What would you do?

[Hystericka RN]

I was a PICC nurse for a little over a year. I worked with 3 teriffic women, one of whom was my supervisor. One was a very, very close friend. So I thought. We went to school together, we had get-togethers at her house, we worked for 9 hours a day together and as women, we TALKED.

I made the mistake of mentioning that I occasionally took vicodin for back pain. Never took it at work and my rx's were for 24 tablets that lasted me over a month. In fact, when I first started working there I was in physical therapy for a weird shoulder blade/trapezious pain. They knew this when I started. I NEVER called in sick, ever. On a friday while at work I became suddenly very ill, abdominal cramping like you wouldn't believe and diarrhea. I thought it was my appendix or a stone, so they nicely let me go get checked out. It seemed to resolve then returned over the weekend increasing again on monday and now I also had hematuria. So I asked to leave work -they were all concerned and understanding-I went to an er where they did a ct-negative, just a bad UTI. I called in sick the next day due to my pain and still having diarrhea. My boss texts me that I'm a vicodin addict, etc. Totally out of the blue and unprofessional. She made me come in to "talk" even though I was still ill and I BEGGED her for a private meeting. But when I came into work, my boss and 2 co-workers decided I needed an "intervention" and went into how I had changed, etc. Now I had also told these so called friends of mine that I thought something was wrong and that I might have depression that both my physician and counselor told me I did. These RN's went into how my stomach pain was similiar to withdrawl symptoms and I retorted with "they are also signs of depression". Anyways, it was awful. These friends completely turned on me. I even offered to take a drug screen then and there, my supervisor "poo-poo'd" it, saying there was no need. I ended up quitting due to that and other allegations that were totally false. I was worried about my license being at risk. It's a small company, there's not really an HR and my supervisor and one of the co-workers laughed and joked often about how they smoke weed-daily. Should I have stayed? Should I sue? LOL. I still have nightmares about the whole situation. what's your opinion?

[Mulan]

You could call a lawyer and tell him the story and see if you have grounds to sue.

In the future, I would keep my business to myself.

With "friends" like those, you don't need enemies.

Good luck.

[kesr]

We'll get "dinged" for any legal advice, so you'll have to decide that one on your own. I'd have quit, too; but you may have been in a better situation to fight if you had stayed. At any rate, they have no facts to go after your license, I would not worry about that.

A good lesson to us all, do not confide in co-workers.

[Hystericka RN]

I have learned my lesson well. I will forever keep my mouth shut. I am still very, very good friends with co-workers from various jobs over the years without fear. I guess no more huh? Mulan, I did speak to a lawyer. He said I should have called him before I quit.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

i was a picc nurse for a little over a year. i worked with 3 teriffic women, one of whom was my supervisor. one was a very, very close friend. so i thought. we went to school together, we had get-togethers at her house, we worked for 9 hours a day together and as women, we talked.

i made the mistake of mentioning that i occasionally took vicodin for back pain. never took it at work and my rx's were for 24 tablets that lasted me over a month. in fact, when i first started working there i was in physical therapy for a weird shoulder blade/trapezious pain. they knew this when i started. i never called in sick, ever. on a friday while at work i became suddenly very ill, abdominal cramping like you wouldn't believe and diarrhea. i thought it was my appendix or a stone, so they nicely let me go get checked out. it seemed to resolve then returned over the weekend increasing again on monday and now i also had hematuria. so i asked to leave work -they were all concerned and understanding-i went to an er where they did a ct-negative, just a bad uti. i called in sick the next day due to my pain and still having diarrhea. my boss texts me that i'm a vicodin addict, etc. totally out of the blue and unprofessional. she made me come in to "talk" even though i was still ill and i begged her for a private meeting. but when i came into work, my boss and 2 co-workers decided i needed an "intervention" and went into how i had changed, etc. now i had also told these so called friends of mine that i thought something was wrong and that i might have depression that both my physician and counselor told me i did. these rn's went into how my stomach pain was similiar to withdrawl symptoms and i retorted with "they are also signs of depression". anyways, it was awful. these friends completely turned on me. i even offered to take a drug screen then and there, my supervisor "poo-poo'd" it, saying there was no need. i ended up quitting due to that and other allegations that were totally false. i was worried about my license being at risk. it's a small company, there's not really an hr and my supervisor and one of the co-workers laughed and joked often about how they smoke weed-daily. should i have stayed? should i sue? lol. i still have nightmares about the whole situation. what's your opinion?

you don't seem to be too torn up and it would appear there's a lot more to the story that you have conveniently left out. what are the other allegations? why would it be ok for you to take vicodin, with a script, and they "smoke weed?" why would you then still feel you had to quit? what else do they have on you to prompt your resignation?? ???? something is afoot here.....

[Hystericka RN]

There is something odd about it. The one particular co-worker cannot seem to do anything wrong. I had been warned about her and chose to ignore it. I am coming to terms with the whole situation but I was unemployed-with NO PAY- until I got a new job 2 days ago. I was afraid that if I made a mistake putting a 4 inch needle into someone's arm and nicked an artery or nerve they would say "oh look, she's an addict" and that was where my license was in jeopardy. The false allegations were of fraud-my co-worker forged my name on consent forms my boss knew it but suddenly I had told her it would be "ok" to do so I ran. When I brought up how they smoked weed they said what they did at home on their own was their business. I said if I take a vicodin when I get home and then am off 14 hours before my next shift how is that so bad? They couldn't answer.

[kesr]

If you have a legal prescription, and are not impaired, there is no reason you couldn't work even while taking vicodin. Sounds like you are well rid of a toxic environment.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

It seems as though you are wisely extricating yourself from a harmful environment. The wisest advice my late mother ever offered to me was this: If someone is accusing you of something unjustly, they are more than likely a transgressor themselves."

[steelydanfan]

This is why I am VERY cautious about who I socialize with at work. I have a great group of friends from 1 job, yet in my currennt job I see no one outside of work. Not baby showers, not quick drinks, NOTHING.

i have never been to a hospital Christmas party. I have no desire to party with ANYONE who can possibly influence my career in any way.

[Addeycakes]

Fishy fishy. If the er released you then there must be nothing wrong

And if I'm not mistaken, picc is a place for newborns to recover from physical dependance to narcotics. The docs/nurses are trained to watch for these signs. Half the moms who come visit try to get high. I know the place well. And I know that the staff is highly intelligent and sharp. They are hound dogs for addictive behaviors hence you gave multiple reasons for red flags. Denial is also part of addiction. ....not trying to upset you, but I think you know what the issues are here.

[HappyBunnyNurse]

A PICC is a peripherally inserted central catheter. This is for patients who require long term IV access. For example cancer patients.

[Orange Tree]

Should I have stayed? Should I sue? LOL. I still have nightmares about the whole situation. what's your opinion?

Your "LOL" really throws me off. You are either totally crazy or a lot of fun. Or both.