Mistakes

[locust66]

I have just made a terrible mistake in my profesional carreer. I tried to cover up a mistake that I made earlier in the shift by throwing two narcotic pills into the sharps container. I then proceeded to lie for several days about the descrepency that I created in the omnicell. I finnally broke down to the pharmacist and my supervisor and told the truth about what had actually happened, the pills were recovered from the sharps container and no one was hurt. They asked for me to resign. I recieved a call from the NSO of the hospital that a complaint will be filed for diversion and fraudulent charting to the BON. I will probally lose my license now for a terrible decision that I will never forget. I am writing this thread for advice but mostly to let others know that you make mistakes but dont try to cover them up. I will now lose my license and I am not sure what I am going to do now.

[mamamerlee, LPN]

There are lawyers, frequently nurse-attorneys, who specialize in cases that go before the BON. They know what is appropriate, and can help you protect your license. This really does not seem like an offense that should strip you of your right to practice.

The meds were retreived, you did not divert them for yourself or for sale. You are, presumably, clean. Seems like you made a weird error about discarding them, and then you began to panic.

Take care of yourself. Talk to a lawyer!

[leslie :-D]

truthfully, i am not thoroughly convinced the op is being totally straight with us, but i suppose that's her call to make as well.

either way though, i would still consult with a lawyer and BE TOTALLY TRUTHFUL WITH HIM/HER.

if you want to continue w/your nsg license, then legal representation is the only way to go. (specifically, a nurse atty.)

if you hear from the BON, then you will eventually have the right to present your side of the story.

again, be totally truthful.

the first step is to be brutally honest with yourself.

and then the real healing can begin.

i truly do wish you the best.

leslie

[coolpeach]

I agree with the atty. Its the difference between being punished, and being thrown under a bus. If you stole a candy bar you would expect to be punished, but not expect the electric chair...the atty will keep it fair.

I am still confused on why you threw the narcs in the sharps container. What happened? Where did this mistake start?

[Mulan]

My evil twin says that there is more to this story. What was the fraudulent charting? Did you chart that you gave them to a patient and then threw them away?

Whatever the story, get a lawyer to represent you.

Good luck.

[kae2010]

Like everyone else has said the lawyer isn't about fighting, the lawyer is there to help you deal with the BON. In my school we had to take a class called "Legal Aspects of Nursing" and it was taught by a nurse/lawyer who only practiced in nursing/malpractice cases. If there is one thing she taught us it was to ALWAYS have a lawyer with you when dealing with the BON. The BON is going to come at you with all kinds of judgements and possible punishments, and the lawyer will help you understand this and make sure the punishment is fair.

I wish you luck thru this difficult time.

[locust66]

Does anyone know if the BON suspends your license while an investigation or hearing is pending.

[lkwashington]

It depends on the situation. What is your situation?

[I see you RN]

In general they do not, but it depends on the severity of the charges.

[locust66]

I tried to cover up a mistake (terrible decision) but my complaint will be diverting narcotics, which were recovered. I did not take them or sell them and DHEC is not involved and fraudulent charting because I charted that I gave the meds, which I underdosed the pt. No one was hurt and the narcotics were recovered. I made the worst mistake and I will pay for it. I admit that I was wrong and there should be some sort of punishment.

[lkwashington]

You may not lose your licensing during the investigation. But you probably will not be able to practice unitil the verdict. It may be revoked and/or suspended. You may have to go to rehab of some kind. You may only can practice in the state you received your license. It could be a number of things. You may want to review you state board of nursing website to view similiar cases. Then you can get a idea what your punishment may be. Good luck. Keep us posted.

[scoochy]

Have you posted your thread in the Nurses and Recovery Forum?