that the Real Answer was Yes. I guess I didn't want to believe it. Shortly after that this Nurse was no longer working there anymore. You know the evil Gossip factor of the hospital and I have to give the manager Kudos because the manager Held a meeting for the entire department to explain why this particular nurse wasn't there anymore. It was done in a Caring-professional manner. It was done because We are a family and we do care for each other. I learned some valuable life lessons.. #1 no one is untouchable, not even a nurse #2 Trust yourself when something isn't right #3 Being a real friend sometimes forces us to do things that are hard.. Aiding in them keeping it a Secret isn't going to help them get better.

I work in an ER as a Tech II ( IV's,Bloods,Foleys,Splints Etc..) In my experience as a Tech have I been asked to adminster meds before.. yes. Have I done it, absolutely not. I have no Idea what medication they are handing me and I am certainly not going to push it. As Mentioned several times in this thread, Do people forget about their license ? I previously worked in an acute psychiatric unit where my nurse manager Handed me a medicine cup of pudding and said it had trazadone in it and to give it to so and so. I just simply responded "I don't feel comfortable doing that let me find a Nurse that could help out" Not only is this a TOTAL disreguard for patient safety it is putting your Tech/CNA in an awful position. I thank God that I have enough common sense to be able to tell.. the nurse and Yes even My manager NO. What is scary that it is fairly easy to become an assistant and if I was newer and less familar with the healthcare industry... I would have probably done Whatever the nurse told me to do. Because if the nurse was telling me to do it... It had to be done... Right ? She wouldn't tell me to do something that was wrong... Right ? And Ultimately Remember CYA .... CYA Baby.. Because if something goes wrong.. You Are Responsible.