For my second year of nursing, I was hired to become an Oncology Nurse. It was not my first choice because of the multiple cancer stricken family members I have in my life right now. Eventually, I made peace with it since I needed a job and I thought it was God's way to have me a chance to honor my love ones. I had a great year meeting new co-workers and caring for the patients and meeting their families.
I was not aware of Oncology Nursing's reputation for the highest nacotic meds access and the other reputation of suspected users in Oncology Nursing. I regret to be so limited/hard-headed to only think it as chemotherapy, death & dying.
Now that I am reading allnurses since I had been audited for the lack of documentation for my controlled substance administration, I am shocked to see that the highest suspected narcotic user/diverter is that of: Oncology nurses, that really good nurse, the one with the outgoing personality, and that one that works plenty of shifts, and of course, the one with documentation issues. I am all those!
Because of my strongly moral basis for Oncology, the kind of care I deliver to patients is heart-felt and personal.
Because I come from an artistic background, I tend to be emotional and expressive.
Because I am only a sophomore nurse, I am very optimistic in the wonderful world of nursing the sick.
Because I am a new grad from 2008, I was tangibly affected by the recession that I:
perform with so much enthusiasm against all odds
worked many additional shifts like back-to-back, and extra days. I was positively enforced about this at work as well.
There will be nothing an investigator will find in my background in relation to narcotic diversion or use. It was purely mis-documentation and my self-bought drug test show negative. But I cannot let go of the thoughts that someone out there thinks that I am a possible suspect.
My director is obligated to report my forced resignation to the Board. I hear that there might be times that the director does not do so anymore. Does anybody know what happens if my director truly reports me ?
This is so very upsetting. I was almost suicidal and psychotic the day after I wanted to voluntary admit myself as a 5150; but thanks to family, my faith, and nursing knowledge, I was able to get out of that funk immediately.
I not quite sure what type of response I wish by writing a new thread but I'm just taking advantage of the support this type of community offers.
I am somewhat confused - - are you saying that your forced resignation is due only to poor documentation? Weren't you made aware of the issues with your documentation prior to your resignation?
If you aren't diverting meds then simple documentation issues can usually be resolved.
Please get legal representation - preferably from a nurse-lawyer - to help you through this, as well as
Of course I only know the truth ( that I do not divert )but it's not simple corrections for me because these technicalities Are part of my challenges as a new nurse. Besides, there is nothing for me to correct if my main documentation problem is not scanning it into the electronic MAR ( for system error reasons and of course, the interruptions and distractions ).
Thanks for your reply. I Got my union involved but they weren't successful. Lawyers are not allowed in our work ( or state, not sure ) -- califorinia.
You are ALWAYS allowed a lawyer. I would still consult with an attorney who is specialized in administrative law and who has experience in dealing with board of nursing hearings.
I see a pretty straightforward case of an employee who had received remediation/counseling/discipline related to faulty performance, but was unable to correct the problem, and therefore given a choice to resign or be terminated.
And the particular error - repeatedly failing to document narcotic meds administered - opens the hospital to liability as they do not have sufficient documentation of where those narcotics went. It isn't just nurses that bear responsibility for the accounting of narcotics -- hospitals and pharmacies are also subject to DEA audits, and rightfully so.
OP, whether or not they suspected you were diverting -- I can't say, and it's really not the core issue. The core issue is repeated failure to document narcotic med administration. Your personality, compassion for cancer patients, and all the rest ... that's all superflous fluff.
I think it's important for you to understand that so that you can move on successfully. Good luck to you.
Thanks for your empathy. I hope so too. You remind me to be sure to seek some counseling as this surely can affect my disposition in the job search.
I think it's alright to post something like this since I did not mention any specifics. Alert me if I did. Also, I'm not under investigation if that helps.
if I were, what's the harmful thing in posting ( asking out of pure curiosity ) ? If me or the board or courts use it as evidence, wouldn't is it be considered as inadmissible anyway ? Pls tell me what I'm missing :) thanks for replying however
This post came up first in a rather generic google search:
It's possible that no one involved would be looking for this, but if they were they could use that information to find out more about you and this case. May not be admissible as evidence but it's possible it could come back on you if anyone decided to search allnurses for more background on who you are.....
You will be reported. The board will contact you then have you give your version of what happened. Once they have that they will do a thorough investigation and will even contact former employers. Good luck. It's a tough spot to be in
So. I'm sorry this happened..but. You didn't document correctly from the sounds of it...right? I'm having a hard time with your posts frankly, it feels like you're blaming it on how you "fit the profile"...Im...lost. Sorry tho. :)
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Hi: well,this apparently isn't the culture. There is an ethical line that I was told they consider -- having me test for drugs right away compromises my dignity, and nursing is all about preserving human dignity.
This is wrong. Nursing is all about preserving human dignity for the patients you take care of. It is not about your right to fight for your job, or at the very least what may be attached to your license and compromise your ability to get hired someplace else. I'm in California, too. I do not believe our hands are tied liegally in the way you describe. That's all. Please seek support from your family and trusted friends.
Get yourself an attorney to represent you with the Board! I learned the hardway as a nursing supervisor set me up for her inept problems with nursing.
I learned that I would never go to the Board again without a good attorney. There are great former nurses out there who have become nurses BECAUSE they understand what we go through with nursing. One of the hardest professions out there as far as I am concerned!
Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Critical Care Nursing.
First of all i want to say that i'm sorry that so early in your career you're facing the posibility of no longer being able to do something you've worked so hard for as you come across as a genuinely good, caring nurse who loves her job. I think a lot of the time we see posts of similar situations where the poster's explanation is suspicious and defensive so often we may prematurely decide if the person's guilt. Yes, i can see how many took your post as rambled and elusive, however i think of myself as a nurse who is very passionate about nursing and providing the absolute best care for my patients to the best of my ability, and would also be devastated if told i could no longer do what i loved. Therefore i sympathize with you and are concerned regarding your stated episode of suicidal thoughts and "psychosis". If you would like to talk to someone please message me, i'm always ready to listen if you want someone who can see where you're coming from...
In regards to the situation itself, i understand that you said this was the second occurrence which can of course be grounds for termination depending on policy, the management's personal response, and any other contributing factors... however if their reason was lack of documentation, which i'm assuming it was b/c they didnt personally ask you to be drug tested on the spot at their facility, then why are they planning to report that to the board when their actions suggest they do not believe you diverted meds but were guilty of repeated failure to document narcotic administration. If they DID suspect diversion and intend to report it, i would think they WOULD want to ask you for a drug screen to either support or dispute their beliefs. Also, what aspect of this are you wanting a lawyer for; the termination period? Or in the event they contact the board/prevent them from doing so at all?
They already gave you the chance to fix your documentation problems and you didn't. Sorry you couldn't manage it but really, I am not surprised you didn't get a third chance.
Done
15 Posts