I had called out too many days, then showed up to work on my day off to meet with my manager and accused of acting "impaired" now have been reported to Bon, went for an initial "assessment" and now told I was deemed "unsafe to practice" (I was fired that day, over 30 days ago) now have mother job but facing unemployment, out of money, facing eviction, homelessness, etc.
I have complied with their request to complete a uds in order to determine if I can work this week.
I'm terrified, if I don't return to work, I'll lose this job, too. I've been playing for all sorts of other jobs, but I've been in nursing for 15 years, how do I explain my suddenly getting out of the field??
Realistically are they going to let me go to work if they find this uds is clear (it will be).
I just don't know where to turn, I have so many questions and don't know where to ask. The state is NC, nobody have advice with the Bon?
Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.
This is not an option, I don't have the funds to begin to even think about having a lawyer. Resources are tapped and don't have insurance.
Many lawyers offer free consultations and don't require payment unless you receive some sort of settlement with the party in question. I don't know if that's the case with every single legal issue, but that's been the case the 2 times I've used lawyers. The first time did pertain to my job, so it's definitely worth looking into. In any event, I'm so sorry you're going through this and hope things start to look up for you soon.
I did consult a lawyer and wish I would have sooner. I'm going to defend myself and not be bullied! Thank you everyone for your input, good luck to all of you and your journeys.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I take ambien... why do you say this? I know I have gained a ton of weight from night walking/eating.. and it only works if i take it on an empty stomach.. but what was your experience?
My addictionologist told me that Ambien the same neuro-transmitters that Alcohol does. That was 10 years ago. I had been a functional alcoholic for 30 years and only really spiraled out of control after starting on Ambien. My sister is an attorney who works with a lot of Substance abuse cases and has told me stories of the things people do under the influence of Ambien that they never did before taking it. True this is all anecdotal but why risk it?
I also don't believe (but could be wrong) that no state monitoring program allows Ambien or most other sleep aids - mine wouldn't even let me take benedryl. It took me almost a year to establish a good routine of sleep hygiene without substances. I still use it today.
I also don't believe (but could be wrong) that no state monitoring program allows Ambien or most other sleep aids - mine wouldn't even let me take benedryl. It took me almost a year to establish a good routine of sleep hygiene without substances. I still use it today.
Hppy
You are wrong. Kansas allows for anything as long as you have a valid script and a note from the MD stating they know what is up.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
AmbiEn is fine if you take it correctly. I took it for two years post cancer to help me get through my anxiety about my cancer returning. Not going to lie, it was tough to get off but I did it safely by tapering.
Also, you shouldn't be withholding a patient's meds due to your judgement regarding the med. If the pt. is prescribed the med and requests the med, you should be giving it as long as it is safe.
Not giving medical advice just saying that most state monitoring programs do not allow you to take any benzo type sleep med and for sure not clonazepam unless you have a history of seizures. California for sure will not let you take any of the 'pams (Clonazapam, lorazepam etc....) No Ambien not even Benadryl. but they did let me take trazadone and rozerem and remeron. I hate to see people set themselves up for failure with these programs and BTW the monitoring programs don't care if you have a prescription for it.
Sounds like such a mess!...Sorry you're going through this. I have to admit I don't understand how you can get in trouble for "acting impaired"--one would think your employer would need some kind of actual evidence that you were impaired; lack of sleep alone can make people appear "impaired."
As far as your evaluation--please keep in mind that medical professionals' opinions are just that: opinions. If you can get a second opinion, please do. I'm afraid some of these evaluators may not be entirely impartial--no way for me to know for sure, that's just my gut feeling. If you can get a second opinion, please try to ensure that the doctor has no connection to rehab facilities or other conflicts of interest that might influence his/her evaluation. Specifically, avoid evaluators recommended by the Board or a monitoring program--that's a dead giveaway that the evaluator will see things their way.
Finally, any legal advice you can obtain, please do! The Board is charged with protecting the public from impaired nurses, so it will not give you the benefit of the doubt. Legal advice is necessary if you are to have any chance of avoiding the full-on monitoring process.
Most of all, though, don't give up! Don't know if you're a spiritual sort, but all things really do work to the good of those who love God. Which I interpret as meaning loving yourself, your fellow man, and life itself--be positive, keep moving forward, and never give up! It is hard sometimes, but you will get through this, if you only believe that you can!
GET A LAWYER ASAP!!!! ..... I'm living the nightmare for the past 4 years in PA. I was put on the program for a DUI in 2007 before I even attended nursing school. Even if your drug screens come back negative they WILL NOT allow you to work for a certain period of time. ( In PA it was 90 days after 15 group meetings were done. Which ended up being 4 months.). I wish I got a lawyer in the beginning it would have saved me tons of money and stress.. I REPEAT GET A LAWYER ASAP!!!
IsabellaRN2
19 Posts
This is not an option, I don't have the funds to begin to even think about having a lawyer. Resources are tapped and don't have insurance.