disciplinary nightmare

Sheri257 · Dec 10, 2003

Originally posted by rosieposie
I have hired an RN atty (which is so costly) and she really hasnt said much (nervewracking).

Why hasn't your attorney said much?

If you're not comfortable with your attorney, and it's not too late, maybe you should consider getting a new one?

IamRN · Dec 10, 2003

I am so sorry you are going through this.

mattsmom81 · Dec 10, 2003

and mistakes happen. Take responsibility, learn from it, and try to forgive yourself.

I hope things turn out OK for you with this.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2003

Life can be full of tough lessons. I know and relate. Wishing you the best.

Gldngrl · Dec 11, 2003

Off topic: To clarify, JD graduates take the bar exam, not boards:)

MMB

fab4fan · Dec 11, 2003

BarbPick: You're exactly right...never volunteer any extra info to a prosecuting lawyer.

To the OP: For the life of me, I cannot figure out how this wasn't taught to you in school. Your faculty should be horsewhipped if they didn't tell you. Sorry to say this, but I'm way over in the non-believer column on this one. Why on earth take boards if you graduate as an "RN"?

Good luck to you, and as someone else advised, BE VERY HUMBLE AND CONTRITE.

mattsmom81 · Dec 11, 2003

Well, this is a pretty big mistake and I have some trouble believing you did not know what you were doing was wrong....schools cover this legality quite clearly. The law itself states ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Impersonating a licensed nurse is a big no no today as well it should be. If you are willing to accept responsibility perhaps the BON will give you another chance. Good luck to you.

Live and learn.

sharann, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2003

A mistake is a mistake. It didn't involve harming a patient, it didn't involve stealing drugs...it did misrespresent you, even if it was unwittingly. Go to the board, say you didn't realize, say you are so sorry, and tell them how much nursing means to you. The other thread here had some good advice from CCURN I believe.

Hang in there. PAnicking won't help you!

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 11, 2003

whole situation reeks. wish you luck; sounds as if you will need it. you got good advice here. hopefully things work out.

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Dec 11, 2003

The physician's office where you worked should have requested a copy of your right to practice reference prior to your taking the NCLEX. I don't understand why they didn't do that, unless where you live doesn't require that. It is required where I live.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Dec 11, 2003

Rosie -- Couple of things. As mentioned, your attorney at this point should be the one advising you and keeping you updated. Understand that he / she may be developing the case stategy at this time and may not have gotten back to you on the research and the best position to take.

Gotta agree with the pack that the error isn't a real common one, as nearly all schools do a decent job in clarifying nurses' titles and roles, and the risks of holding ourselves out as something other than what we are.

Best tack may be to point out that while your documentation was inadvertently erroneous -- and you need to be prepared to fully explain how that happened -- the result of what you did was basically harmless, and strictly a paper thing. You did nothing nursing care-wise, beyond your true authority and you never characterized yourself to any patient as a RN. As much detail as you can provide is the way to go here.

Then you need to assure the Board that you are now fully aware of the potential implications of what you did, and furnish your personal guarantee that this or anything like this could never happen again. You need to be fully open. Silence, or craftily worded legally posturing, or any hint of your holding back will be fatal to your success. Your attorney is probably on-board with this.

Lastly, I'd get into the true motivation of the original complaint by your former employer.

Good luck!

rosieposie · Dec 11, 2003

1 st Thanks to everyone for your answers, help & support......

I honestly made a mistake. It wasnt to gain anything...My job was not in jeopardy, it was nothing like that.....I didnt impersonate myself to pt's that way. I was really misunderstood. m really not trying to make an excuse but I had had My daughter 1/2 through the final semister. she was born inoctober , In which I had had a terrible birth & emerg C-section....maybe my head was in the clouds after having her...I dont know I wish I could have realized, but unfortunaltely I didnt.

I worked the same as the medical assts in that job. There was 2 other nurses there , that were lic'd & they started IV's & did pacemaked checks & asst'd with the codes...I neverr did any of that. How it was signed was like this " s/w with Charlie Brown...labs reviewd) rosie posie rn....Also afetr the md had reviewed it & made his comments on the lab sheet. Also the medical assts made the same & more money than I did. This ex-employer is just retailating against me. I month after I filed papers to the labor board....they file against me? which not to mention ws 4 months after I had quit....this ex-employer, (its really the office manager)....is a liar & is very very deceptive. Just for laughs to let you all know....Right now they are being audited by medicare for he 3 rd time for improper billing. He's facing loosing his lic to practice with mediacre pt's for 2 years......Im just trying to give you a picture about them....