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

[christinaquilter]

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?

[yogiisi]

When I am faced with a question concerning a nurse, or any health-care worker, I ask myself "would I want this person taking care of my family?" This lets me know what I should do.

[91C_ARMYLPN]

An extremely touchy situation....to tell or not to tell!!! Maybe this individual was feeling you out. Or, maybe this is her way of reaching out to seek help. A very difficult position to be in. But, the bottom line is, would you like a nurse who is impaired/or possibly impaired, to provide nursing care for you or your loved ones??? Drugs are drugs! Be it marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, etc. Does she appear "high" when she is on duty? What are the policies at your hospital? And, what are the state laws? My heart does go out to you, for being placed in this predicament. Only you can make that final choice, and live with it. If you tell, then your co-workers will label you as a snitch. If you don't tell, and something happens to a patient that is assigned to this nurse, then what? May you have the courage and strength to do what you feel is right. Take care of yourself.

With sincerity,

91C_ARMYLPN

[pinkRN23]

Unless she appears under the influence at work or admits to using before or at work, you should not report her. You sound uncomfortable with the whole situation & it would be good- especially as a healthcare professional to learn the difference between the drugs that are out there and the effects they have on people before jumping to any conclusions. It is important not to judge or project your own personal feelings about drug use on to others & the best way to do this is to educate yourself.

There are *lots* of people in our society that occassionally use recreational drugs in their personal lives out of curiosity, to enhance creativity & personal relationships, or just to let loose now and again. Most people experiment with some kind of drug use at some point in their lives and are still able to function normally & move on with their lives.

There are also many people out there that have a problem. Methamphetamine abuse is the new drug crisis in this country- most people that try it become addicted and its incredbily difficult to function day to day, keep a job & be responsible if you are a meth user. But using methamphetamine is a lot different then smoking a little pot or experimenting with less addictive drugs.

She may have a serious problem & is crying out for help - then again maybe she's just experimenting a little.

There are some great websites out there that talk about different "street" drugs - and their affects on the brain & body, their level of addiction, and who & why people usually use them. In my opinion education & harm reduction regarding drug use and abuse are important aspects of nursing care. It also can't hurt to expand your knowledge in this realm before forming an opinion or making a decision regarding your co-worker.

http://www.dancesafe.org is a great place to start.

[michellebsn]

totally agree.since it stays in the system for weeks, then meth users who have it out of their system in 36 hrs or less slip through. If she has a problem at work or keeps bringing it up then perhaps you should act. the question is Is he a good nurse.As for those who cry well its illegal, so were a lot of things that arent now.And there are some that SHOULD be like alcohol and cigarettes which do more harm every second than some nurse who occasionally does a bong hit. I'm sorry but too many people are going along with Orwellian mindset or is it lockstep....An impaired nurse is a danger. Again the question is does she do her job? incident reports? any sign she is high at work?

[Snow1278, RN]

I would tell her that I don't want to hear about it, and that it could cost her her job if the wrong person hears it. Where I work we have a hotline that is anonymous to report things like abuse or whatever if you feel uncomfortable reporting it to the charge nurse or your manager for whatever reason. I am not sure what I would do in this situation it would be hard.

[Skippitb]

What if you know someone is using and you dont report it and they cause a patient harm and you could have prevented it.

Ditto. I have no knowledge of the specific laws in your state but it is likely that if this co-worker kills someone while she is high and someone finds out that you had knowledge of her drug use prior to the incident you could be held partially responsible. I would mention your conversation with whom ever is appropriate to go to in the chain of comand and let them decide whether or not it is a serious problem and how it is to be delt with. If it turns out to be nothing, no harm was caused. JMO

[felixfelix]

.As for those who cry well its illegal, so were a lot of things that arent now.And there are some that SHOULD be like alcohol and cigarettes which do more harm every second than some nurse who occasionally does a bong hit. I'm sorry but too many people are going along with Orwellian mindset or is it lockstep....An impaired nurse is a danger. Again the question is does she do her job? incident reports? any sign she is high at work?

oh yea, tell it...tell it!!

[Iamjustme]

Just because a person is on mediaction for pain does not imply that they are impaired. This rule about no meds 8 hours before a shift...well, if I have pain and know these medications do not effect my working ability, why would I suffer for the shift? There are many people with chronic pain issues and they do perfectly fine on their medications while working. Its not like we can just quit working because we find ourselves in this situation. The bills still have to get paid. As far as informing staf, if I did not see this activity I would not report it.

[KyPinkRN]

NOT unless it put patients at risk or co-workers. After all if it is marijuana and she/he does it on their own time on days off and doesn't affect the job...it's their business. This is the criteria that shopuld be used.If they have a drug problem then it should be obvious to co-workers if it is causing uneccesary risks. We already are facing massive limitations on personal freedoms etc. . no-one seems to care if another nurse or a doc drinks on days off as long as they are sober at work. Without good reason, if they are good at their job and don't come to work high....its not anyones business. Too many seem to embrace the BIG BROTHER mentality of 1984 these days.

:selfbonk:

You and many others on this thread seem to be forgeting that there is a difference between drinking and smoking pot or doing other illicit drugs. THEY ARE ILLEGAL!! The fact that it is on the clock or on your own time is irrelevant. As a responsible adult and a medical professional it is wrong. I believe the OP should say something to someone. This point goes far beyond the law in the mere fact that this person is responsible for the lives of her patients. How can she be trusted with them if she makes bad choices in her own life?

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

The question is, do we really KNOW she is doing drugs. A lot of people talk alot of crap. It's just hearsay. I don't know that I would report someone just because they run their mouth about something that may or may not be so. Some people stay the gosh-awfullest things thinking they will make themselves look "cool" or "big" or whatever.

Now if she shows up to work and is visibly impaired or smells like something (booze, pot, do any other drugs have a smell??? I don't know.), then I would say something to someone higher up and in a hurry.

[michellebsn]

exactly she need not flaunt it.After all there are those who use the black and white reasoning "its illegal"therefore turn thyem in> Not that simple.If she flaunts it, if they are impaired then it is your business to do something otherwise why is it ok for a doc or nurse to go out and get hammered the night before on margaritas and then come in with a hangover? oh yea that simplest of answers....IT's Illegal/ well in this world there are many illegal things that shouldn't be and other that are legal that should.Unless you feel your job is to rat out other nurses who smoke pot occasionally , i think time is better spent providing patient care and keeping an eye on unsafe nursing practices. i guess it comes down to whop thinks smoking pot days before a shift is unsafe or ok. The point is, speaking as an ex-cop. You are basing this all on heresay NOT facts. DO Nurses eat their young?. Politically i guess nursing is undergoing a Orwellian swing and mindset amongst some who really need to know more facts instead of spouting the party line. I guess if we started to get rid of nurses who have or do smoke pot our ratio of nurse to patient will be 1:25

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

I think I'm agreeing with a number of other posters. The minute this person starts to talk about anything that involves her personal drug use, hold up your hand and tell her to "please stop. I don't want to know about it." And leave it at that. If I were you, I'd look over your state nursing law and see if you have a duty to disclose what she has told you about her drug use already. You always have the option of reporting to the state board rather than to your DON. However, reporting to the state board is not a guarantee of your anonymity and the BON will be in touch with the DON of your facility.