Hi out there. I've run into a situation at work that is rather interesting. Narcotics are being checked out under a forged signature. According to records, "Jane Doe, RN" is signing out narcotics a lot...once a whole page of 10 dosees of demerol, with times ranging the whole 24 hour time span. The real Jane Doe is NOT pleased that her signature is being used and took it to administration. Obviously it wasn't her signature, and the times and dates that her signature was used did not match her scheduled shifts. There was even speculation as to who the forger was...a certain nurse that would be around those floors on the days that the meds were checked out. This certain nurse has a habit of offering to medicate your patients for you as a favor. This certain nurse also has a demeanor about her...fidgety, eyes bloodshot, pupils dilated...that has led some to believe she was on drugs well before speculation of forgery came about. Administration, when presented with all of this, has done nothing. They have not even asked the presumed forging nurse to take a drug test because it would be "discrimantory". This has angered many people. Does anyone out there have experience in any of this and know the laws? It seems to me something could be done here. The presumed forger is still working to this day, and Jane Doe is considering getting an lawyer...

your state nursng board will take this complaint (anonomously if you prefer) and investigate.

they will get the narc books and "interview" Jane Doe

you can do this (make a complaint) with a phone call or letter.

the NB will then decide (usually in a month or so) whether to take the case or not, if they do, a three-five person panel (medical and legal) will sit with Jane Doe and make recomendations for anything from dismissal of compliant to revoking her liscense or pressing criminal charges)

However, please please please be sure of your self as this is taken very seriously and can ruin the life of a good nurse who is just on someones sh*tlist.

If you review your nursing rules and regs you will see that it is actually your responsibility to take this to the nursing board.

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lauri

How do you handle narc count on your unit? This would be picked up where I work because we scan the signatures during count. If the signature of someone who wasn't working was on the narc sheet, it would be noticed.

Do take it to the state board of nursing.

Maybe the administration should have you all
tested for drugs. It's only a simple urine
test, if the offender sees that testing will
be done, maybe she/he will fess up and get some help. This is a serious problem in nursing today, and it MUST be reported to the
State Nursing Board immediately. If your Administration does not do it, any of you can report it. You can remain anonymous, they
will not reveal the identity of the complaintant. This may be a call for help from the person doing the stealing. To not
report it may endanger the life of the nurse
who is impaired. Good luck, and I hope the
problem is dealt with.