Finished peer 5yrs ago. Now under suspicion but innocent

Nurses Recovery

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I successfully finished Peer assistance 5 yrs ago. Up until yesterday I was at the same job that I worked while being monitored. Never had any issues. I got to work last night and the administrator called me in the office to terminate me because a couple of nurses aides told him that they saw me put pills in my pocket then walk out the back door. Either somebody mistook what they were seeing ( I have gotten motrin off the med cart but nothing else ) or, they had it out for me. The administrator was forced to turn this into the police and he said he had to contact the BON. I offered right there to drug test. I asked him like three times. He was actually uncomfortable confronting and firing me with this. I have been a valuable employee ( been there seven years, my only job since peer) I have a good relationship with all the other nurses and my DON.

I was just sick about it last night. I still feel that shame from my first peer experience. Even though I didn't do anything wrong. Pissed off a couple of aids. Long term care facility. The division between nurses and aids can be tense but never would I have thought that anyone would screw me over in this degree. I woke up this morning and first thing went and took a drug test ( lol even the same place I used to go to monthly ) the test was all negative. Just like I knew it would be. I took my paper back to my job and talked with my DON and another nurse. I showed them the paper and and basically just told them that I was innocent and I wanted them to know that I wasn't using. And that I loved them. All of my coworkers that I work with are supportive of me. Even the administrator, he even told me to come back when I got "this mess all figured out". I called a lawyer today as well who specializes in nursing board stuff.

I still haven't called my family about these allegations. I feel shame with telling them I got fired and how come.

I AM TERRIFIED OF THE BON. They just see me as a number. I am scared they are going to judge me from the past and just throw me to the wolves, even though I am innocent. Has anyone else been through peer and then ended up having to deal with the board again? I hope that clean drug test will prove it. This seems out of my control.

I am eating a lot of chocolate right now and am stressed out. Would love thoughts, advice..........

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Do not admit to even taking the Motrin... Get an employment attorney and or a BON attorney that knows what they are doing. Sounds like potential wrongful termination and defamation of character.

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Thank you for the shout out. I loved that job. I loved the people I served. I understand that he had to do what he had to do. All I really care about is staying healthy and clearing my name. The lawyer I talked to specializes in nursing issues. She is the only one in the state of Oklahoma! It is like a three hour drive to get to Oklahoma City from where I live. Luckily peer is also in Ok City so when I recieve "the letter" I am to call her and tell her my app. day and she will see me before I go before them.

I do feel a little better about stuff. I told my dad what was going on. He stuck with me and helped me through peer assistance. He even said he would go to see the lawyer and also go with me when I go to see the board. Nice having a dad that has my back. I am still stressed but don't feel as shameful as before telling my pops.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

I am not a litigious person, but this sounds like it could get messy for whoever reported you and for possibly your employer for not even investigating the claim. Basically someone reported you for diverting, and instead of having you do a drug test and doing a narc count, or go through the MAR, or interview residents, or whatever else they do, they just fired you solely off the word of another employee. And if they did investigate, I would imagine they would have let you know that at your termination. I'm glad you have a lawyer to help you with this and I am sorry for you having to go through this because someone is mad at you or they saw something and mistook what happened. Its pretty terrible if its just someone trying to spite you because this is messing with your livelihood and I hope they are termed when your name is cleared.

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

I'm so sorry. Don't let the haters get you. Fight back.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

I think it is bitterly unfair that they fired you without even doing an investigation! What controlled substance can you take without signing out for it in some fashion? Did you recently take Motrin and that is what they saw..is the timing right? If so, unfortunately that is theft but it is a far cry from stealing a controlled substance. I think I would take the advice of 1sttime and keep that quiet!

What exactly are they reporting to the police and BON if they have no proof and have not done an investigation..just a possibility that you took a controlled substance? If they have no evidence then I would start looking into a lawsuit of wrongful termination, but after everything is cleared up. You may not want to even go back there! I find it odd that they did not just suspend you while they investigated. Perhaps because of your history they assumed the worst,which again is not right!

How come the aids know your history? I have learned that the best thing I can do is to keep my business very private and I only share with the closest of friends that I can trust. Some people are just mean and ugly and do not care if your ability to earn an income is suddenly cut off, your life tuned upside down and your reputation blemished.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Med/Surg.
Do not admit to even taking the Motrin... Get an employment attorney and or a BON attorney that knows what they are doing. Sounds like potential wrongful termination and defamation of character.

If I could "like" the above post a hundred times I would! :yes: I think it is a crying shame that a nurse who has straightened her life out should be vulnerable to complete BS like this.

I just hope the OP is in a state that has labor laws to protect workers, unlike mine that only favors employers, i.e. a "right to work" state. UGH.

Catmom :paw:

P.S. Don't let shame cripple you and keep you from seeking the support of your family mirasmommy :hug:

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