Accused of med diversion, no proof

Nurses Recovery

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So to start this off, I am innocent. However I have dealt with the BON before and I know they lack all practicality and sense. (Was another seperate issue that was dismissed without prejudice). So anyway, I left a job today. Turned in my resignation, turned my scrubs and badge back in, everything. They found out I'm applying elsewhere, so I get a call from the owner telling me he knows I took meds from the pharmacy for myself and that if I turn myself into TPAPN and accept $25,000 less per year he won't turn me into the board. I was floored to say the least.

I said yes I had picked them up but had never taken anything, and there was no policy against picking them up, nor have I ever been reprimanded or punished at all. He says this happened a few weeks ago, yet I was never told of this, never suspended, never fired, and never drug tested a single bit. I mean they did nothing. Not a single thing, and I haven't signed or submitted anything. It's just after they found out I was going elsewhere he said all this. I sent them a normal resignation.

What at do you think the board will do? I would hope they would ask what proof they have and why didn't I get tested or suspended or anything. I mean I got my full paycheck today as a matter of fact, I even went on a weeks vacation (paid) after they say this supposedly happened.

Im Just terrified and wanna know what to expect. I KNOW to lawyer up if they turn it into the board.

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Hello? This thing on?

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Wow, what do they allege you did?

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Specializes in Pediatric.

So they bribed you in order to not turn you in? Report them!

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That I guess I was picking them up from the pharmacy and taking them myself. But, I mean, the doctor signs the triplicates, they get the pharmacy bills, all these things, im not even the only nurse with them. So if I was taking them for myself since November as they say there would have been SOMEONE to check up on it.

And yes, they pretty much blackmailed me.

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I guess I am afraid the board will not look at the fact that they never tested me, suspended me, fired me, had me write a statement, anything at all whatsoever.

The owner swears he has people in the office who will say I confessed (and I didn't) and patients who will say they never got meds, although both of the main caretakers of those patients he mentioned are a bit scatterbrained and with bad memories themselves that other nurses can verify

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Document everything you've told us. Stop discussing this on the Internet. Find a lawyer. Sitdown and journal the patients names the details everything that you can. Just start throwing it in the journal then wait and see if you hear any anything from the board of nursing. You may not hear anything at all it's the owner was going to have to prove. Contact the other nurses if you Canand see if they will write a letter and sign it and get it notarized .

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When an employer gives a verbal ultimatum, you can respond with "I will need to see that in writing" "Once I receive a letter on company letterhead with the human resources manager's signature, I will review it with my lawyer." After hanging up, email the human resources manager and tell them exactly what verbal ultimatum the manager gave you and your response.

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If the owner had proof that you diverted patients' medications they would be in violation of the nursing practice act if they did NOT report you and they could be fined. Employers are responsible for protecting public safety and cannot make side deals with nurses who violate the nursing act. The employer doesn't have proof and their threat is illegal, seek advise of an attorney familiar with nursing licensing issues.

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Interesting situation. Keep us posted.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I guess I am afraid the board will not look at the fact that they never tested me, suspended me, fired me, had me write a statement, anything at all whatsoever.

The owner swears he has people in the office who will say I confessed (and I didn't) and patients who will say they never got meds, although both of the main caretakers of those patients he mentioned are a bit scatterbrained and with bad memories themselves that other nurses can verify

Something very similar happened to me where a company that I worked for started sling all kinds of MUD at me after I left a job with a full months notice. It became very uncomfortable for me as my mother is a resident at that facility. I happen to have a lawyer or two in my pocket so I sent them a strongly worded letter that "Slander of my name would not be tolerated and that my next recourse was to have my attorney contact them" They did an immediate about face -corporate office even called me to "Investigate my complaint" Nursing is a small world and word gets around. I am a nice person but not to be ****** with!

Hppy

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I would probably pay for a hair follicle drug screen out of my own pocket, to have just in case. These tests go back 90 days or more. Does that fall within the time frame of these alleged events?

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