BON question

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 20, 2005

Hello all, i am new to this board and have a question that some of you may be able to answer. I will try to make this short. I had a surgical procedure that my doctor thought ibuprofen would take care of the pain, this was on friday afternoon. Ibuprofen didn't take care of pain, so I took 1/2 of one of my sister's pain pills. On monday had to take a drug test for missing ativan, along with everyone else at work. Had an interview on Tuesday for a different job and quit without notice. I was turned in to the BON when this showed up on my drug screen. Ended up with a $700 fine, 2 years probation, have to work under a impaired nurse contract. Does this sound fair or should I get an attorney after the fact? Thanks for any help.

What drug was found in the urine?

gracie85 · Sep 20, 2005

What drug was found in the urine?

It was methadone that she takes routinely.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 20, 2005

It was methadone that she takes routinely.

Hello, gracie85,

I am sure you already know you messed up.......(1)not contacting your physician and getting a stronger pain med......(2)taking meds prescribed for another person........(3)methadone??

Yes, if you want to pursue this, IMHO, you need an attorney.

Siri

gracie85 · Sep 20, 2005

Hello, gracie85,
I am sure you already know you messed up.......(1)not contacting your physician and getting a stronger pain med......(2)taking meds prescribed for another person........(3)methadone??
Yes, if you want to pursue this, IMHO, you need an attorney.
Siri

That is just it, I am not sure what to do. I have been on probation for a year and a half, and have done everything I am supposed to do. I don't know if it would be better to just finish with my probation and be done with it or try to clear my name. Also will this be on my license forever? Yes I know what I did was clearly not the right thing to do, but does this punishment fit this crime?

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 20, 2005

That is just it, I am not sure what to do. I have been on probation for a year and a half, and have done everything I am supposed to do. I don't know if it would be better to just finish with my probation and be done with it or try to clear my name. Also will this be on my license forever? Yes I know what I did was clearly not the right thing to do, but does this punishment fit this crime?

I know you are feeling overwhelmed by this.

Yes, usually this type of reprimand is appropriate for this type of violation. I know it does not seem right in your situation. But, the BON cannot possibly know that this was an innocent thing. And, in this situation you took this drug for which you had no prescription, this is not a defensible excuse.

Yes, this is on your license. Should you ever want to go to another state, you will have to report that you had charges before the BON and licensed suspended/reprimaded.

I am sorry.

gracie85 · Sep 20, 2005

I know you are feeling overwhelmed by this.
Yes, usually this type of reprimand is appropriate for this type of violation. I know it does not seem right in your situation. But, the BON cannot possibly know that this was an innocent thing. And, in this situation you took this drug for which you had no prescription, this is not a defensible excuse.
Yes, this is on your license. Should you ever want to go to another state, you will have to report that you had charges before the BON and licensed suspended/reprimaded.
I am sorry.

The charge is for "unprofessional conduct" not any drug charge, is this the normal thing? I feel like I was not treated as an individual. I have really lost faith in the nursing board. I had even thought of changing careers, this is just too stressful. Will the outcome change if I hire an attorney? That is the thing I am wondering about now. Thank you so much for listening. I know I was wrong, but I mainly feel like my side wasn't heard fairly.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Sep 20, 2005

I verify physician licenses almost daily as part of my job. Once a month, I see a notation on PA's SBOM license website "Disciplinary history exists. Contact SBOM for further information" which I need to do to eval if physician license is clear and acceptable to our homecare agency. Saw a notation this year over delinquent $10.00 license fee! Same thing applies to SBON here: once disciplinary history exists, its part of permanent record.

Good luck in moving forward. Since you've waited 1 1/2 years, don't think SBON will reverse decision. This is why carrying malpractice insurance is wise for that $100.00/year cost, you'd have availability of lawyer to represent you with just a quick phone call as never know when one will be needed.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 20, 2005

The charge is for "unprofessional conduct" not any drug charge, is this the normal thing? I feel like I was not treated as an individual. I have really lost faith in the nursing board. I had even thought of changing careers, this is just too stressful. Will the outcome change if I hire an attorney? That is the thing I am wondering about now. Thank you so much for listening. I know I was wrong, but I mainly feel like my side wasn't heard fairly.

Yes, this is common...."unprofessional conduct".

If you think you were not fairly treated, then by all means secure an attorney.

I am a strong advocate for nurses securing the services of an attorney anytime they have to go before the BON. You never know.

gracie85 · Sep 20, 2005

I verify physician licenses almost daily as part of my job. Once a month, I see a notation on PA's SBOM license website "Disciplinary history exists. Contact SBOM for further information" which I need to do to eval if physician license is clear and acceptable to our homecare agency. Saw a notation this year over delinquent $10.00 license fee! Same thing applies to SBON here: once disciplinary history exists, its part of permanent record.
Good luck in moving forward. Since you've waited 1 1/2 years, don't think SBON will reverse decision. This is why carrying malpractice insurance is wise for that $100.00/year cost, you'd have availability of lawyer to represent you with just a quick phone call as never know when one will be needed.

Not really wanting a decision reversed, just don't want it on my record forever, and have to explain everytime I apply for a job. I feel like a criminal.

gracie85 · Sep 20, 2005

Yes, this is common...."unprofessional conduct".
If you think you were not fairly treated, then by all means secure an attorney.
I am a strong advocate for nurses securing the services of an attorney anytime they have to go before the BON. You never know.

When I went to the meeting to find out what they were going to do, they encouraged me not to get an attorney because they said there was already about 600 people waiting to go before the board and the outcome would probably be the same. I was so scared I would have agreed to whatever they said. I can't believe I was so naive.