Working while taking pain medication

In the April 2007 Board of Nurses' newsletter (www.bne.state.tx.us), there is an article that every nurse should read, "Prescription Pain Medication Usage by the Practicing Nurse". A nurse never knows when this issue may come up in his or her personal life and practice and it is a benefit to know the Board's stance on this issue. If a nurse is in management, the article is must read right now. The key is that the medication is prescribed for the ailment that the nurse is taking it for (so, no borrowing of medications from friends or family and no taking a pain medication prescribed for a root canal to treat a hurt back and NO illegal drugs). The nurse also has to stay within the prescribed dosage levels. The newsletter can be found on the Board's website under Publications.