Question

Managing Personal/Personnel Problems Susan, a new graduate nurse, is assigned to a general medical/surgical unit. After an extensive orientation, she is assigned to the night shift. She has worked hard and demonstrates considerable learning and an effective transition into her role as a nurse. She arrives at work ane Saturday evening, receives her assignment, and begins her work. After rounds, she is in the nurses' station and strikes up a conversation with the other, more experienced nurse. As she draws closer, she notices an unusual smell. It smells like beer. She watches the other nurse more closely and notices a slight unsteadiness in her hands and slower speech. Susan knows that this more experienced nurse is her only co-worker for the shift. Susan asks where the experienced nurse was before coming on shift. The nurse says she was with friends. 3. How should Susan proceed? Answer: Rationale:

Answer 1

Susan should not be panic. She should deal with the situation tactfully. She should make sure that the other nurse should not be ill-treated since she drunk alcohol. Susan should make sure that the patient's care is not affected and anyone patient or attender see the other drunken nurse, as it will affect the reputation of the hospital.

The first step that she can do, inform her immediate supervisor who is in that shift about the situation and can ask another nurse for help.

Every shift, there will be a supervisor who can help the nurses and resolve her issues. So, here Susan informs the supervisor and the supervisor comes to the ward.She herself can take the responsibility of the ward by helping the Junior Nurse Or can assign another nurse who can help Susan in that shift.

This action should be done so that the patient care is not affected.

Secondly, the supervisor can ask the drunken nurse to leave the ward and has to inform the CNO and follow her instructions.

This action makes the drunken nurse take rest and make herself stable so that none others can notice her problem.

Thirdly, the nurse can be given counseling regarding the after-effects of drinking such items before coming for the duty and can give proper counselling too.she ca be given a warning also.