So, she does drugs... (advice please)

Nurses General Nursing

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Don't you hate it when you get info you don't really want? A co-worker (and fellow nurse) felt the need to relate a story to me about the last time she got high (prob. to feel me out.) And has odd phone conversations at work with her friends from outside work...

So, she does drugs, but she doesn't apear to be impared at work. Do I have any obligations to report this? And WHO would I report it to? My Don is on probation for (an old) drug offence herself (Not feeling al ot of support there.) Also, I really don't want to come off as a "snitch". Also, like everywhere, were short on staff and at work (at least) she's a workable warm body. What to do?

OK, I am not a nurse so I can only use my instincts and moral reasoning, but it seems to me that what people do on their own time is their business unless there is clear evidence that it is interfering with work, or has unequivocal potential to. I am not of the mindset that "all drugs are the same." From what I have witnessed, and as far as statistics are concerned, alcohol is far more destructive than marijuana. and I haven't worked in a single place in my adult life where people don't rehash their "drunk and stupid" stories, at least a little bit. do we automatically worry that these people are likely to start coming to work intoxicated? people don't consider alcohol a drug, but I think it's effects are worse than some of the illegal drugs. with that said, I think she is stupid to TALK about her extracurricular activities in a place where she is responsible for human lives and where she could face consequences. Again, I am not a nurse and if I were I would probably see things differently, but couldn't you take her aside and remind her that she needs to be more careful about what she says and how she presents herself? it seems to me that if she comes into work under the influence of some drug, you will probably know right away and she will definitely pay the price.

just a thought

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Oh yeah, I would feel much better knowing that her preference for illegal substances was marijuana and not something else. DRUG ARE ILLEGAL, there is not a rating system. :nono:

Rachel RN

There IS a rating system. Ever hear of scheduled drugs? Yes, I know that pot is a C-1 drug, but there are some C-II's and C-III's that some people do use before they come to work and during shift for chronic pain. I follow the rules. No meds 8 hours before my shift. But there are some CNA's/RN's who either come in on these drugs on an acute basis (for an accident) and they are impaired.

There are some drugs that hospital staff use on a daily basis and I tell ya, some are a whole lot stronger than marijuana. And they are legal.

NO ONE should come to work impaired (and that's a key word folks) on ANY substance. Be it ETOH, marijuana, etc. The OP said that she was not impaired at work.

My original statement dealt only with this situation with the OP and should not be taken as my general statement on drugs. Read the original post and think about the situation.

I agree that I would also say to her, "Dont tell me anything I'd have to report."

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Your original post doesn't state how long ago this nurse said she had been using drugs. Was it last week? Last month? Last year? a decade ago?

Personally, if it was a story from a long time ago, I probably wouldn't sweat it.

Doesn't say kind of drugs either. If it was, say a heroin story, I'd be pretty concerned no matter how long ago. If she was talking about marijuana from 10 years ago, I wouldn't worry. That's just me.

It's a combination of things for me. What drug, how long ago, her current behavior etc.

But I like your statement about don't tell me things I might have to report. That should stop it.

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If you really feel you need to report this, then contact the State Board of Nursing, skip the DON of your facility. You will remain anonymous this way!

The BON will not take a report without proof from a credible source. If they did, they wouldn't have the time to do anything but investigate claims of drug use. Think about it. If they did, then any nurse that's vindictive could report someone they didn't like and the system would go haywire. Proof to the BON would be a positive drug screen, or a facilities conclusion after an investigation for missing narcotics, ect.

If the OP tried to report this it would be considered hearsay.

I say just tell this chick that it's disturbing to you and you don't want to know. Now, if she comes to work high....on whatever...that's a different story and you have a legal obligation to report it to your supervisor so the proper steps can be taken to get this person some help and keep the public safe.

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What happened to leaving home at home and work at work... and if somebody is activily endangering the staff or patients by actions... then by all means let somebody know.... but if its all talk and no active problem at this point in time.. just simply say whta the prior post said regarding do not talk about things that i may feel legally and ethincally bound to report....

Just my opinion....

Also all drugs effect people different yes... but somebody shooting heroin and somebody smoking weed is a little bit different if you ask me and a whole other set of problems...

