Today I reported a nurse who works in my ER to administration for narcotics theft. Yesterday I witnessed said nurse steal a vial of hydromorphone while working on a patient suffering from some pretty severe and painful injuries, and I am disgusted. I reported her immediately to my direct supervisors, and today went directly to nursing and ER administration to report her and hand in my official sworn statement. I know there will probably be people who judge me for this, but the thought of someone who is trusted to care for weak, vulnerable, injured patients doing so while under the influence, or even stealing their medicine, absolutely disgusts me. Thoughts?

Edit

1: I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming support. It truly does mean a lot.

2: To answer a lot of people’s questions; it is unknown whether or not any medication was actually diverted from the patient. However, what I did see what the nurse go through the waste process on the Pyxis with another nurse with a vile that still contained 1.5 mg of hydromorphone, fake throwing it into the sharps container and then place it into her pocket. There is no question about what I saw, what happened, or what her intentions were. She acted as though she threw away a vial still containing hydromorphone, and she pocketed it.

3: I do have deep worry and sympathy for the nurse. Addiction has hit VERY close to my life growing up, and I know first hand how terrible and destructive it can be. I truly do hope this nurse is able to get the help she needs, regardless of whether or not she continues to practice.