Tired of impaired nurses

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Ok...I have been a nurse for almost 20 years and thought I had seen it all. My current employer seems to be a becon for impaired nurses. We currently have 3. The latest one is causing loads of issues. She was a great nurse that worked with us for 1 year. It was found out that she was removing approximately 40 percocets per shift for patients she was not assigned to. Management aproached her and sent her for a drug test. Since she had a personal prescription for the drug, nothing was done. Many of the staff were very uncomfortable when she was around. (She was not signing the MAR--you had to look in the pxysis for the last dose given) Management pushed the issue and she up and quit. Well 6 months go by and she is back (rumor has it that she was terminated from the last place). I questioned my manager about this and she said there would be stipulations. I see none. Her first day back was today and I snooped around in the pxysis. She gave 10 percocet in one shift and once again failed to sign them out on the MAR. None of these patients are alert enough to report that they had not gotten the medication.

What can I do? Does any one know what actions I can take if management continues to turn a blind eye? I know we are short on RN's, but this is crazy. We already have a tough enough job without worrying about team members stealing drugs! A group of us are really upset and not sure what steps to take next. Help!!!

1) I LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of calling the Sheriff's office.

2) What about DHS? BRN?? If the hospital adminstrators, etc., won't take (visible) action..you cannot risk YOUR license and/or the unit's patients!! DHS will accept anonymous repors/calls btw.

3) You are probably saving her life!!! I have a friend who works at LA County USC Med Ctr ER Charge RN..She had a co-worker who (apparently) stole narcs, went home, shot up while sitting on the toilet, fell face first into her cat's litter and asphyxiated.........DEAD!!! Everyone in retrospect saw what was going on - but most were too busy to recognize it! A REAL eye opener!!!

Good luck.

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Specializes in Trauma ICU,ER,ACLS/BLS instructor.

lamaze teacher,good for you! The sign of the very best, knowing when to stop,think,listen and then reply! You probably are the best of the best!:balloons:

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Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.

How brave you are, Sallie! Celebrating beginnings (your anniversary and new job) while you anguish about tomorrow.

I suspect that the BON won't place an additional penalty, after you lost your job.Let this be the most you'll suffer in your career, as it appears that you'll not repeat the error you made. There are others to make, but they'll be minimal due to you learning this one.

All of us on this thread are with you, and I'm praying for an end to your penance and your future as a Nurse who is there for other women and their families as they embrace a new life. About 30 years ago, one of my first Lamaze class expectant fathers told the reunion class that he no longer feared death, after seeing what seemed to be death achieving life. There are many pivotal experiences in life, and I feel privileged that you shared yours. God Bless you!

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Specializes in L/D, and now Occupational Health.

Yes Lamazeteacher, I now have a new respect for you. I cant damn anyone for "shooting off at the mouth" because I have been know to do it too from time to time !! 421, I thank you for your input and support also. I will let everyone know the outcome of "today" when I know something.

Thanks to MARIPOSA for bringing this thread back to its initial intent. I did not mean to hijack the thread.

My illness was streap, the recovery was good ole PCN, now the real work begins......A NEW CAREER !!!!

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Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.

MUSTANG SALLIE 1997: Where are you? What happened at the BON?

With prayers and blessings,

Your lamazeteacher

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Now, here's the kicker - she gave up her nursing license (3 trips to remediation and you are gone!) for a realtor license - she is now a freaking million dollar seller with her own freaking web site!!! DAMNNNNNNN!!!

She found her calling, now she can afford the drugs, doesn't have to steal them :lol2:

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Specializes in L/D, and now Occupational Health.

LAMAZETEACHER I AM HERE !!!! I have started my new job and things have been CRAZY !!! Everything went GREAT with the BON, all was dismissed and I now can go on with my life !!! Hard lesson learned.............but lesson learned !!!

Thanks for checking in on me, and I am sorry I had not posted the results !!

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Specializes in OB, HH, ADMIN, IC, ED, QI.

Dear Mustang Sallie:

I'm very happy for you, and to know that you prevailed, and the prayers of many of us worked again!

Best wishes to you in your new work, and may God Bless you and your precious family always. Whew!

I've done Case Management in Home Health for years, off and on, and find it very rewarding, as I got to follow patients, rather than the Hi/good-bye in OB. I worked for a year doing sleep studies for newborns at high risk of SIDS, went to their homes when they were discharged, and followed them monthly after teaching the parents/family CPR and how to apply the apnea monitor and problem solve. Unfortunately, it was found from a large, well done study a few years afterward, that SIDS kids can't be resuscitated....... bummer. Oh, well, "back to sleep" seems to have diminished that scourge somewhat.

Thank you for letting me know how things went. I understand how busy it can be, starting a new job.

Your Lamazeteacher

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Okay...so since when are ANY nurses allowed to practice with ANY percocet in their system?

I understand that she had a prescription for it...however if the drug test came back positive and the hospital was not notified of it...at least at the hospital that I work at they would be dismissed IMMEDIATELY. No questions asked.

So I wonder what else is going on...sounds like something funny about the drug test? If she had it in her bloodstream...she should NOT have been working. We have to get permission to work for various reasons if we are taking any drugs, no matter what the dose that may impair our ability to care for patients in any way.

Maybe check the employee handbook for something like this?

That's such a sad thing....

Good luck to you and your unit.

Claire

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try telling her that you know & have concerns about the situation. Being that you are a nurse offer her your assistance and support first. Maybe you could actually help her. It's easy to receive support from a fellow colleague the only problem is it's never offered.

It's **** or get off the pot time. Tell her it's up to her. Your actions should be in response to her actions. If she does the right thing,wonderful. If she continues with her behavior you will have no problem reporting her. She deserves a chance to try and you deserve the chance to help someone who is in desperate need of your help.

Try putting yourself in her shoes nd see how they fit.

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I'm a little confused about your analogy and the angel of mercy title

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tread very carefully when you want to involve the bon. Is it possible for you and your fellow colleagues to approach her as a group first? She needs help. The board will destroy this person. Boards are more dangerous than drugs sometimes. I know that sounds harsh but I have seen it

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