If you had a strong suspicion of a coworker's diversion of narcotics, how you handle it?
I'm talking, a nurse in the ER who habitually walks into the room with narcotic drawn up on your patient, right after you medicated, so then you have to waste with him. He has a history of being on a restricted license. He's a great nurse, very experienced, works a ton of OT.
It would probably financially ruin his life to get in trouble again, I don't know how many chances they give people. He functions very well on the job. Is it really the right thing to snitch on someone like this?
Buck up, Why are you the one crying and upset? Why are you the one considering counseling (on your own time and unpaid no doubt)? Why are you the one worried about wrecking some drugpig's career? Why are you the one who must worry about "social repercussions) because this bozo is taken out of service? Why must you feel the need to feel anxious?
Listen, I have been directly involved in the end of two careers and probable end of one before it even got started (in RN school). because I was very sure of what I myself, I was dead-on right.
Those types do not belong in health care. As for their coworkers, would they really want someone of that ilk caring for their loved one? That is the way you must look at things.
Stop being sniveling and wishy washy, get pissed at the problems this selfish loser has caused. You have nothing to be ashamed or negative over. It is out of your character.
Pretty strong opinion from someone not working in this environment (nursing) anymore.
Really dislike the disparaging remarks. I agree with Far, I wish there was a dislike button!
1.) Let his nurse know, in no uncertain circumstances, that you will medicate your own patients. Tell him that if he has a great interest in medicating your patients, that he has to ask you if you already medicated the patient before he even goes to get any meds out of the machine.
2.) Also let him know, in no uncertain circumstances, that unless you personally witnessed him drawing up narcs from the original vial into a syringe, after he took the vial out of the med machine & popped the top off, you're not witnessing the waste of an entire syringe full of drugs.
3.) Tell him to cut the sh**. Let him know that you are coming directly to him instead of management to let him know you're not stupid, and you're giving him the chance to stop the crap. Let him know that unless this crap ends, you will not hesitate to go to management and let them deal with it.
ponymom, you obviously have never known anyone who's life has been affected by addiction. Unfortunately, those types are more prevalent than you can even imagine, especially in health care. You just never know who that drugpig selfish loser is for WE WALK AMONG YOU (some of us are in recovery, some not). You sound awfully smug over then fact that you were "directly involved in the end of two careers." Good times. Pat yourself on the back.
I'm guessing you are one of those people who thinks addiction is a moral choice and a weakness of character rather than a disease? Do you also refer to diabetics as selfish losers?
As a nurse that diverted I.V. Dilaudid for 2.5 years, I would 99% guarantee you that he is diverting. The red flags of his working LOTS of OT and wanting to waste something that is already drawn up (you are wasting saline). He should be reported to admin because he is a danger to his patients and himself. The more I used, the more reckless I became personally and professionally. He will end up dead or in jail if you do not alert your supervisor immediately. I turned myself in after almost losing everything. I went through a 90-day rehab and never looked back and have been clean now for 7 years. My supervisor suspected me for almost the entire 2.5 years, but never took the extra step and asked me for a urine screen. They should have...
I'm feeling very tearful and upset about this. I was actually considering going to talk to the employee health person about this, unheard of for me. They offer some confidential counseling I've heard.
Not only do I feel like I'm wrecking someone's ability to earn a living, but I am paranoid about the social repercussions for me if word gets out that I turned in one of my own. I feel very anxious.
All actions have consequences. You have every reason to be feeling the way you do.
He is already working on a restricted license? Why is his license restricted? Is it prior narcotic use? If so, I can't imagine why he is allowed to even touch narcotics. I thought that when you are working under a diversion plan, you could not give any controlled substances until you were clear. Either way, yes you need to tell someone, if only to cover your own butt. If I were the nurse manager and this kept happening to you, and you did not come to me. He was caught. It would place you under just as much suspicion. Sorry, but that's how the story goes. Addicts sometimes have to face the consequences and hit rock bottom before they truly learn.
He is already working on a restricted license? Why is his license restricted? Is it prior narcotic use? If so, I can't imagine why he is allowed to even touch narcotics. I thought that when you are working under a diversion plan, you could not give any controlled substances until you were clear.
The OP said the nurse HAD a history of his license being restricted, not that he is now working with a restricted license.
As a nurse that diverted I.V. Dilaudid for 2.5 years, I would 99% guarantee you that he is diverting. The red flags of his working LOTS of OT and wanting to waste something that is already drawn up (you are wasting saline). He should be reported to admin because he is a danger to his patients and himself. The more I used, the more reckless I became personally and professionally. He will end up dead or in jail if you do not alert your supervisor immediately. I turned myself in after almost losing everything. I went through a 90-day rehab and never looked back and have been clean now for 7 years. My supervisor suspected me for almost the entire 2.5 years, but never took the extra step and asked me for a urine screen. They should have...
I would, and have in the past. At the time I was mentioning some odd things to my charge whom I was friendly without about the new nurses taking extensively long breaks and returning acting odd. During her next long break management swarmed the unit and went to all of her patient's rooms to assess their pain levels and discuss when they last had meds. Apprently they had all been having the max narcotics taken from the pyxis and charted, but there were patients saying they had been pain free for days. Luckily for her this was in Az that has a pretty good impairment program for nurses where they can continue working, just not handle narcs.
Yes, report. Fl is a right to work state. I'm grateful I was reported and terminated. I then self reported to IPN. Regardless of whether you are legally required to or not, it is the ethical and compassionate thing to do. I would be dead by now had I not been reported and likely so would one or more patients. When I first started drinking it was a choice. Addiction is a chronic, progressive fatal disease. Ultimately I had nothing but obsession and compulsion- drinking was no longer a choice. It bewilders even us who have had much discipline in most parts of our lives. Please stop enabling him and report the suspicious behavior, the results are out of your hands. I am grateful I was caught and got treatment.
NutmeggeRN, BSN
2 Articles; 4,743 Posts
Pretty strong opinion from someone not working in this environment (nursing) anymore.
Really dislike the disparaging remarks. I agree with Far, I wish there was a dislike button!