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
OK, I am not a nurse so I can only use my instincts and moral reasoning, but it seems to me that what people do on their own time is their business unless there is clear evidence that it is interfering with work, or has unequivocal potential to. I am not of the mindset that "all drugs are the same." From what I have witnessed, and as far as statistics are concerned, alcohol is far more destructive than marijuana. and I haven't worked in a single place in my adult life where people don't rehash their "drunk and stupid" stories, at least a little bit. do we automatically worry that these people are likely to start coming to work intoxicated? people don't consider alcohol a drug, but I think it's effects are worse than some of the illegal drugs. with that said, I think she is stupid to TALK about her extracurricular activities in a place where she is responsible for human lives and where she could face consequences. Again, I am not a nurse and if I were I would probably see things differently, but couldn't you take her aside and remind her that she needs to be more careful about what she says and how she presents herself? it seems to me that if she comes into work under the influence of some drug, you will probably know right away and she will definitely pay the price.

just a thought

ITA.

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If we are legally required to report this use, I wish someone would cite the law, because I never have and never would report someone solely on the basis of their own report. What if they're lying or setting me up? All you're reporting, absent witnessing the use, is what someone has told you. Of course, it would be entirely different were you to know she was working while under the influence of anything that impairs her ability to do her job, whether it is illicit or not. I do agree with telling her that you're not interested in hearing about her exploits, however.

The nurse practice act for Oregon states:

Nurses, regardless of role, whose behavior fails to conform to the legal standard and accepted standards of the nursing profession, or who may adversely affect the health, safety, and welfare of the public, may be found guilty of conduct derogatory to the standards of nursing. Such conduct shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) Conduct related to the client's safety and integrity:

...

(k) Failing to report through proper channels facts known regarding the incompetent, unethical, unsafe or illegal practice of any health care provider.

Whether you have witnessed her drug use or not, you possess knowledge. It is not your job to do the investigating, but to pass on the knowledge. I would check the NPA for your state, and see what the guidelines are for 'conduct derogatory to the standards of nursing'. In my state, they have a program especially for addicted nurses, wherein they can continue practicing (on a limited basis) while they get treatment.

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.
The nurse practice act for Oregon states:

Nurses, regardless of role, whose behavior fails to conform to the legal standard and accepted standards of the nursing profession, or who may adversely affect the health, safety, and welfare of the public, may be found guilty of conduct derogatory to the standards of nursing. Such conduct shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) Conduct related to the client's safety and integrity:

...

(k) Failing to report through proper channels facts known regarding the incompetent, unethical, unsafe or illegal practice of any health care provider.

Whether you have witnessed her drug use or not, you possess knowledge. It is not your job to do the investigating, but to pass on the knowledge. I would check the NPA for your state, and see what the guidelines are for 'conduct derogatory to the standards of nursing'. In my state, they have a program especially for addicted nurses, wherein they can continue practicing (on a limited basis) while they get treatment.

I possess knowledge that she claimed she used drugs. That isn't the same as having knowledge that she does. And I don't live in Oregon.

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I possess knowledge that she claimed she used drugs. That isn't the same as having knowledge that she does. And I don't live in Oregon.

That is correct, you possess knowledge that she claimed to use drugs. If someone gave you information on, let's just say a murder they had committed, would you feel ethically/morally/legally bound to report that? And, if you live in another state, I would recommend that you check the nurse practice act for your state, as I said in my original post.

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.
That is correct, you possess knowledge that she claimed to use drugs. If someone gave you information on, let's just say a murder they had committed, would you feel ethically/morally/legally bound to report that? And, if you live in another state, I would recommend that you check the nurse practice act for your state, as I said in my original post.

You're comparing murder to drug use? In the first place, while I may not have witnessed the murder, it would certainly be easy enough to find out if one had occured, or the person she claimed is the victim has gone missing. And if this admission was given to me in my capacity as a nurse, I actually have a specific legal obligation, spelled out in black and white, to report it, so there's not even room for interpretation. I did edit my post and omitted the part about not living Oregon, but I honestly don't need your suggestion to check my nurse practice act for any question I would ever have.

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Specializes in NICU.

When what you have is "hearsay", that's not proof. If you saw her using illicit drugs, that could be used as evidence.

"He said" or "she said" don't stand up in a Court of Law.

I don't think there is anything you can do at this point, other than keep an eye on her behavior.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
When what you have is "hearsay", that's not proof. If you saw her using illicit drugs, that could be used as evidence.

"He said" or "she said" don't stand up in a Court of Law.

I don't think there is anything you can do at this point, other than keep an eye on her behavior.

And tell her not to discuss this with you again.

~faith,

Timothy.

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