Another great read....
Treatment for nurses improving with creation of wellness programs
Jack, an operating room nurse at a Philadelphia hospital, had always enjoyed his drink but began boozing too much -- and he knew it. Yet he might have never sought help had his employer not referred him to a new rehab and assistance program built for, and run by, fellow nurses.
"As a health care professional, it's really scary to ask for help," said Jack, who didn't want his last name published. "You're afraid of the stigma that goes with it. You're afraid your employer isn't going to want to help you.
"Ultimately, as nurses, we think we can fix ourselves."
Nurses have stressful, emotionally draining jobs. Erratic hours. Easy access to prescription drugs. And many have an indefatigable sense of heroism, determined to care for everyone else before taking care of themselves.
For some, it's an unhealthy combination -- one that could cost them their careers.
Every month, the Pennsylvania Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs issues a list of state-certified professionals who have lost their licenses for any number of reasons.
And every month, dozens of nurses lose their certifications -- either permanently or temporarily -- for stealing prescription drugs, "inability to practice the profession with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of addiction," and "physiological or psychological dependence upon alcohol, hallucinogenic or narcotic drugs or other drugs."
Still others have licenses suspended because, having previously been flagged for drug or alcohol use, they couldn't abide by the terms of state-mandated recovery programs...
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/treatment-for-nurses-improving-with-creation-of-wellness-programs-258569/#ixzz2hI1Kx8EO
