Nurse Under the Influence – Deregistered & Dismissed
Recent WA news has once again highlighted even in the most trusted professions, “impairment” in the workplace, can and does occur. A Perth emergency department nurse has been deregistered and dismissed after working multiple shifts while “under the influence” of methamphetamine and cannabis. The case, which involved repeated positive drug tests and a pattern of prior offences, ultimately led to findings of professional misconduct and the cancellation of her registration.
This carries lessons for every organisation, in every industry. Healthcare professionals operate in one of the most demanding and high-risk pressured environments imaginable. Split-second decisions, medication management, and patient care leave zero margin for error.
In this case, colleagues raised concerns after noticing signs, prompting drug testing that confirmed drug use. Investigations later revealed multiple incidents, including previous drug-driving offences and failure to disclose convictions to regulators.
Drug and Alcohol Use in the Workforce
This incident is not isolated. Data across Australia shows that drug and alcohol use remains a persistent workplace risk. That means employers are not dealing with hypothetical risk – they’re managing a real, measurable safety challenge. Drugs and/ or alcohol use is not an individual issue – it’s an organisational risk that must be actively managed.
Legal and WHS Responsibilities – No Grey Area
Under Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, employers have a clear duty to ensure their workers – and anyone affected by their work – are not exposed to health and safety risks. This includes risks arising from drugs and/or alcohol use.
In healthcare and other regulated industries, the expectations go even further:
- Workers must be fit for duty at all times
- Employers must implement systems to identify and manage potential risks of drugs and/or alcohol use
- Failure to act can result in serious legal, financial and reputational consequences
In the Perth case, the regulatory response sends a strong message – there is zero tolerance where safety is compromised.
Early Detection
Without a drug and alcohol testing framework in place – drugs and/or alcohol can go undetected, especially when behaviours are subtle or normalised. Effective drug and alcohol testing programs provide:
- Early Detection before it leads to harm
- Deterrence creating a culture where unsafe behaviour is less likely to occur
- Accountability ensuring clear consequences and consistent enforcement
- Support Pathways helping employees who may need intervention, and EAP assistance, not just discipline
Drug and Alcohol Testing isn’t about “Catching people Out”
It’s about protecting people, operations, and reputation. The strongest organisations don’t just rely on drug and alcohol testing – they build integrated safety systems. Speak to our team about assisting you with a best-practice approach including:
- Certified and independently verified drug and alcohol testing solutions
- A clear, well-communicated drug and alcohol policy and procedure
- Education and awareness training for all staff
- Supervisor training in for cause, reasonable suspicion
- Fit-for-duty drug and alcohol testing programs (random, post-incident, and for-cause)
- Access to EAP support services and rehabilitation pathways
This aligns with a broader shift in workplace safety – from reactive compliance to proactive risk management.
The Bigger Picture
Nurses are among the most trusted professionals in our community. When that trust is undermined, the impact extends far beyond a single workplace or incident. This post isn’t about blame – it’s about prevention. The real question for organisations is not “could this happen here” instead “what controls do we have in place to ensure it doesn’t?”
If you’d like assistance in creating a safer workplace with a clear drug and alcohol policy and procedure, effective testing, practical staff and manager/supervisor training and the confidence that comes from doing it right – get in touch with our team here.