really disappointed after my trip to the BON

No kidding about the license. She doesn't have to be seen as suspicious. All you have to do is say "Sure! Meet me at the <insert location of secured narcotics> with the order."

This morning, for the first time ever, I read a full set of minutes from our BON. OMG! I couldn't believe the numbers of people they are monitoring. Not only that but I know two of them! It is not funny.

About the whole DUI thing...I happen to think that a DUI is a big warning sign of an alcohol problem. I AM NOT saying that DUI=alcoholic but it can be one of the first outward signs.

The woman who messed up her testing? Sucks to be her, but the dog ate her homework. As for the drugs on duty? I would have been so much more harsh with her. Plus quite honestly what about the RN who did not see the order?

It might help to look up the details of the PEER program. I suspect that is your state's program for drug/etoh abusing nurses. It probably includes treatment and monitoring. The nurse who took the demerol will end up calling in for random testing just like the DUI RN.

Don't you think "any other crimes" would affect not only a nurse but any other career ?
Oh, I see that you are 19 so never mind.
But good luck in whatever you do.

Unfortunately addiction does affect work as a nurse and BONs do not differentiate between the substances abused (although caffeine and nicotine get passes). DUI is seen as an indicator or addiction. It may seem draconian but drug and alcohol addiction are treated alike. I'm glad that most if not all states have programs for nurses so that they can get treatment, keep their license, and continue to work if they are able to stay clean.


Sunflowerinsc, I don't think it's fair to dismiss someone's ideas based on their age. That shuts down discussion. All of us have things we can learn.

What I find interesting is how some other boards for other professional licenses outside of health care tend to be more strict. For example, I have an insurance license. In my state, you cannot get an insurance license if you've ever had a felony in you entire life, no matter how old. However, in this same state, our BON will issue nursing licenses, in most intances, as long as the applicants' felony conviction(s) are over five years old.

Also, in my state, you cannot get a realtor's license if you have had a DUI. The conflict is obvious - realtors drive clients around. There's no provision for testing or second chances. Just license declined or revoked.

Some might want to consider that our BONs may be more leniant than we realize.

I think you all don't realize what the "peer assistance" entails. The program in itself is very harsh. However, it is so strict that if you want to continue to be a nurse, you MUST recover. SO, in a sense, it is punishment AND recovery at the same time. It is not just a slap on the wrist.

I will repeat,, it is NOT just a slap on the wrist. By far, it is not.

I'm very curious. The BON you describe sounds remarkably like the Colorado BON. Despite your age, your observations were very astute. My sister has an issue that has spanned the last 4, soon to be 5 years. Her nurse attorney told her that the Board does not like it when an attorney is involved and they tend to "come down harder." The attorney also described the Board as "arbitrary and capricious." A question is this, "Is it possible for unjust charges to be brought against a nurse?" If yes, then does the nurse not have a right to defend her/himself? Does s/he not have a right to expect the Board to act with integrity and rational consideration?

I have watched my sister's process unfold from a distance and, for her, it has been life-altering. BONs are comprised of humans who are theoretically guided by the Nurse Practice Act. The substance of the Nurse Practice Act varies from state to state. Some Nurse Practice Acts are 10s of pages long, while others are greater than 100 pages. You can imagine that a less specific Nurse Practice Act would leave more for subjective interpretation - hence, possibly the root of what you observed. I am a RN who is untrained in law and can only speculate.

One nurse put it aptly in an earlier post... you had a great experience before you even started your career. Thankfully, most of us will never have to experience what you saw. It does, however, behoove us to support our state nurses associations and familiarize ourselves with this aspect of our chosen profession. You never know when your number may be the next called!

That was how I felt...if she made the call, even if it was a bit late, I can't really see the difference. I am understanding the rationale since I am reading other opinions, but, hey... I would never say that I have trust in the BON, anyhow.

I know two people whose licenses were restricted, one d/t an unproven allegation of being impaired at work, one d/t self-report of drug diversion. Both got the same "sentence" of random drug-testing, monthly reporting, and a narcotic key restriction - both for five years. Both of them were almost unemployable for five years. And the catch is that the five years doesn't accumulate unless employed.

I've never understood how the first person got that treatment when she was never tested. Nothing was ever proven. The consequences almost ruined her. It's made me very afraid of the BON.