[TD=class: post2, width: 100%, bgcolor: #F4EBE7]I have been a nurse for 20 years and due to much stress at home and more stress working in the Emergency dept, I started taking tramadol for the last year from work. the pharmacy reported me . I did a UA which I am waiting to hear back on. I hadn't taken tramadol for three days so not sure if it will even show on my UA, but they have pharmacy records showing that I signed out tramadol on many occasions without an order. I told them I had given them all to patients and just forgot to get the order, but there's a pattern of this, about 2 to 4 a week for about six months or more. is there any chance I will be able to talk them into NOT reporting me to the board of nursing? I don't even mind getting fired or not being a nurse any longer, but I just don't want to go out with an ugly reputation, after 20 years of being a great nurse. I live in a small community and know many people here. Everybody will be shocked if this comes out. I am so scared!
I'm a little confused on the complaint and being on your license record. What does that mean? Will all places who verify your license through the BON be able to see a complaint, or do you mean change in status as in discipline action? Sorry, just confused.
yes, it will always be shown on my license. Because I was turned into the BON, it will be on that site and nationwide data base as well. I am still waiting to hear the discipline....probably three years monitoring and all that goes along with that I'm assuming.
OMG, I just received a call from a special agent investigating my case! apparently the hospital reported me! I told him to contact my lawyer. I'm so scared!! has this happened to anyone else???
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
I have. You did the right thing. I understand the feelings you are having. Take a deep breath. Any time investigators or similar folks call, always refer to your attorney.
what happened with your situation? did they prosecute you or just drop the charges? the investigator mentioned the hospital's "cost of the medications". will this be forever on my record as well? I've had more than a couple nurse friends who have been in this situation but were never reported to the police!??
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
They prosecuted me, and I did end up with a criminal record that I was able to get successfully expunged years later.
Be very careful when you talk to investigators. Be smart and don't converse with them at this stage of the game, instead refer them to your lawyer. They will say all kinds of things to you, if you react to them that too can and will be used against you. The remark about the hospital cost of medications may have been just that. Don't be rude. Just patiently refer them to your lawyer and do not say anything. Nothing is just innocent chat. They are smart and know how people in your position will react. You feel guilty because of what you did. They have been known to be friendly in the course of their work in an attempt to get as much information out of the person they are investigating as they can. Don't fall for it. And don't take anything they say to heart.
Just do what you need for your recovery. Don't talk to them, don't try to figure out what the next move is. That's what your lawyer is for.
The others that we both know that were in the same position as we are or have been, don't really matter at this point. They didn't really "get away" with anything. What's most important is where you are, right now. I know where you are at, I was once there, saying the same thing and feeling that it was "unfair" that I was getting the book thrown at me while others walked away seemingly scot free. The sooner I got past that thinking, the better off I was. One of the hardest things for addicts is to deal with reality, just as it is, especially when that reality is unpleasant and we are facing consequences that are really hard. But for sustained recovery to happen, we have to deal with life on life's terms, without the crutch of addictive substances or addictive thinking.
Specializes in ED, Trauma, Swat,Critical care, Peds.
The best thing you can do for yourself is seek rehab and let your lawyer handle the legal formalities. It will get a lot worse before it gets better then all of sudden you will be breathing again.
Accidentally hit submit before I was finished [emoji15]...... Second question....... Was the investigator from the attorney generals office or your board of regents (Opd.... Office of professional discipline)......
whodatme
21 Posts
I'm a little confused on the complaint and being on your license record. What does that mean? Will all places who verify your license through the BON be able to see a complaint, or do you mean change in status as in discipline action? Sorry, just confused.