Can I lose my license???

[Staceyface65]

I have been going through some really stressful times - family wise. I was at work and I just felt lousy and dehydrated, so I gave myself a saline iv. I got caught, got fired and now they say they are going to report me to nc bon for practicing medicine without a license?????

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

OP, do you have malpractice insurance?

[Gooselady, BSN, RN]

I think what is rubbing people the wrong way is the lack of remorse from the OP. No where is there really an admission of just how foolish this was.

I'll put it out there--this is a serious lapse in judgement. I don't know what the BON will do, I don't know the ins and outs of every situation in which one can lose a nursing license; but the board might question if someone who made such a lapse should have a professional license. I know that is a bit harsh, and I would recommend getting your proverbial ducks in a row.

Yes, this.

There are just some impulses you don't indulge. It's like you just KNOW not to do certain things.

It's more of an attitude than a specific kind of mistake. This attitude has been responsible for other issues in your nursing career. Most people who succeed in nursing seem to 'know' what the boundary's are and respect them automatically.

As a rule, nurses don't have a lot of balls when it comes to things like hanging an IV on yourself at work. You probably have the kind of balls it takes to fight this with the BON, too, and I wish you luck, it's got to be the most EMBARRASSING reason to lose your job over! But I'll bet you aren't really embarrassed, are you?

[m1b2t3]

I'm very sorry to hear that I'll pray for u because it's so hard to survive nursing school remember god is good

[scottaprn]

I personally know someone who was suspended by the BON for starting IV fluids on someone else who worked in the department.

That was the least of their problems after it was referred to the board of medicine.

Hire an attorney

[klone, MSN, RN]

Oh it's real. Any one who is dehydrated and sleep deprived... could slip into the treat thyself mode.

Dehydration leads to profound confusion. The OP needs support... not Monday morning quarterbacking.

I disagree. If she was that disoriented, it would have been noticed. This sounds like someone using bad judgment and thinking this would be a good idea.

I've been dehydrated and had a charge nurse offer to start an IV on me and give me a liter of NS. I've also had severe sciatica secondary to a herniated disc, and had a CRNA offer to give me an epidural injection. Both times I politely declined. Because it's not worth risking one's job and nursing license.

Common sense, people.

[amoLucia]

I'm sitting in the middle on this one. Think I'll make some popcorn.

I'd hate to be on a jury for this one. Might there be more to the story that we don't know?

[Libby1987]

Start a self IV when one is not only dehydrated but confused? Really? I had paramedics who couldn't start an IV on me (and they're used to non ideal circumstances) but this nurse who was so exhausted that she couldn't just have some water and saltines can self start an IV? Wouldn't that take some some previous practice and who does that?

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Start a self IV when one is not only dehydrated but confused? Really? I had paramedics who couldn't start an IV on me (and they're used to non ideal circumstances) but this nurse who was so exhausted that she couldn't just have some water and saltines can self start an IV? Wouldn't that take some some previous practice and who does that?

Then again, I would have to be pretty confused to purposely jam an IV needle/catheter into my own arm.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

Out of curiosity, who was monitoring your patients while you were hanging out with an IV? Or were you dragging it around with you while checking on patients....?

Nurse dragging an IV while checking in on patients? and I'm sorry but this whole post sounds ludacris and just too funny to be true. There's so many people coming on here and this is her first post "I got caught shooting up myself with saline...help me"? really? I know many nurses who if they got a issue would simply ask a PA or MD on the floor to check em out..you in a hospital for crying out loud. How does someone with flat dehydrated vein do a self stick IV anyways? Why not just drink some water?...this is just too funny! If this is true review your nurse practice act...and yeah get a good lawyer.

[jrost80RNBSN]

There is no way any nurse would have the balls (or time) to do this!!! This post simply can't be real!!!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Honestly, this whole thread is so "Nurse Jackie", right?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Well, since the OP seems to have left the building, doesn't look like we'll ever know!

Hmmm, I have some time to kill, and am feeling a little dry.....time for my post-lunch 0.9%NaCl IV! MMMmmmm :)