friend fired after self reporting

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 31, 2008

Hard to say, she would probably need to speak to the nurse manager to see what is going to happen. She may benefit from contacting the BON herself

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 31, 2008

If it were me, I would get a lawyer before doing anything. These are legal questions and your friend needs legal advice.

Also, those of you who signed that you "witnessed" her drug wasting without having actually witnessed it might also want to talk with a lawyer. I would.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2008

Wow, sorry to hear about that! It's discouraging. Good luck to your friend.

pollyanna83 · Dec 31, 2008

Good news!!! My friend just called and was hired to do assessments for a rehab center. No meds to administer, that's all done by techs. She was honest and they hired her without contacting her previous employer. She is so excited that she works days, is working with her strength which is geriatric rehab and assessment and being paid more than her previous employer but she is concerned that the other shoe will fall at some point. She is hoping that by doing the things the BON will require (day hours, drug testing, no contact with meds, 40 hours per week or less) that she will be ahead of the game when (and if) they ever contact her. In addition she is attending meetings, seeing her psych. regularly and trying to keep her weight up and her mental and physical health where it needs to be. She is preparing a written statement acknowledging EVERYTHING she did along with any mitigating factors. She is not angry at her employer for taking the action they did but she will tell the truth about the staffs failure to follow protocal should she be asked, so they will have to answer for that. I did pass your info on to her and she is preparing for any future repercussions. I am an old recovering alcoholic (29 years sober) and I would hate to see a beautiful, talented, nurse go down in flames. Thank you all for being so honest with your stories.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2009

What state are you in? Just curious, because each state the BON is different regarding self reporting. She should be thanking her lucky stars that things are going this good for her! I am thinking that if she stays on top of her sobriety , goes to counseling, and frequent drug testing.. also if she goes to aa or na, keep a log! If she does all of this, when she does report to the BON, if that is what she is going to do, then they will be impressed with her proof of recovery. She is doing the right thing, and she needs a friend like you to be there for her, she is very lucky!

HM2VikingRN, RN · Jan 4, 2009

Did she report herself to the impaired provider program in your state? In MN impaired workers are encouraged to self refer. Since she went to treatment on a voluntary basis she should be shielded from adverse action. Arguably she self referred by reporting to her manager. She needs a lawyer but she should also contact the impired provider program in your state.

The Health Professionals Services Program:A Unique alternative for meeting reporting obligations Created in 1994 as an alternative to board discipline, the State of Minnesota's Health Professionals Services Program (HPSP) offers a proactive way to fulfill reporting requirements and get confidential help for illnesses. By law, health practitioners and employers can report a potential impairment to a licensing board OR to HPSP. "Most choose HPSP," according to Monica Feider, program manager, "because HPSP is supportive and non-disciplinary."HPSP monitors health professionals who have an illness that may impair their ability to do their job. Illnesses may include chemical dependence, physical problems or mental health issues.Many people are unclear about their reporting obligations and feel uneasy about reporting themselves, a colleague, or an employee to HPSP. Getting involved in the personal issues of another professional is a difficult decision. Yet, there is the ethical duty to protect patients from potential harm. All referrals made to HPSP are regarded as privileged data and kept confidential.

at http://www.hpsp.state.mn.us/Program%20_Overview.htm

pollyanna83 · Jan 4, 2009

She is afraid to report herself because she feels she got burned by reporting herself to her nurse manager after she was already clean and in recovery. She is even afraid to call her nurse manager to find out if they reported to the BON. She said they seemed more concerned with protecting themselves considering all the implications. She is prepared, should the BON contact her, to do whatever they require, i.e. peer assesment, diversion, she just does not want her license suspended or revoked.

Anyone here have any personal experience with a short foray (2 months)of madness rather than the long decline most of us experience and how the BON in your state would view that from a 1st time offender with no evidence other than her own confession. Her psych says she will get a slap on the wrist but I'm not so sure. She says she is perfectly willing to do what it takes to stay clean even if she has to leave nursing. I think that would be a tragic loss considering her abilities.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2009

Well, to be honest with you, at this point, if she self reports, it will look much much better for her than if her employer reported her. However, if she self reports and her employer turns around and reports her, then she will automatically be a third party referal.

I know, it sounds trivial.

It all comes down to the fact that she is recovering, right? IF she self reports to the BON, she will basically be guaranteeing herself a safe and effective recovery(or else losing her license). Now, at this point, her recovery is on her own. How strong is she? Can she do it on her own without oversight from the BON? I know she has done it thus far, but what about two months into the future? That is what she needs to ask herself.

If she is dead serious about this recovery, she will self report to the BON. She needs to get a little courage, for the sake of her recovery and deal with this head on. Also, if she self reports and goes into the states peer assistance program, she might be immune to charges that could be filed by the former employer (in my state she would). If she waits until the charges are filed, it's too late.

Jolie, BSN · Jan 4, 2009

She is afraid to report herself because she feels she got burned by reporting herself to her nurse manager after she was already clean and in recovery. She is even afraid to call her nurse manager to find out if they reported to the BON.

It seems like the cat is out of the bag on this one.

I don't mean to be catty, I am genuinely curious...why did she self-report to her DON given that she was clean and in recovery if she was unwilling to make her status known to the BON? In order to protect herself and the facility legally, her DON has no choice but to call the BON.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2009

What prompted her to "come clean" after she was clean?

Some things are not meant to be shared with employers.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2009

She is not angry at her employer for taking the action they did but she will tell the truth about the staffs failure to follow protocal should she be asked, so they will have to answer for that.

I would also hate to see other nurses possibly lose their jobs because your friend got fired and apparently, wants to take others down with her.

Granted, the nurses that signed off should have physically witnessed the waste...but it's like she is blaming them for her ability to divert the meds.

SHE made the choice to take the meds. SHE put herself in an addiction situation. SHE had the rapport with other nurses and they trusted her rapport. SHE made the decision to go to her superiors...when there wasn't a real reason for her to in the first place....I have no idea of what she felt she was going to accomplish by doing that.

Now SHE wants to include the names of everyone that signed behind her and put them at risk for HER choices?

She doesn't sound like she is recovered to me...she's still playing the blame game.