Assignment Task:
Wellness Journal Activity: Ethical Issues Lecture
This activity will focus on: Emotional, Physical and Intellectual Wellness
Read the Substance Use Disorder Case Study in the NCSBN Welcomes you to the Nursing Profession Pamphlet. (Below)
Answer the following Questions:
Q1. What would you do if this scenario was a Co-Worker with you?
Q2. What would you do differently if that Co-worker was a close friend? How does that change your perspective? (Explain)
Q3. Would you have taken the same action that William did in the scenario? (Explain)
Q4. What emotions do you think you would experience if the Co-worker or your close friend was removed from the practice setting?(Explain)
Q5. What physical response do you think you would experience in reporting the substance use? (Explain)
Q6. Are you willing to risk your newly earned licenses by not reporting substance use in the workforce? (Explain)
Q7. Explain why it is so important to speak up.
Q8. List 5 strategies that you could use to maintain your own emotional, physical or intellectual wellness. Need Assignment Help?
Substance Use Disorder Case Study:
William, a newly licensed RN, recently attended an in-service on substance use disorder (SUD) conducted by the nurse manager on his unit. After completing the training, he has started to wonder about one of his colleagues. Though cheerful and reliable when William started on the floor six months ago, Karen has been acting different lately. She is often short-tempered and forgetful, yet she seems to pay extra attention to patients who have been ordered pain medication. William first thought he wasn't experienced enough to make judgments about the behaviors of fellow nurses, but after the in-service, he realizes that Karen's actions fit many of the criteria in the SUD presentation. He knows that speaking up is the right thing to do and talks to the nurse manager about what he has observed. The nurse manager completes an audit of the unit's medication records. During her investigation of the medication records for Karen's patients, the nurse manager discovers numerous discrepancies and falsified medication reports. Per hospital policy, she notifies her supervisor and appropriate hospital staff. Karen is removed from practice to receive treatment and a report is made to the board of nursing.
Nursing Takeaway: Keeping abreast of topics surrounding nursing practice offered by employers as well as those sought out by the nurse outside of the work environment are an important component of lifelong learning and part of the responsibility of nursing practice. Nurses, regardless of whether they are a new grad or have years of experience, have a professional and ethical responsibility to report a colleague's suspected substance use to a nurse manager or supervisor, and in some states or jurisdictions, to the board of nursing.