Has anyone been referred for mental health?

Nurses Recovery

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I recently attempted suicide at work. I used waste meds and was found in the bathroom. Everyone believed I was getting high, which I did not dispute because I was worried they would place me under a psych hold. I did consent to blood and urine drug screen (was told if I didn't, I would be sedated), and the blood screen will be positive. 

I have been referred to our board of nursing. I am 100% guilty, but I did not know if I should disclose that I do not have a substance use disorder. I am in therapy, and have an amazing support system, so I am handling this surprisingly well. 

I just don't know if I should disclose that it was a suicide attempt. I have not heard from the board yet, and am worried if I am honest that I will be forced into some psychiatric facility (which terrifies me). 

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

A consult with an nurse attorney with experience representing nurses before a board of nursing is in your best interest. Inpatient treatment has saved the lives of many nurses.  Please level with your providers that this was a suicide attempt rather than chronic drug use and follow the treatment recommendations of your healthcare providers to best deal with your mental pain. 

Getting mentally healthy will allow you deal the BON since reported, they most likely request psych eval clearance and want to place license on suspension.   A lawyer will need proof of your efforts to stabilize mental health so they can intervene with the board on your behalf allowing you to resume a nursing career.

988 is the new Suicide & Crisis Lifeline --add to your cellphone. Best wishes during this trying time. 

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NRSKarenRN said:

A consult with an nurse attorney with experience representing nurses before a board of nursing is in your best interest. Inpatient treatment has saved the lives of many nurses.  Please level with your providers that this was a suicide attempt rather than chronic drug use and follow the treatment recommendations of your healthcare providers to best deal with your mental pain. 

Getting mentally healthy will allow you deal the BON since reported, they most likely request psych eval clearance and want to place license on suspension.   A lawyer will need proof of your efforts to stabilize mental health so they can intervene with the board on your behalf allowing you to resume a nursing career.

988 is the new Suicide & Crisis Lifeline --add to your cellphone. Best wishes during this trying time. 

Thank you! I contacted a nurse attorney to explore my options here. I don't think the BON will suspend my license because the AtD program here includes mental illness.  This is just my guess based on the program brochure though. 

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
Sam_0896 said:

I recently attempted suicide at work. I used waste meds and was found in the bathroom. Everyone believed I was getting high, which I did not dispute because I was worried they would place me under a psych hold. I did consent to blood and urine drug screen (was told if I didn't, I would be sedated), and the blood screen will be positive. 

I have been referred to our board of nursing. I am 100% guilty, but I did not know if I should disclose that I do not have a substance use disorder. I am in therapy, and have an amazing support system, so I am handling this surprisingly well. 

I just don't know if I should disclose that it was a suicide attempt. I have not heard from the board yet, and am worried if I am honest that I will be forced into some psychiatric facility (which terrifies me). 

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Wow, where do you live that they could sedate you for a urine and drug screen?

Glad you consulted a nurse attorney. Always tell your lawyer everything. Best wishes with your mental health recovery. 

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FolksBtrippin said:

Wow, where do you live that they could sedate you for a urine and drug screen?

Glad you consulted a nurse attorney. Always tell your lawyer everything. Best wishes with your mental health recovery. 

They couldn't but at the time I was very afraid that they might. I mean I loved my hospital but I have witnessed security body slam a patient before. So I didn't put anything past them. 

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
Sam_0896 said:

They couldn't but at the time I was very afraid that they might. I mean I loved my hospital but I have witnessed security body slam a patient before. So I didn't put anything past them. 

If they told you they would sedate you if you didn't "consent" that is not actual consent. That is coercion and assault. 

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FolksBtrippin said:

If they told you they would sedate you if you didn't "consent" that is not actual consent. That is coercion and assault. 

Yeah I know but what am I gonna do? The thing is I know what it's like from the other side, and that people who suffer from addiction are often in denial. On top of that, working in the ER you get all walks of life and the staff is a bit more ......... tough than on the floors. So, I did what I had to do and just wanted to go home. They were refusing to discharge me despite the fact that I was sober (I think I took propofol so it wasn't anything that left me dazed for long). I just felt really ashamed and embarrassed and wanted to get out of there. 

I'd feel indignant if I wasn't guilty of what they accused me of. Granted I was never impaired while caring for patients (this occurred two hours after I finished work), I was definitely guilty of being impaired period. I try not to be too attached to notions of fairness or justice because I am frankly grateful that I lived and that I won't lose my license outright. Even if the next few years suck, at least I'm alive to experience it you know? glass half full and all that

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DO NOT DISCLOSE TO THE BON!! Whatever is going on, they are NOT there to help you! I had the same thing happen to me. I was drug tested and it was negative, But I ended up with my nursing license suspended indefinitely.

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Stacey Chism said:

DO NOT DISCLOSE TO THE BON!! Whatever is going on, they are NOT there to help you! I had the same thing happen to me. I was drug tested and it was negative, But I ended up with my nursing license suspended indefinitely.

Wow so sorry that happened to you. did your state have an alternative to discipline program? My states' program is for SUD and mental health, so I assume that depression would not lead me to lose my license. Even in my case, it didn't occur during my shift so I was fine while caring for my patients.

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I had psychosis and it was my second day of "orientation", the nurse called in and I was the nurse. Everyone new I wasn't fine, yet they handed the keys to me. After I off, I attempted suicide, at my home. I had, had my second baby, so it was weird. I could not work or do anything, I was in psych hold for about three weeks. I was 24, I thought the BON would help me, they did anything but....

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Most monitoring agencies also have a program to monitor and help you for your mental illness.   Peth tests are then given to make sure you are taking your antidepressants, etc.   
 
But considering BON and other healthcare monitoring agencies and their goals, it's probably easier to not disclose mental health if you can help it.  Then you can just be monitored for the substance abuse part vs BOTH.  
 

it's sad but that's how it works in this industry 

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Stacey Chism said:

I thought the BON would help me, they did anything but....

Really? we were taught that BON is not our friend, and is there to protect the public from nurses. So I have no preconceived notions here that I am going to be treated with kindness. What happened to you?

Universe93B said:

Most monitoring agencies also have a program to monitor and help you for your mental illness.   Peth tests are then given to make sure you are taking your antidepressants, etc.   
 
But considering BON and other healthcare monitoring agencies and their goals, it's probably easier to not disclose mental health if you can help it.  Then you can just be monitored for the substance abuse part vs BOTH.  
 

it's sad but that's how it works in this industry 

Why is it easier to not disclose mental illness? I am kind of worried now that I have read these posts

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