Tired of impaired nurses

[epipusher]

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!!!

[the bull]

Report her to tpapn

[MustangSallie1997]

LAMAZETEACHER............I have had something very wonderful happen with my career, I cant wait to update you !! :balloons:

[lamazeteacher]

Mustang Sallie: It's sooooo good to hear that! I'd love to hear more!

[lamazeteacher]

Sara62: I'm not sure what you're referring to...........

[Stampede1001]

I know of two nurses who are so called impaired but it's all quite hush hush. (mother-daughter team) However one went into treatment at the hospitals expense and was given her job back. The other isn't so impaired, just a thief. She sells the ones she takes from the patients to support her spending addiction.

It's a good thing to look at the nurse, get to know them, look at their income compare it to their lifestyle, and see if the numbers really add up.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

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

Personally for drug abuse, I dont call the board either.

I Call the police.

[sara62]

So,the best course of action is to nail the coffin shut?

May I ask why?

The police and bon work side by side. They notify one another so it doesen't really matter who you report to first

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

So,the best course of action is to nail the coffin shut?

May I ask why?

The police and bon work side by side. They notify one another so it doesen't really matter who you report to first

To get that unsafe nurse away from patient care. Protect the patient. First , last , and foremost.

Doesnt make sense to sit and hold that nurses hand and say poor baby you have a problem. They are a threat to their patients safety. Remove them immediately.

[sara62]

It's amazing how much stuff I find in my pockets.

saline bullets, alcohol swabs,gauze,tape,meds that were refused but had every intention of trying again,insulin,gloves etc.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

i do take home a pair of gloves to clean the kitty litter boxes .. lol..

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I also always carry a piece of crystal. I think crystal is very beneficial, what for I have no idea.

I also carry a pair of chinese medicine balls to roll in my hands. Good for stress and other problems.

[lamazeteacher]

It's amazing how much stuff I find in my pockets.

saline bullets, alcohol swabs,gauze,tape,meds that were refused but had every intention of trying again,insulin,gloves etc.

__________________________________________________________

As long as you empty your pockets before you leave your unit, there's no problem (unless, of course, there's a narcotic that's not rplaced and the count redone).

On the OB unit where I worked, we had a basin for all that stuff in the changing/locker room/Nurses' lounge (ha ha), and the charge nurse (or someone to whom she delegated that) put it away, unless there was something that required refrigeration, and the length of time it was at room temperature was undetermined.....