Unsolved drug diversion- entering nursing classes

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Hi, new here & hope I have the right area/am able to ask this.

Recently as a non traditional student i've worked my way up, gotten my scores up, and taken the past year gaining college acceptance.

I'll be relying heavily on loans/grants with an efc of 0- it's taken countless hours and money getting here.

This is my first time in anything healthcare related- I currently work as best described a pcw.

I've had training on meds, am allowed to handle them when need be & have access to narcotics. Took the job for experience.

This facility just had assisted living added & this was their first resident who needed help with medications.

As I work night shifts it's rare that I come across any except 2 in the morning. I've worked days once since the arrival handling the full med chart.

I start classes next week & already spent my savings on textbooks etc.

My loans are dependant on not carrying any drug related charges once I accept from what I understand.

But there was an incident of an empty narcotic being placed back in the container.

I had been working 12 hr shifts & signed off, not noticing anything wrong, and proceeded to work the facility on my own.

When the next shift started the check was off & in total I was there 19 hrs with the police called.

Phone had been gone through, no testing done, no cameras in med room.

Besides me it's between one other but Im the one stuck as no one can understand what happened & I have no way of proving anything.

So in short, I was let go, told to resume as normal, no charges.

But followed by a lengthy panic attack I was told regardless of innocence I would still have trouble finding work in the nursing area.

Will this effect me even if it's never concluded?

I've put everything this & my life looks ruined a week before I've even gotten to start

Ty!

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

You currently don't have drug related charges so your loans are fine. If you did, you have a lawyer (hopefully) and be fighting a criminal charge in court. I would be more worried if this was reported to the BON. Because that would be the only way this would affect your career as a nurse as was implied. Call your state BON and ask to verify if you have ever been charged with anything. Or see if you can search your name in their verification site to see if there is a diversion charge. If this was recent, then they may not have sent you out a notice yet. But since you are not a nurse, they may not have anything in you. I know there is a database of those accused of elderly neglect, which you weren't, but there may be somewhere where techs and med aids that have been reported for diversion are listed. I would be good to contact the facility and ask if they reported you to any regulating body. If they did then it is time to get a lawyer and dispute the charges. They won't affect your student loans but could affect your future licensing.

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Thank you so much for the response.

I had asked those close to me in the field previously, but not reliable.

I am attaining my RN to begin with & currently love my job/residents/those I work with.

Entirely just worried as this field is the one that's felt home to me.

It happened today- I will be contacting resources you've provided in time.

The other worker is the closest to me, but I understand the situatian with my inexperience compared to 10+ years they've had... that is my defining weakness & don't want to be taken advantage of.

I want to protect myself and how hard i've worked- but I also have no issues with this facility.

I had asked if I needed an attorney with apprehension as this facility has been encouraging & truly helpful (along with devoted RN & training) to my career..

But... I can't take it without a fight. I had agreed to everything asked for & questioned.

I've had handled medications & full care with glowing reviews from that resident given the opportunity.

Have worked every shift & taken 16 hours numerous opportunities.

The rest had been documents that I didn't touch.

Officer had asked if prints/dna were on them, explained how I never personally touched them without a seal between me & the narcotics.

I don't want my career jeopardized bc a syringe had been misplaced.

I handle a thyroid med & prn's excluding the narcotics.

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Specializes in ER.

So in short, I was let go, told to resume as normal, no charges.3

Let go as in police let you go or let go as in told to quit/fire?

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The police & my supervisor had let me go for the day.

Was told to resume my regular work schedule when I came back.

Supervisor just look freaked out as she was new as well.

The officer was the one who told me my future employment was at stake.

Was that a scare tactic?

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Sounds like it.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

Oh, if it was the officer, then it was probably just a scare tactic. You post is a bit hard to understand, but why were the cops even called. At my facility, there have been 2 nurses accused of diversion. Cops were not called for either. The DON had a sit down with the nurses in question and they were sent home while the facility investigated. the nurses never came back so I can only assume they were guilty and charged. But again, no cops called. And its weird they didnt have you drug test. Diverters usually do so because they take the med they are diverting. Usually a UA is done to see if unprescribed meds matching the missing meds are present in your system. This whole story just sounds wonky. But if your facility told you to come back, then it sounds like they are not reporting you.

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Specializes in ICU.

What is a pcw? Is that like a CNA? Why were you handling medications if you are a CNA? Are you maybe a medication aide? I'm just trying to understand. As a PP said your post is hard to understand. But like the others if you were asked to come back, then I'm assuming no charges will be filed. And you had a previous drug charge and that is why your loans are dependent on that? I'm sure that's why the officer was trying to scare you. He must have run your name and realized there was a previous charge. Be careful. If someone is diverting meds you don't want to be anywhere near that if you have previous charges.

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Sorry, panicking & didn't explain clearly.

I work in a retirement community, the facility was just approved to offer assisted living.

Another worker & I were hired so they could offer 24/7 care.

Tend to the building, assist residents, & for those unable I handle their medications.

I did not know I was able to until the RN approved us after training.

I also trained at the larger accompanying facility that is more post care oriented.

Personal care worker?

I won't even be a cna until december.

Don't have any previous charges.

I just had the idea that I wouldn't be offered federal student loans if I had any drug relation guilty/not guilty.

The cop was brought out in a public area & only questioned us 2 as we were the only ones on shift for the weekend besides a cook.

From what I understand he seemed to think I sold it/had someone pick it up.

But I told him the truth, explained my situation.

There are no cameras in the chart room.. and there would be no dna on any of the narcotics bc I don't touch them besides checks inbetween shifts

The latest i've heard is that no charges were filed against us because there wasn't any evidence.

I was never personally told this, one of my coworkers informed me of it from overhearing.

I'm still gonna check in as neither of is questioned understand why we were simply told to go home & never given an answer.

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