OK - Here's a question I've been wondering about for a while, but don't want to ask for obvious reasons.
OK - I'm sure that all hospitals have this process - if there is an external disastor, our hospital has a process where all staff is called in - it has a code name, that I am reluctant to use it - lets just call it "fan out and go". Basically, its a process where all staff is called and expected to come in and help out because of some external disastor. Fine and dandy - I can come in if needed. But... (here's my question) what should one do if they have been drinking? Now, I would NEVER drink before going on duty, but we are talking about something happening on my day off.
do you
a) Say sorry I'm tanked, I can't come in = thereby giving you the reputation as the boozer nurse and basically destroying any chance of promotion.
b) Go in, but say "I've been drinking, I can't safely give meds, start IVs, etc, :saint:but can probably do basic nsg care, freeing up someone else to do what I am too tanked to do.
c) Go in, drink lots of caffeine and water in route, hoping that that plus the adrenaline rush of a true emerency will sober you up
or d) Just say, I've been drinking, I can 't come in, thereby basically destroying your chances for promotion as in # 1.
Don't say just don't answer your phone, lets assume your have answered and are now in this predicament.
Not that its ever happened to me! I'm just curious -(as I pour myself another rum and coke....)
I do not drink, so not a problem; however, your day off is your day off. I would not feel angry if somebody told me no because it was their day off and they simply did not want to come in.
As an after thought: Coffee, caffeine, and a sympathetic response will not "sober you up," you will simply be an awake drunk person.
"My NP has told me that red wine may be beneficial to the cardiovascular system, and I just had my second dose for the evening..."
Yes, she just did!
I don't know why "I'm sorry, I've been drinking" shouldn't be a perfectly good answer. I've often wondered why nurses whose jobs won't ever let them enjoy a day off in peace don't start using it. (I would, and if I started to be known as the unit lush I'd start using mouthwash just prior to coming in to work, just to watch people contort themselves to try and see if I'd been drinking! But then I have a rather warped sense of humor.)
Why can't my co-workers be more like you?
To the OP, I would have no problem saying I have had a couple of glasses of wine and feel if I came in right now I would be working impaired. However, in a few hours if the crisis still exists I would be more than willing to come in to relieve someone who is able to come in now.
However, it's probably a bad idea to say, "I have to wait until the joint I'm smoking wears off, but shouldn't be long, you're totally killing my buzz."
Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
Ok to say, "I've had a couple drinks."
However, it's probably a bad idea to say, "I have to wait until the joint I'm smoking wears off, but shouldn't be long, you're totally killing my buzz."
You could say it, but you might expect to see a specimen cup in your near future.
I wasn't thinking about blizzard, hurricane, or wild fire when reading the OP; I had in mind something like industrial accident, plane crash, or multi-vehicle accident- something no one could anticipate.
I would say, "sorry, I have been drinking". This is your day off and what you legally do with it is none of their business.
exactly that !
I have been called many times and asked to come in to fill a call-in or whatever and told them sorry its my day off I can't come in, if they ask why, which is actually none of their business then I will tell them that I have had a glass of wine or two.
Same would go for a disaster, if you had something to drink you can go in and help 12 hours later or whatever. No one can expect you to foresee a future need.
However, it's probably a bad idea to say, "I have to wait until the joint I'm smoking wears off, but shouldn't be long, you're totally killing my buzz."
I would not say that or do that.
No matter how we may feel about it, remember Alcohol is legal and the other is not!
I would be comfortable with any of the above answers. However, if you really want to know you must check your policy and procedures at work for the definitive answer.
Also, there is no way to clear your system of alcohol more quickly. It is removed by the liver at the rate of 20 per hour. One serving of beer, hard liquor and wine each deliver 20 per serving, so if you have 4 beers in an hour your blood/alcohol level will be 80. you will only lose 20 counts per hour, so you won't be alcohol free for 4 hours. One hour in/4 hours out.
If there is a natural disaster I will take the call, let them know the shape I am in ie: drunk, no sleep etc. If they still want me. I will go and do what ever I can, even if it is just sweeping floors.
By the way, I have no idea what my facilities p/p is, but since I work with a lot of big partiers I am not worried.
Living in New Orleans, everyone understands the priority safety of one's family and home takes over one's job.
I agree and disagree with this statement.
I live in Florida and we have to be prepared to come into work during a hurricaine. We have to plan for the safety our homes and our families ahead of time and it's just part of the job description that we also care for the community of patients. Some people, especially single mom's without families nearby will not leave their kids, and so they are put on the relief team, to come in after the hurricaine to relieve those who were there.
It's terribly selfish and unnecessary to committ to a nursing job in a hurricaine zone only to drop out when the do do hits the fan. There are plenty of other nursing jobs such as clinics, same-day surgery etc. that close down during hurricaines where these people can work.
It's not just a job, there are human beings that need us and that upon hire, we've committed to disaster preparedness.
Unexpected, no notice disasters are a different thing. One could be at a party "tanked" when there's an earthquake, fire or other disaster, but a hurricaine we see coming for days, but our plan of action for our property and loved ones should be already established.
GilaRRT
1,905 Posts
I do not drink, so not a problem; however, your day off is your day off. I would not feel angry if somebody told me no because it was their day off and they simply did not want to come in.
As an after thought: Coffee, caffeine, and a sympathetic response will not "sober you up," you will simply be an awake drunk person.