If a nurse is caught falsifying prescriptions and stealing narcs, isn't that an automatic trip in front of the board of nursing for that state? Just curious. Had an incident at work 18 months ago or so and I have not seen this nurse's name come up in the minutes of the State Board meetings. I know her license is still active. I was wondering how much time can elapse between the incident and an appearance before the board.....anyone have any ideas. I know it will vary from state to state, just looking for some rough estimates...

In the case of the one nurse I knew who was caught falsifying a prescription, action was immediate. However, I'm wondering whether their names are actually published in the minutes if they are voluntarily participating in the state-sponsored D & A program (and the fact that she's still got her license leads me to believe that she is, as long as you're positive that she was in fact reported to the state BON.) Wouldn't confidentiality apply there? And is she still eligible for the treatment program if she's caught stealing narcs as well as forging scripts?

Sorry, I'm not helping, am I? More questions than answers.

I don't know about the names and confidentiality. I looked through the minutes and they had in there about certain healthcare providers being required to go into the program and stuff. It was pretty thorough. My guess is that the board meetings are open to the general public, so it would be part of the public record. This nurse I have referenced to was supposedly reported to the state board by our administration. But this nurse was also looked at as being "the perfect nurse" so who knows if our administration reported her.

Thanks for replying.

PS-I bet NRSKarenRN would know the answer to the confidentiality thing and all that goes with it. She can find a link to anything!!!

In Florida, it ISN'T an automatic trip to the boards. I believe it all depends on the director of the floor. We had a nurse that got caught 3 different times steeling and using narcs and the nurse ended up going into rehab each time. The nurse was fired each time from the hospital, then rehired back. When they come back, they can't have the narc keys for a period of months......not sure how long

I would suspect that the employer is covering for her. She must have fair hair so to speak.

Oh, and we had a CNA one time who got fired 3 times for the effects of smoking pot. They always hired him back, the last time with the stipulation that he must work night shift. He was worthless. Would disappear for hours at a time, smoke his pot on the job, sleep, read the newspaper, etc., and developed a way, when teaming w/co-worker to always be the person turning the resident, so the co-worker had to clean the mess! Yeah, he was a model employee!

Originally posted by caliotter3

I would suspect that the employer is covering for her.

My thoughts exactly!!!! Or she has something on the employer that could land them in deep trouble......

Maybe it was the first time this nurse had been accused of something and she is being referred to counseling and help which is what it sounds like she needs. Punitive actions aren't gonna make her problem that she needs help with go away. They probably will only worsen it. I would think that she deserves some confidentiality in the issue....everyone deserves a second chance.

True that most hospitals will offer treatment for staff caught taking narcs. Ive seen a couple people get treatment and are still employed. But the forging of prescriptions is another matter all together. Wouldnt that be out of the hospitals hands and land it into the criminal prosecution area?

If they actually got the script filled Iwould think the doctor as well as the pharmacy would take immediate action through the courts.

I see your point about the false prescriptions.... that is true. Although it is all a part of the poor nurse's disease.......so I guess it all depends on how they decide to respond.

Anyhow, I just think the nurse ought to get some privacy with the issue to get the help she needs and not be publicly scorned!!!!!

IN CALIFORNIA... IT DEPENDS ON THE HOSPITAL AND HOW THEY DEAL WITH THE EMPLOYEE... AT THE FACILITY I WORKED AT WE HAD SEVERAL RNS AND ANCILLARY STAFF THAT HAD BEEN CAUGHT WITH NARCS. THE HOSPITAL ATTEMPTED TO HELP THEM BY PLACING THEM IN A DRUG REHAB TYPE PROGRAM AND TAKING AWAY THEIR ACCESS TO OBTAINING NARCS... 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 UNFORTUNATELY THIS DIDNT WORK... BRN WAS NOTIFIED AND THE NURSE WAS INVESTIGATED AND USUALLY THEIR LICENSE WAS PULLED. THE ISSUE THAT SCARES ME THE MOST IS THE PATIENT SAFETY... AND THE SAFETY OF THE STAFF. DRUG ADDICTION IS A BRUTAL VICE THAT IS VERY HARD TO CORRECT, ESPECIALLY IF THE PERSON ISNT WILLING TO HELP THEMSELVES.

I HAVE SEVERAL TIMES APPROACHED AND EVEN REPORTED ACTIVITY, ONLY ON THE BASIC FACT THAT THERE IS MORE THAN ONE LIFE IN JEOPARDY... NOT TO MENTION THE WATERFALL OF EFFECTS IT HAS ON THE FAMILY MEMBERS, STAFF AND EVEN THE SUITS OF THE HOSPITAL WHEN IT COMES TO LAWSUITS.....

Originally posted by New CCU RN

Maybe it was the first time this nurse had been accused of something and she is being referred to counseling and help which is what it sounds like she needs. Punitive actions aren't gonna make her problem that she needs help with go away. They probably will only worsen it. I would think that she deserves some confidentiality in the issue....everyone deserves a second chance.

She has had a second chance! After the first time she was caught falsifying scripts (verified with several of the docs' names she forged), she was given a M-F job with no weekends, no holidays, no direct bedside care....then she was gradually allowed back into bedside care and the same crap happened again....now she has another M-F job, no weekends, no holidays position. Yeah, confidentiality is an issue but the administration has set a precedent for anyone else who maybe accused of the same doings. A LOT of disharmony and anger at our facility over this issue...makes the staff who are hard working and honest feel like crap when someone else can break the law (several times) and be rewarded with better hours....it bites.....