Nurses Self Reporting (MICH)

[Tanlie226]

I am new to this site, however it was suggested I start my own thread to hopefully gain responses to my questions and hopefully even help someone else out there...

Ok, Make a long story short (as I can) I was diverting, got confronted through a meeting and I denied at first. My inner core was shocked and embarassed and humiliated. I was told that "this is now reportable to the state" as they had some evidence of medication taken out through documentation errors on my part. As i said I denied at first and before I left meeting, I was handed a card by the person handling this (employee relations?) .. My question to all of you out there .....I feel I should self report, but am scared. Should I call lady back and acknowledge my faults and take accountability and tell her I want to enter into the program that state offers ORrrrrrrrr Should I self report directly to the state (MICH) ???? If anyone can please offer some advice/suggestions, I would be most graciously appreciative.

[LilRedRN1973]

In my state, if you do not self report, you are not given the option of a monitoring agreement where after 5 years, it's wiped from your record. You are given probation and if you step outside your requirements during that probation, your license is revoked. Also, after you complete the 5 years, your name is still in the national databank where anyone can access it and see you were once on probation for whatever reason. In the monitoring agreement, if you screw up, you are then given probation. If you complete the monitoring agreement (5 years), you are in the clear as far as the national databank is concerned. I did not want to report myself but was STRONGLY encouraged several times by my HR department to do so. I'm glad I did and here I am, 15 months sober, working at a job I absolutely LOVE, and being able to cope with things like the death of my mother last month (a burst aneurysm) without having to eat a bottle of pills to get through my day. I don't like all the requirements at times, but I also love that they are there, holding me accountable. I will be released in a few months from the weekly Aftercare but will continue attending because of how much I grow from each session. My nurse support group is my savior at times and I'm glad I will be required to attend the weekly sessions for the next 4 1/2 years. This is the best thing that could have happened to me, oddly enough. I NEVER, EVER would have stepped foot into psych nursing and here I am, working at an outpatient mental clinic, loving every minute of my job. I get to be proud of who I am and not hide my addiction; I'm able to help my clients with their own struggles with sobriety.

As for a lawyer...in my state, if you show up with an attorney, it can spell disaster. The Board frowns upon lawyers. A colleage of mine has appeared at several DAC and Board meeting with his attorney and not only is he not getting anywhere, the Board is beginning to treat him with a fair amount of disrespect. Again, this is in my state....not sure how others look at lawyers. Good luck! :nuke:

[rninmi]

Sorry, been off the site for a while...so what happened? As for your question of inpt vs iop....like everyone has said...each case is different. Typically with a relapse (which you have had)...they "up" the level of care. In your case it would mean inpt....DON'T LET THAT SCARE YOU!!! Let us know what happened???