Nurses have obligations to the patients in their care. They should strive to provide the same standard of medical assistance to everyone, regardless of their personal characteristics. They must adhere to the best practices and do their best to keep patients comfortable and healthy.
Nursing is a very demanding profession. Nurses work long hours, deal with others during stressful moments and face constant demands on their time. Nursing also creates many opportunities for injury and psychological trauma. As such, nurses may find themselves dealing with pain symptoms or mental health challenges. They may begin self-medicating to manage those issues.
In some cases, nurses who recognize that their patients don’t need or respond to certain medications might retain prescription drugs intended for their patients for their own personal use. In such scenarios, nurses are at risk of legal and professional consequences that could theoretically include the loss of their licensing.
Substance abuse among nurses is common
The likelihood of injuries on the job, combined with regular access to controlled substances, makes nursing a dangerous profession for those with a predisposition to substance abuse or addiction. The California Board of Registered Nursing has policies that specifically address substance abuse among nurses.
In fact, there are even intervention programs intended to help. In some cases, voluntarily seeking support could be part of a broader strategy to mitigate the fallout of chemical dependence and drug diversion in the workplace.
Nurses can potentially obtain treatment and keep their licenses when substance abuse threatens their careers. In theory, nurses accused of misconduct related to medication, including the diversion of drugs intended for their patients, could defend against the accusations they face.
Nurses have a right to retain the services of a lawyer while they respond to professional discipline efforts. An attorney can communicate with licensing authorities on behalf of a nurse and can advocate for less harsh penalties during disciplinary proceedings. They can also assist the nurse as they respond to criminal charges related to drug diversion.
For a nurse accused of inappropriate conduct with medication, admitting that they have a personal issue could be the first step toward mitigating the worst consequences possible. Securing legal support and responding assertively to licensing issues, criminal charges and even discipline at work can help nurses protect their state licenses.
