RN on probation trying to find a job

Nurses General Nursing

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I've been an Rn for 16 years, an lvn for 7 years, and a Cna for 9 years. Needless to say- I've dedicated my entire life to my career. Now, at 48, I find myself on probation in ca for improperly documenting a morphine waste back in 2013. It took 3 years to investigate as I was a travel ER Rn on assignment . The hospital reported me to BRN before obtaining a drug screen in which was found to be negative . Now I can't find work anywhere with the restrictions that have been placed on my license .I

I am a 48 year old RN and was placed on probation in July 2017 for 3 years after failing to document morphine properly as a travel ER Rn . I am being rejected by nursing homes, can't work for agencies per probation restrictions , can't leave California but no one will hire me. I am a Christian woman and believe in the power of prayers, trusting God, and his plan for me. However, I'm so close to despair as my life WAS my career and now it's gone for the moment. I don't know where to turn for support. I have been a RN for 16 years, lvn 7 and Cna 9 years. I don't know where to even start in getting employed. I've applied for so many places only to find they can't accom my restrictions. I refuse to get depressed and go into despair . Any advise? The morphine order in ER over 3 weeks was to administer 5 mg and repeat in 15 min. The morphine only came in 10 mg vials so I pulled the entire 10 mg and administered 5 mg as ordered and repeated 5 mg in 15 min as ordered. I was suppose to ask the Pyxis for 5 mg, waste 5 mg, and then administer . After 15 min, go back to Pyxis, pull out another 5 mg and waste another 5 mg. So they were not able to charge the patient and were unable to account for a total of 26 mg of morphine over a 3 week time span. They said nothing to me until I showed up for my 2p-2a Er shift and escorted me to HR and asked me to explain 14 charts of unexplained wastes. Then they sent me to occupational health where they drug tested me. They cancelled my contract and reported me to the DEA and BRN . I called my agency where they immediately drug tested me as well and both came back negative for any drugs. Then they said I could have stole the med to sell for profit-- ??? I had to send character letters to the investigation of DCA to defend my intent to sell. I am jobless but have a restricted license to practice . I just need someone to take a chance on me even in QA, case management, UM to fullfill the BRN's 6 mo 24 hr/week mandate or revoke/surrender.

I am not a drug user, drink alcohol, nor have a criminal history. Where do I go from here? Where would you go? I've applied for jobs at Costco , Walmart , Lowe's and was told I was too qualified . The board says I have to work as an RN for 6 mo out of 3 year probation for 24 hrs a week so getting a job outside of nursing is still leaving me out of compliance with my requirements to get my restrictions released 7/20/20 is my release date plus $12,500 in restitution. All of this would not be so hard if I had an employer that could look beyond my probation . I'm considering moving out of town , taking any RN position to meet these requirements. I worked as an Rn supervisor for the state of ca which I had to step down from as of July 20, 2017 due to these restrictions. My restrictions will not allow me to supervise and I must have another Rn present for half of my shift. That costs employers money. That's why they aren't hiring me. When they see my resume they are impressed and want to offer on the spot- until I tell them my restrictions

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Dialysis is often friendlier to those with licensure issues.

3 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

I second dialysis, particularly DaVita. I've known several nurses be hired by them with ongoing issues like you're having. They're your best bet right now. I wish you luck.

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Reading your horrendous post makes me wish I had never become a nurse. This could happen to anyone. Positive thoughts sent your way.

7 Votes

I guess they forgot to worry about falsification of medical records and all those patients who supposedly didn't get their pain medication.

You know what? Some people are evil.

I have zero problem believing your account because it's only been in the last 5+ years that my area has moved to the waste-half-of-every-vial method; up until that point were doing just exactly as you did.

I'm sorry this happened to you.

If you are willing to pay "restitution" for this....you're just a better person than I am.

I don't know where you can get a job but I wish you the best~

5 Votes

I believe your story, did you hire a lawyer to help you when it went to the board. Years ago I would have handled the narcotic the same way but times have changed especially with Pyxis systems. I wish you well and hope you find a job.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

I think there is more to this story. A pharmacy audit would have revealed that you removed 10mg of morphine and documented a total administration of 10mg. There would be no drug unaccounted for. This sort of thing occurs routinely at my facility as long as the documentation matches the removal amount, there is no issue.

Sonyarn88, if this is a true account of what happened to you, I strongly suggest a lawyer experienced in nursing practice issues who can represent you to the BON and pursue removal of these restrictions.

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^ I know of a system where it was announced (with a somewhat adamant vigor) that henceforth such actions will be deemed to be a medication error, and in the same sentence it was declared that people would be reported for diversion if they failed to switch to the new waste-half-of-everything routine.

So, I wouldn't be confident in saying there's more to the story just because records could prove one didn't actually divert anything. A nurse of 23 years knows very well what a pharmacy audit would show, so I don't think you've exactly caught someone in the worlds dumbest lie ever.

Deem it an "error..."

....which involves a controlled substance

....so now it's "mishandling of a controlled substance"

....might as well call it diversion.

It works like this: It doesn't matter whether you save the remainder of the dose in your pocket or keep it labeled in a locked drawer, one way or another you didn't do what you were supposed to do with it (which was waste it immediately), so you have "diverted" it.

We can be sanctimonious or we can be warned. After hearing about the experience in my first sentence I advise being warned, but it's up to you.

1 Votes
Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.
^ I know of a system where it was announced (with a somewhat adamant vigor) that henceforth such actions will be deemed to be a medication error, and in the same sentence it was declared that people would be reported for diversion if they failed to switch to the new waste-half-of-everything routine.

So, I wouldn't be confident in saying there's more to the story just because records could prove one didn't actually divert anything. A nurse of 23 years knows very well what a pharmacy audit would show, so I don't think you've exactly caught someone in the worlds dumbest lie ever.

Deem it an "error..."

....which involves a controlled substance

....so now it's "mishandling of a controlled substance"

....might as well call it diversion.

It works like this: It doesn't matter whether you save the remainder of the dose in your pocket or keep it labeled in a locked drawer, one way or another you didn't do what you were supposed to do with it (which was waste it immediately), so you have "diverted" it.

We can be sanctimonious or we can be warned. After hearing about the experience in my first sentence I advise being warned, but it's up to you.

A violation of facility policy? Sure. Mishandling controlled substances? Maybe. But being reported to the DEA? Drug tested by both the facility and the travel agency? License restricted by the BRN despite zero drug unaccounted for? Much, much less likely.

It would be one thing if the OP were fired for this, and the situation remained internal. I'd believe that immediately. But this situation was escalated beyond that. So if it's true, as I said in my first post, the OP needs legal representation now, and should have gotten it a long time ago.

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(Edit).

Ok/as you wish.

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Hi SONYARN88,

Desafortunatelly, it is the reality to be in probation, I know is not helping, but as soon you recognize that you made the mistake best in your judgement then you be ok. Read the nurse lawyers so they can help you to find a job until you finished probation. GOOD luck to you.

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My questions are for all nurses in probation. How difficult and strict are the Boards in any state when put nurses on probation. Is any laws that protec the nurses and help them to find a job because any employer reject them as soon they know are on probation. What law review and legislature has been passed to help nurses on probation? that as result of the patient ratio overload or for minimal mistakes. The board put them on probation. Anyone of you can help each other to be supported, but not only that any information or thought about how can help all the nurses on probation to be strong and have faith to help each other. the nurses are being like any other person who never did changes for society. The board is a nurse enemy who sees nurses as a threat to society and one they are on probation is what they are seen no matter what changes made in the community.

1 Votes
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