Stealing drugs!! what's your opinion?????

[mystc42]

I was just talking to a woman I work with about this today. But it seems like we are always hearing about nurses that are stealing narcotics from hospitals or other facilities. It has happened twice this year at a hospital where I work which is a pretty good size hospital with a level 3 trauma center. Anyhow my question is with as controlled and counted as these drugs stay, how on earth can anyone possibly think they "might" get away with this?!?!? I mean, I understand some people get really desperate but that is just asking to have your nursing license taken away. What's your thought on the subject????

[nurseattorney]

A sizeable portion of the cases in my practice involve representing nurses in BON disciplinary investigations related to allegations of drug diversion, medication theft, and + drug screens. As nurses we should encourage other nurses with impairment and addiction issues (drug, alcohol, gambling, etc.) to seek professional treatment.

[RN~in~CT]

I know of an ex coworker who was stealing narcotics. Let say Demerol 25 IM was ordered, this nurse would sign out a carpujet of Dem 50 and "waste" the other 25. Problem was discovered when pharm inquired why this nurse simply didnt use the Dem 25??

If I recall, the carpujets came in doses of 25, 50 and 75.

Stealing drugs is wrong ~ but I would be lying if I said that I NEVER took a tylenol from floor stock.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

If it's between going home sick or taking a Tylenol from stock...just seems foolish to worry about it. If I needed meds regularly though I would buy and bring my own of course. Ya gotta loosen up on some things- especially if your headache is affecting your judgement.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

All nurses stealing drugs to support their habit or some elses habit should be forever removed from the field of Nursing.

And most pharmacies will send you tylenol or advil if you need it,

[SmilingBluEyes]

we are allowed to take a tylenol or motrin from the floor stock for a headache, etc.

I see nothing wrong with this.

Diverting narcs or stealing them, well like said above never underestimate the creativity of a motivated drug-seeking addict. They are VERY clever and willing to take any chance for their fix.

They have my pity, not contempt. The patients who suffer at the hands of diversion have my deepest empathy. These folks need to be identified, treated and if unable to rehabilitate (or unwilling as one nurse I knew was), they need to be removed from nursing like tom says.

It's a very complex problem without black and white ---

They are not always "bad people" just nurses whose problems mirror those of the society around them. They just need to take responsiblity for theirs and get help.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

For clarification stealing would be taking from the pyxis under the patient's name or taking from the drawer filled by the pharmacy.

If the facility provides separate containers FOR THE STAFF then of course that is not stealing. In an age when the patient pays upwards of $15 for a Tylenol, no it's not right to take HIS Tylenol.

[goober4699]

geez, i dont know, stealing meds is a pretty serious offense, however taking snacks out of the fridge. Comon, none of you have ever taken say a ginger ale or a juice? I mean whats next the crackers and graham crakers are enough to be used as incriminating evidence?

[sandrick11]

Recently, a close friend was caught stealing morphine from her job. I believe she took it for her husband, who I also believe is heavily addicted. I also believe (and know) that he is very abusive to her.

At times, he has beaten her up very badly, including most recently, an attempt to choke her to death. Within the last two days, he stated that he possessed three bullets, one for her, one for her daughter, and one for himself.

Within the last day, she has filed for a divorce and left him. She has also applied for a personal protection order, as there is serious concern that he may act on his threats.

I am not sure if she also suffers from an addicition issue, but it is clearly possible. However, she had not ingested any of the drugs stolen, while her husband had.

We have talked at length, and she is willing to enter a rehab program. We both agree this will be best. However, I have several questions: First, I would imagine she will lose her license, but I do not know for how long? Second, will her circumstances (abusive relationship, etc) be taken into consideration in determining her punishment? Third, is there anything else that she should do?

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

Where I have worked taking an occasional tylenol from stock was o.k., Mylanta was o.k. too. We were allowed to take an occasional juice or soda when things were hectic and we needed a pick-me-up quickly. Otherwise, any taking of drugs of any kind was stealing and a dischargable offense. We had a problem with several narcotics being taken when certain people worked, no action was ever taken on this issue. It was always "something is wrong" but no one from management ever attempted to find out what/who were stealing. Several had ideas and still do but it is a "don't ask, don't tell unit".

[coffeejavule]

Wow! I didn't know this kind of stuff went on in this job-line. (I have this horrible, horrible problem of trusting everyone and looking all people as good, honest, downhome folks. I guess I have a problem with trying to find the good in everyone.) I guess now that I'm reading all this it makes more sense and it's opened my eyes a little bit. It's too bad though.

I often wonder why people make the poor decisions in which they do. Do they not think of the consequences ahead. Do they not think that what they're taking probably really, really needs to go to somewhere else (in regards to theft, at least). That's too bad. "No sense of positive conscience and no sense of possible consequence." That's the only way I can see it. =/ And that's unfortunate.

sandrick11, unfortunately theft is theft. Whether or not she was the one abusing the drug. This is such a hard call but, in all actuality she should have never taken the drugs in the first place. If she was doing it to calm her husband down so she woudln't have to take the heat than she should have just left when it started instead of supplying him with stolen narcotics as a means of good standing. (Oh my god, that sounds so harsh. I'm sorry, friend. )

But, then again .. what do I know!? Heh, I'm not quite where you guy are at. This is simply my opinion.

[laurenkst]

It depends upon what you call stealing. An occasional aspirin, ibuprofen or tylenol for a headache or back pain should be acceptable--there should be a floor supply anything stronger than that is not. Completing your shift is a necessity.

[coffeejavule]

I guess it's just always best to be safe rather than sorry. I'm gonna by my own and keep it in my car, ha! That was if I have a headache I can just go out to the car and get one and take it, heh. I won't have to worry about all this craziness and drama!

"Cut through the craziness .. dance around the drama!"