We have two nurses at our clinic, Ricardo and John (names changed). Ricardo is the regular nurse and John substitutes for Ricardo when he is not around. Ricardo is the nurse we have a problem with. I am not the only person who has a problem with him, but, it seems that EVERYONE I know at the program also has a problem with him. He is a person who likes to play the "power" game. Let me give some examples:

On a recent Tuesday, Ricardo was the medicating nurse. He had just returned from an eleven day vacation. The day before he returned, which was a Monday, I gave John, the other nurse, my Sunday take home bottle. On Tuesday morning when I went to the window Ricardo said, "Give me your bottle". Now, I know I gave my bottle to John the day before, so that is what I told Ricardo. He said, "John wrote down that you didn't return it yesterday". Now I am freaking out. Am I losing my mind? Maybe I didn't return it? So again I said.."No, Rick..I returned it yesterday". Ricardo said, "Well, not according to John". Now, you all know the repercussions from not returning a bottle, These are all running through my mind. All of a sudden Ricardo starts laughing and says, "Just kidding". Now, I don't think it was funny.

If I went to the window on a Monday and said, "Oops, I forgot my bottle", and yet it was really in my hand he wouldn't think it was too funny. This is the type of person he is. From what I understand he was in the Marines and also works/worked in a jail.

Another example is at our clinic they have started an I.D. policy. You have to show your license or some type of photo I.D. when you go to the window. This started a year ago or so. Now, Ricardo knows some of us better then he probably knows his own family. I have personally seen him in the store or in a restaurant more than once and he knew who I was there, but, if you go to the window one day without your I.D. he will not medicate you. He will act like he never saw you before in his life. If you forgot your I.D. you can go to the receptionist and she will make a copy of your license for you. (they keep copies of our licenses in out files). You can then show it to Ricardo and he will medicate you. Now, the other day a client forgot his license so the receptionist made him a photocopy of it. He got medicated no problem. Today, unbelieveably the client again forgot his I.D. but had the copy in his jacket pocket. The client showed Ricardo the photocopy and he refused to medicate him until he went home (20 miles) and brought back the actual license. Ricardo said it wasn't good enough and the photocopy was only for emergencies!

Now, I don't see what the problem is. Ricardo knows this person like he knows himself. The client had a copy of his license with his photo on it but it wasn't good enough for him. There are just two examples of how much of an ass he can be. You couldn't even begin to understand how inconsiderate he can be. He will put you down in a heartbeat and thinks he is better than anyone in the clinic including the counselors. I personally have seen him make fun of the counselors behind their backs.

I have had people tell me to set up a meeting with the director but who is the director going to believe, a bunch of junkies or the medicating "nurse"?. The other nurse, John is the nicest guy you could ever know. He always has a kind word and is always smiling. He would never think of putting someone down.