friend fired after self reporting

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2009

Can't they figure out who signed behind her without her saying?

pollyanna83 · Jan 4, 2009

She would never tell who signed. That is an erroneous assumption. Yes, they will be able tell without her saying and that's not something she can do anything about. She just revealed her issues and walked away. The DON and NM were the ones concerned about who signed and did they watch for waste. She didn't have to say anything but was told by her counselor and treatment facility that the premise of NA/AA is to come clean. She is actually concerned that the hospital won't tell the BON because so many people could be involved. She can only answer the questions asked truthfully without giving specific names. The dates and times she diverted will do all the telling. She is not blaming anyone but herself for her own acts. We all must be aware though that failure to follow protocal can get us in trouble even when we are acting out of good faith. I just pray that she continues to have a successful recovery. That should be everyone here's goal.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2009

I think a few posters were correct in saying that she needs to report to the BON. I know that I already replied, and at this point she does have the option of reporting or not, but if she's "coming clean" then she needs to come clean to the BON before someone else comes clean for her. It will look better on her behalf if she does report herself. That is the only true way she will recover to the BON's standards. She might live with the paranoia, guilt and fear of being reported to the BON for the next several years if she doesn't do it now.

pollyanna83 · Jan 5, 2009

I think your correct also E.Tx. nurse and that is what I would do just because it would finally be finished but she is worried about her friends and the hospital and her nurse manager. She is concerned that her actions will reflect poorly on them and while it may be a mess to clean up internally it could get really messy if everyone were involved. She feels that the hospitals attitude at this point is "We really don't have any evidence other than her own words so what is there to report after the fact." I hear you that the fear would be the worst, :confused: at least for me.

pollyanna83 · Jan 27, 2009

Just an update. My friend was reported by a 3rd party that wasn't present and made a false claim based upon what she overheard from someone days later. At my friends initial interview with the BON investigator she told them EVERYTHING!!! She was told to write her rebuttal and submit, with all data. She contacted her employer for all personnel information including the written statement she made to them. They have refused to cooperate in any way. They have closed ranks and even though she has taken responsibility they say that the person that made the complaint (not a nurse) is on leave, on vacation, in a meeting. She then contacted the NM and explained that if the hospital would not cooperate by giving the BON copies of all records she would be forced to list all personnel involved so that they could be interviewed. The hospital is circling the wagons because they did not intend the situation to be reported and they in fact did not report. They will not give the BON the drug screens (all negative). They will not give the BON a copy of her voluntary statement given when she told her NM she had gone to treatment. They will not give the security report. If fact they said they refuse to even speak to my friend or the BON investigator. Anyone ever heard of this? She was told it might take a year to sort out by the BON and there is no discipline reported at this time by the BON but she knows it is coming and is prepared and 2 months clean. YEAH!!!!!!

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2009

First of all, congratulate her for her two months clean!

Secondly, the BON can make the hospital comply, if they want to and they WILL just to straighten out this mess. SO, tell your friend not to worry about that. The BON will not just take someone's word for it without investigating the matter FULLY. If the accused says there were negative drug screens, they will force the hospital to show the drug screens they performed on her. Those investigators have authority to ORDER that the information be sent to them.

pollyanna83 · Feb 17, 2009

Just to update. So far so good. My friend has submitted her reply to BON (8 pages, 2 weeks ago) including 3 negative drug screens. The hospital had no positives to counter and has told the board that they did not make the complaint and do not wish to be involved!!!!! She is forcing the hospitals hand on the false complaint made by the 3rd party employed there but made a complete confession of the 90 days she diverted waste. She made the statement that regardless of the false allegation she did in fact violate her nursing responsibilities and her own morality was willing to accept any discipline the BON deemed necessary and would do whatever they required to retain her license. Their reply was that it could take a year to make a decision. Seems pointless by then she will have 15 month sobriety but I guess the sins of the past always come back to haunt us all.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 17, 2009

At least your friend is doing the right thing, not her fault the hospital is being a pain. Good luck to her and congrats to her as well

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2009

At least your friend is doing the right thing, not her fault the hospital is being a pain. Good luck to her and congrats to her as well

I agree with this,, she's doing the right thing and potentially saving her own life. Addiction is a progressive disease and ends with death unless it is dealt with.....

Congrats to her !

CheyRN · Feb 18, 2009

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.

I agree, but I have one question. Was this DON one of the folks that co-signed a waste and didn't witness it? If so, I would doubt that she would report, as when the SBON investigates the allegations, she would be standing in front of that fecal air circulating system. Also, most facilities don't want regulatory agencies poking around in the records any more than they have to, so I doubt she will report. If your friend is really worried, have someone contact the SBON and ask how long facilities have to report such problems and if a police report is needed to file these allegations. Just a couple of thoughts:idea:, hope they helped. Please keep us informed.

pollyanna83 · Feb 18, 2009

Yes, to all of the above. She worked every shift with every nurse and NM and they all signed off on waste they did not witness. It was personnel from a completely different area of the hospital that had never met her that overheard a conversation that reported to the BON. The DON and the hospital have NEVER reported. The comment they made the day she "came out" was that they "prefered to keep this in house". I'm not sure but with a self report where there is no physical evidence it would be pretty hard to make a criminal case. I mean what is the DEA gonna say. "Well she said she took the stuff but that's all we have".

When BON makes a decision concerning her disciplne I'll give you guys the skinny so that others in her position will know what to expect after a self-report. I'm just so happy she is clean:yeah:

lolalolacherrycola · Feb 23, 2009

I am happy for your friend and hope she stays clean. I feel bad for her and wish she would have came clean to her Priest, Pastor or anyone other than her hospital manager and the BON. I think they all tend to be punitive rather than helpful. Such a shame that they fired a damn good nurse for being honest.