Help--my lpn daughter is in trouble

Nurses General Nursing

Published

NY

Hello, My daughter had a nervous breakdown and took a hand full of her perscribed meds. She is currently in the hosp. under going treatment and counciling. She has gotten a letter from the disiplinary board for a hearing, Could she loose her licence for doing this to herself? Please any advice would be greatly apprecieated.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I'm sorry to hear she is going through this.

I had a coworker that attempted suicide and had to be monitored by the state's intervention program for nurses. She attended weekly meetings, received treatment, had to get periodic evaluations but she did not loose her license. She is now no longer monitored.

All the board of nursing wants is for her to be well and be assured she gets the help she needs to care for patients.

Best wishes.

Minpin,

My heart goes out to you and your daughter. I did something very similar a few years ago, (actually on 2 separate occasions) The first time I decided to take all of my xanax at one time (equivalent to about 30 mg!!), then I tried to shoot myself on facility property. Both times I failed (obviously) and was admitted to an in-pt facility for eval. Not once was it suggested that I lose my license, and the first time, they held my job for me! (I worked in a LCF, which was one of my problems!) I am now a well adjusted home health nurse, I don't take anything for depression, I no longer have the ideations, and when I can help somebody get through their "tough times" just by being a shoulder to lean on or a shoulder to cry on, I'm here.

Tell your daughter that you love her, she may not feel like she deserves it right now, but she'll get better with love and therapy. A change of job might be warranted (I took a break by working in a pharmacy, yeah, really!)

HUGS to both of you!

Specializes in Oncology, Cardiology, ER, L/D.

NancyB, how brave of you to share your story with us, thank you.

I hope your words help minpin and I am so glad that you got the help you needed and that you could share with us! Congrats on your recovery.:)

Specializes in ER.

I am not like the other posters, I don't automatically assume that this woman's mother is a saint just because she went to her daughter's home and examined her things while she was ill. Perhaps the invasion of privacy- like opening her mail- had something to do with her frustration, and why she didn't go to mimipin for help in the first place.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Originally posted by canoehead

I am not like the other posters, I don't automatically assume that this woman's mother is a saint just because she went to her daughter's home and examined her things while she was ill. Perhaps the invasion of privacy- like opening her mail- had something to do with her frustration, and why she didn't go to mimipin for help in the first place.

????? I must have mised something. I was assuming the daughter or perhaps husband shared the letter with her, not that she went snooping into her business. What did I miss???

To minpin, even if it was narcotic diversion, she can get into a program that will save her license. It will be a tough road with lots of restrictions and rules to follow, but she if she's willing and can prove herself, she can keep her license, although it may be suspended at first. Most importantly she gets well?

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

This is a link to NY state's Peer Assistance program:

http://www.nysna.org/programs/span/agencies.htm

Contact NYSNA's Statewide Peer Assistance for Nurses at 518.782.9400, ext. 250 or by e-mail.

Hoping that you all receive support and counseling to get you through the days ahead.

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

????? I must have mised something. I was assuming the daughter or perhaps husband shared the letter with her, not that she went snooping into her business. What did I miss???

I guess I missed the snooping reference too 3rdshiftguy!

While snooping is not the best idea, I know of parents and family who have done so to confront their addict loved one; in order to insist they get help. Sometimes we must do what we must do.

In confronting them, one can at least hope the loved one will be forced to look at the problem. This nurse has been reported by her peers, so others think she has a problem as well (not just Mom).

Watching a child self destruct has to be hell and my heart goes out to any parent dealing with that. I hope things work out for the OP and her family.

Specializes in Step down, ICU, ER, PACU, Amb. Surg.
Originally posted by NRSKarenRN

This is a link to NY state's Peer Assistance program:

http://www.nysna.org/programs/span/agencies.htm

Contact NYSNA's Statewide Peer Assistance for Nurses at 518.782.9400, ext. 250 or by e-mail.

Hoping that you all receive support and counseling to get you through the days ahead.

I was just going to say that NYS has a peer assistance program. I am sending my warmest thoughts and prayers your way from on fellow NY nurse and family to another.

I can tell you though, that the license will not be revoked or suspended until a hearing has been held and evidence provided. They may at that time, request that she go through a detox and her license temoprarily suspended and a hearing held after treatment. But it really is based on a case by case situation that decisions are ruled on.

Again, good luck, warm and fuzzy thoughts and know that we are hear for you. (((hugs)))

Best wishes for your daughter's speedy recovery. One of the nurses I worked with (RN) in Ohio just got busted for the second time for stealing narcs. She was busted the first time and given a second chance, so I do not see how your daughter will lose her license. Most important thing for her is to get well.

Also, do you think she might need a career change? Nursing is very stressful and if she struggles with depression the tempation to divert narcs may be strong. She is young and there are many other opportunities out there for her. I am not saying that she shouldn't be a nurse-just that she might want to consider a different career. Good luck to you and your family.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
Originally posted by mattsmom81

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

????? I must have mised something. I was assuming the daughter or perhaps husband shared the letter with her, not that she went snooping into her business. What did I miss???

I guess I missed the snooping reference too 3rdshiftguy!

While snooping is not the best idea, I know of parents and family who have done so to confront their addict loved one; in order to insist they get help. Sometimes we must do what we must do.

In confronting them, one can at least hope the loved one will be forced to look at the problem. This nurse has been reported by her peers, so others think she has a problem as well (not just Mom).

Watching a child self destruct has to be hell and my heart goes out to any parent dealing with that. I hope things work out for the OP and her family.

Makes perfect sense. I guess snooping, knowing they might be angry, but helping them is more important. Tough call.

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