Yesterday I was told by my Facility Administrator (FA) that I have been accused of stealing medications while doing a medication review. A patient dropped off all her meds at the nurses station and it was left there unattended for approximately an hour until I had time to do the review. This was the way we have been trained to do the reviews and its how it is done at all 4 dialysis units I have worked. According to my FA the policy and procedure is that we are supposed to do them chairside with the patient. She apologized to me and said that she didnt know that was the policy. She said she and the district
According to the patient she had 10+ oxycodone and when she got home she had only 2 and the cap was put on upside down. I believe her as she is a pretty sharp old lady and seems honest... but I did not take her meds.
I took a 12 panel urine test today but right now Im stressed out over possibly losing my job, losing respect of my coworkers, and even more importantly losing my liscense.
I guess what Im asking is what do I do? I feel overwhelmed and helpless. How does one prove they did not do something?
Sometimes I wished I never switched from business to nursing.
Get the hair test! If it is clean they have nothing on you other than the word of the patient. I am so sorry, this stress is just.. the absolute worst thing ever.
Yea that's the hard part. Everyone thinks that things go quick because wa all watch to much law and order. These things take months to go no where. As of now you have probably done all you can do. I will repeat speak to a lawyer get advice on how to proceed. As of now your most likely in a holding pattern. At least you can work. I got suspended and black listed for the duration of my investigation (not diversion) almost lost my house. Took 4 months for them to investigate and decide they didn't have enough evidence to move further.
Look this is a very real threat to your livelihood. A lawyer isn't probably gonna tell you anything new than what you have here. However you should NEVER take advice from strangers on the internet. Also non nurses don't have any concept about how diversion accusations/sanctions can wreck your life. They don't realize that there doesn't have to be evidence of a crime to receive punishment from the BON, or get fires with a do not rehire. They trust the system to work, and it usually does but the system is not built for your benefit, so navigating it correctly is vital to success.
Absolutely. These things do not go quick and non nurse have no idea that no matter how flimsy the case, it can be career wrecking. People have gotten stuck in the power and money sucking vortex of "peer assistance" programs for far far less. Those programs have nothing to do with assistance, I promise you.
The reason you may want a lawyer handy (or at least have consulted with one) is if someone, somewhere tries to tell you that you either have to "self report" to some program" or have to agree to some " evaluation." I can wager everything I've got (which after my state's program has flogged me ain't much, heh.) that you do not want to go there.
My personal advice is to be on the prowl for another position. I am not sure I would want to continue working for an employer that has the temerity to do this when thier own FA does not know the policy and procedure.
Last but not least. Breathe. As Alex has said, you've done what you can do. Lying on the couch, spinning on it will not change. I promise you that.
I would take this time to look for another job. Keep going to work, smiling and following their procedures. If you will pass the hair test, get one, and keep the results for proof.
Definitely speak with an attorney. One well versed in the board and their rules.
Keep your head up. You know you did nothing. I know the stress is killer. But keep being a great nurse for now and breath, breath, breath.
Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.
Why is it the policy to leave any medications unattended at the nursing station.Are you admitting the patient and getting a current medication list? It seems that the medication should stay with the patient then looked at and recorded and immediately given back to the patient and they never leave the patient's site.As a second option they need to be locked up if they are taken from the patient.
I have literally done med checks exactly the way op did. I collect the meds as the clients come in and put them on the desk. I initiated treatment for my pod, assessed everyone, gave all meds, did a water check, and then put out takeoff supplies. After all that then I manage to set down for med checks. Dialysis units are pretty open and generally patents shouldn't be moving unescorted (but of course they do on the way to the bathroom or scale) it would be very hard for a patient to get unsupervised access. I would ask that everyone staff wise on shift be tested. Easy for them to sit at the computer scope the meds and make the grab.
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
Stealing meds and diversion are two different things. Your clean tests will prove you didn't divert. They may still claim you stole the meds.
Are you part of a union? If not, lawyering up as previous posters have suggested is key. If you have not done so, write down every single thing. Also attempt to get in writing what, if anything, the employer is alleging you did. Go about your business and as others have said, look for a new job without telegraphing that to your current employer. You are leaving because of unsafe practices that nobody seems to want to fix.
Your non-nursing family does not understand that the accusation of stealing meds is a very real one and does threaten your livelihood.
I was falsely accused of diverting meds and my employers did not want a drug test. I even offered one and they were not interested. This is quite common evidently. I did get one immediately though. I was put on administrative leave for 3 months (without being told why!) which I was investigated. I did break charting policies and medication administration policies - I admit to that - but never stole even one pill! I ended up resigning. I should have gotten the advice of a lawyer right at the beginning of all this mess. I listened to my Union who were less than useless - but if you have a Union you might put in a call to them. Or call Human Resources. My advice is get legal advice right away as this could affect your license and you need support. Do get a drug test in case it is needed later. Mine was very useful (two were done) and presented to the Board during the investigation. Good luck - try not to worry - I just took deep breaths and tried to think positively.
So on my first day back to work I had a 15 minute call with HR. They actually were very nice and supportive. The next day my Regional Manager came to the facility to say she believes me, and the investigation was concluded and they ruled that the accusation was unfounded.
I want to thank everyone for their advice and their empathy. It really helped me through a stressful time in my life. I truly appreciate you all. I also appreciate all of this is behind me. My future is no longer a question mark.
I'm very glad it was properly investigated and the outcome was as it should have been all along. Hopefully appropriate policy will also be reinforced to prevent something like this from reoccurring.
I do think this is a very frightening example of what can and does happen when facilities do not value thier nurses enough or are too focused on "customer service" as in pleasing the patient even at the expense of everything that nurse has worked for thier entire life. When one is standing on that kind of a cliff every day at work, it's no wonder so many turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
OhioRN1234
202 Posts
Get the hair test! If it is clean they have nothing on you other than the word of the patient. I am so sorry, this stress is just.. the absolute worst thing ever.