Caught diverting methadone.

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I'm an LPN at a methadone clinic and was recently caught diverting methadone from a hidden stash of extra medication that was kept from being over. The nurses kept the stash for that just in case moment when we run low on inventory. The stash was hidden and our supervisor was unaware of it. A few days ago I had a weak moment and took the medication out of the pharmacy. The other nurse went to grab from the inventory and realized it was gone. She asked me but of course initially I denied it because I was ashamed and embarrassed. Well needless to say we all had to submit a drug test and I eventually admitted to diverting it. My supervisor has told me to go in next week and work triage until final determination is made but that I'm going to be losing my job and reported. Ok am seeking advice of other nurses who have been through tbis and if I can avoid going to jail if I self report and agree to entering a rehab program. I know what I did was wrong and inexcusable however i feel I deserve a chance to fight and get help. Please anyone with advice on this. I am so scared of what is ahead of me. 😢

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Self reporting is the best thing you can do. Once you start your contract you will agree to stop working as a Nurse until they approve you to work again. Here in Oklahoma it was about 3 months before I was working again, you had to pass 4 drug screens and some other stuff. If they never said anything about pressing charges then they probably won't, but I would ask them to be sure.

You'll be able to save your license in whatever program you're in. I was in your shoes a year ago and can say the program is annoying at best but completely doable. You get used to all the dumb **** you gotta do. Anyways, ask any questions youd like. Good luck

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It depends on your state. Here in Illinois when you self report you can wait over a year to be called for the hearing and all the while still work anywhere you want. In IL most of the contracts do allow you to work as a nurse but some have restrictions as far as working with meds. Some don't though. I don't have any restrictions besides having to be on vivitrol (like IM naltrexone). I would get a lawyer for nurses now and ask about the specifics for your state. Self reporting is almost always advised.

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One more thing... I know here in Illinois you must self report before being reported (even if it's an hour before) in order to get a deal, so I would hurry up and ask a lawyer about self reporting as fast as possible.

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Sorry you are going through this. What state are you in?

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In in Florida

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Ok. I appreciate your advice. I'm in Florida. I'm not entirely sure of the laws are regarding this situation. I'm so worried.

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I spoke to my supervisor and she said she knows for sure I will be losing my job but she isn't sure if legal charges will be pressed. I'm so angry at myself for getting into tbis situation. I am so worried.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I spoke to my supervisor and she said she knows for sure I will be losing my job but she isn't sure if legal charges will be pressed. I'm so angry at myself for getting into tbis situation. I am so worried.

Well, what's done is done. Now you need to work on the immediate concern...you.

One instance of diverting methadone does not necessarily an addict make. Only you can determine if you have a substance abuse problem. If you do, then you need to make addressing that your priority because until you have a handle on your recovery, nothing else will work. Talk to your PCP/psychiatrist, get into a rehab program, start attending meetings...whatever you need to do to stay clean.

If you are not an addict but this was a diversion for someone else or to sell, or even worse, a stupid "I'm not an addict, I just want to see what taking methadone feels like" experiment on your part, that was the most foolish thing you could have done. Because now you will be considered as having a substance abuse problem by BONs and employers, even if you've never done anything stronger in your life than tea and aspirin. And you're also going to be under the microscope for theft, so these employers aren't going to see you as trustworthy either.

Second, lawyer up. No, the lawyer isn't going to get you out of this scot-free, but having one in your corner can help mitigate the damage this will do to your career. And that lawyer will make sure you are getting a fair deal with the FL BON. It is not uncommon for nurses to be so eager to save their licenses that they jump at the first thing the BON offers, then read the small print and find out they can't/aren't able/aren't willing to do it.

As far as your job...you know you're getting fired. Nothing to save there. As far as legal charges...that's also something we can't predict. Depends on how the District Attorney is feeling when they look at your case, that is, if it was reported to them in the first place. You may face charges, you may not. All you can do is wait...and should you end up facing them, again: lawyer up.

And IMO, be glad you're out of there. Because it seems rather odd to me that staff is keeping a stash of Schedule II meds, meds that are tightly regulated and every single dose to be accounted for...and yet your supervisor knows nothing of this? It makes me wonder how the staff built up such a secret stash in the first place. THAT action might get your facility in trouble on its own.

Last, this is not an insurmountable roadblock. While nothing is guaranteed, you can get past this and resume a nursing career. It may not happen fast, it may not happen easily, and it may require you to take alternate paths into specialties/jobs that you had not considered. The Nurses/Recovery and Criminal Licensure forums have a lot of success stories. So take heart.

Best of luck

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Take a breath. Many of us have been where you are. If you are an addict only you know. Most DAs aren't interested in nurses diverting. You have no control of that anyway. Take care of yourself.

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Seek advice from a lawyer who is familiar with nursing licensing issues, you can find one through the American Association of Nurse Attorneys (taana.org). Your lawyer will advise you not to discuss details of the matter in public.

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Ok thank you so much.

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