CRNA in recovery needs advice

[emdd]

I'll try to be brief and forgo grammar and punctuation issues if you don't mind..

I am a CRNA, no prior terminations or disciplinary actions, no legal issues-tested + for cocaine after a colleague who relieved me for a 15 min break felt that the pt had not received the amt of Sufenta that I had documented.

In my defense, I felt that I was at least vindicated on the Sufenta issue since my urine screen was neg for it. I heard unofficially that they tested this pt for Sufenta (the next day?) and it was negative. I was relieved of care of this pt and handed over a second 100mcg vial to this person, who charted that the pt received all or some portion of this vial. If the pt tested negative, then the person who relieved me would be under suspicion as well..no?

Also, I believe that sufenta metabolites clear the urine quite rapidly and checking the next days urine would be negative anyway

I started the Employee Assistance Program immediately, met w/a counselor, enrolled in an intensive outpt. rehab program-the next day I rec'd a letter of termination citing my excepted appointment

I would like nothing more than to be able to keep my job while in recovery. A colleague of mine was found unconscious in the men's bathroom from a fentanyl OD. He attended an inpt detox facility and returned to our dept within 3 months-he worked in our pre-op clinic until cleared to return to the OR. He lost no benefits.

I am not trying to blame others for my predicament-I just want the same chance at recovery that all of my colleagues have had-I would like to know that I can return to my former job...

I have several questions:

1) Does my Excepted Appt preclude me from any rights associated w/my bargaining unit re: protesting my termination?

2) Do I have a right to see the alleged drug test results on my pt and present my case to the hospital administration?

Note-I was employed by a govt. facility

[SFCardiacRN]

Are you still on probation? Was the previous CRNA on employment probation. I suspect the previous CRNA had completed the 2 year probation and you have not. If this is the case, start looking for another job...and quit recreational drug use.

[no-pain]

My first suggestion is to go the the peer assistance web site thru the AANA, (AIR) Anesthetists In Recovery or call 215-635-0183 and there you may have more of your questions answered but since this is an open forum I will give my First, its true that sufent clears very quickly which is why they may not have tested specifically for that metabolite and may have only tested for opiates. Second, your employer does not legally have to show you those test results however if charges are brought up against you, at that point you will have access to those records. Third, without knowing both sides of the story its hard for me to believe that you were terminated for this one isoloated incident (although that is all it takes) however like you said, a few others you knew were able to keep there jobs. As I stated above get as much information from AIR as you can, Im sure that they have many suggestions for you and be proactive with your employer, the answer is always NO! unless you ask.

[miloisstinky]

Exactly, call AIR, I believe they have a 24 hour help line. They are VERY helpful and knowledgeable on all the in's and out's of your situation. Good luck.

[SFCardiacRN]

I hate to say it but once you've been terminated from a goverment job, you have virtually no chance for re-hire. Employees still on probation have almost no rights and there are not ANY organizations that the feds have to listen to. Federal hospitals are not even required to follow state mandates. Good luck, and I hope this does not follow you.

[rayman]

I work at a gov facility. When someone tests positive they are treated as having a "medical problem" and as long as you stay clean and jump through their hoops you are allowed to keep your job. Good luck and stay clean.