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?

Specializes in CCU, Trauma and forensic, Home Hospice C.

yea, a pysch consult might be warranted though. I agree what she or he does on their own time is their business. I can't see why anyone would go to work stoned anyway...too much to risk! We don't even know what they do get high on. Illegal or legal , you can't just base things on that. Plenty of legal drugs can really impair a nurse or doc. tell them to stop talking about it, Keep an eye on them, and if anything express your concerns to the charge nurse first. They can keep an eye on her and check if there are a number of incidents reports etc. If there is cause then it can go higher.:smokin: :yeahthat:

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Specializes in CCU, Trauma and forensic, Home Hospice C.

we aren't forgetting, Just because its legal to drink like a fish and possibly show up for a shift with an elevated blood alcohol is much worse than someone who occasionally uses pot and never shows up impaired.Its not a black and white world. ther are shades of grey. In states where medicinal marijuana is legal and the feds say no, we are still prescribing. Illegal is sometimes more subjective or based on misinformation than facts. I respectfully beg to differ with your interpretation. The point is being missed that if she/he is not impaired to work..WHY is it your business? It doesn't matter who says what is legal or not. Impaired legally or illegally means danger to the patient. That is what any descision like this should be based upon. Not heresay and certainly not "It's illegal". Patient safety is number one and alcohol is a lot more dangerous than some illegal drugs. I have yet to see a death in the ER caused by a bong hit.Plenty due to ETOH and tobacco....Unless they are impaired or repeatedly late etc.( in other words the signs of drug abuse) it is all heresay. :rolleyes:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
we aren't forgetting, Just because its legal to drink like a fish and possibly show up for a shift with an elevated blood alcohol is much worse than someone who occasionally uses pot and never shows up impaired.Its not a black and white world. ther are shades of grey. In states where medicinal marijuana is legal and the feds say no, we are still prescribing. Illegal is sometimes more subjective or based on misinformation than facts. I respectfully beg to differ with your interpretation. The point is being missed that if she/he is not impaired to work..WHY is it your business? It doesn't matter who says what is legal or not. Impaired legally or illegally means danger to the patient. That is what any descision like this should be based upon. Not heresay and certainly not "It's illegal". Patient safety is number one and alcohol is a lot more dangerous than some illegal drugs. I have yet to see a death in the ER caused by a bong hit.Plenty due to ETOH and tobacco....Unless they are impaired or repeatedly late etc.( in other words the signs of drug abuse) it is all heresay. :rolleyes:

:yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat: :yeahthat:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.
: 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?

And using tobacco and drinking excessive alcohol are good choices?

We were assigned a paper in English that was supposed to either be against

or for drugs. After doing the research and deciding to narrow my paper down to one drug, I found way to many good arguments FOR marijuana than against it.

If you look at the history of why it was made illegal in the first place, it just makes no sense that it was ever made illegal.

Think about it, alcohol is fermented to be what it is and tobacco is natural, but has nicotine added to it for the strict purpose of making it addictive.

Marijuana on the other hand is completly natural and has been shown to actually have health BENEFITS, with the only negative aspect being that it causes euphoria--although I didn't know feeling good was negative. The only time it is truly detrimental is when it's smoked and it causes some of the same effects as smoking tobacco, but you don't have to smoke it to get the same effects.

I say all that to say, yes it is illegal, but not for a good reason.

If she is not impaired at work, leave it alone.

If the OP had seen her at the local bar the night before and she was pissy drunk and vomiting on herself, she'd have nothing to say.

If she takes a smoke break every 15 minutes, she'd have nothing to say either.

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Specializes in CCU, Trauma and forensic, Home Hospice C.

:yeahthat: :yeah:

And using tobacco and drinking excessive alcohol are good choices?

We were assigned a paper in English that was supposed to either be against

or for drugs. After doing the research and deciding to narrow my paper down to one drug, I found way to many good arguments FOR marijuana than against it.

If you look at the history of why it was made illegal in the first place, it just makes no sense that it was ever made illegal.

Think about it, alcohol is fermented to be what it is and tobacco is natural, but has nicotine added to it for the strict purpose of making it addictive.

Marijuana on the other hand is completly natural and has been shown to actually have health BENEFITS, with the only negative aspect being that it causes euphoria--although I didn't know feeling good was negative. The only time it is truly detrimental is when it's smoked and it causes some of the same effects as smoking tobacco, but you don't have to smoke it to get the same effects.

I say all that to say, yes it is illegal, but not for a good reason.

If she is not impaired at work, leave it alone.

If the OP had seen her at the local bar the night before and she was pissy drunk and vomiting on herself, she'd have nothing to say.

If she takes a smoke break every 15 minutes, she'd have nothing to say either.

Amen to that!!!!Tell hospice patients sorry thats illegal even though it will ease pain, increase appetite and relieve anxiety as well as nausea. Check out the side effects for compazine! Its only illegal cause of a tax act. If the government could figure out a way to control it and make big bucks like they do taxing and contolling who sell booze and cigs,,it would be legal. Apparenty the VP is more dangerous, especially if you go hunting with him...LOL:roll :coollook:
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