Has your Nursing License ever been in Jeopardy?

[Brian]

This months survey question:

Have you ever been put in a situation in which you think your license could be in jeopardy?

[alices]

This months survey question:

Have you ever been put in a situation in which you think your license could be in jeopardy?

I fired our very poor pharmacy for not delivering drugs in a timely manner. To retaliate, they reported to the Board of Nursing that they were delivering the drugs but I was taking them! I was investigated. Luckily the investigators didn't really find it likely that I would have been diverting Doss, KCL, and warfarin. It's funny now, but at the time it was pretty scary.

[mattsmom81]

So sad how our licenses may be in jeopardy due to retaliation for simply trying to meet our duty to our patients...the duty our NPA's charge us with. But this is how things are today. We are so stretched in our jobs it is not hard to twist data to make a nurse appear negligent, nor is it hard to fabricate the same vindictively.

Even if we 'win' our case with the BNE if we are reported for bogus, trumped up reasons, the fact we were reported stays on some records forever in some cases; raising a question in the minds of potential employers forever as well whenever they do certain background check. It is hard to prove what facilities share 'under the table' about a nurse and this goes on in my area within the hospital association.

[gvkk]

It's just too easy for people to write false reports about nurses to the BON. These reports become a living nightmare for the victim.

[exnursie]

You nailed this one on its head!

I have postings elsewhere but I can not resist answering the original survey question.

My license is in jeopardy for carrying out my mandated responsibility to report in good faith to my state BON any and all illegal activities that I witnessed in my place of employment. I reported my Director Of Nurses to the BON for aiding and abetting unlawfull activities. The Bon dismissed my complaints against my Director of Nurses citing unsubstantial evidence. The Bon is now siding with my Director of Nurses who claims that because I named patients in my private and confidential report to the Board I somehow violated my patients trust. I swear that none of my former patients have ever brought charges against me for this or any other reason.

The Bon continues to prosecute me even though the hearing officer told the lawyer for the Bon to dismiss my case because prosecuting me will have chilling effects on nurses to ever report patient abuse, mistreatment or neglect again. For political reasons I suspect the BON will choose to never resolve their case against me. I expect they will leave me dangling for years to come.

Tom,

i looked at your posts that relayed your story.... I do not have a response that is appropriate to post here. I am still shaking me head, and this is several hours after reading about you.

It is ironic that the report form that state provides the person initiaing the complaint clearly asks not once, several times, that the info provided be as specific as possible, and asks for personall info and medical records etc, help facilitate results. Here is the link: http://www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/forms/complaint.pdf

I am saddened that this is occurring, and you are correct in saying that the end results are a strong deterrent for a nurse to look the other way.

I still want to believe that your case is the exception rather than the rule, and that more often then not, the government does not take such blatant and obvious attempts towards the whistle blower.

Thanks for your story, and good luck to you.

[mattsmom81]

I am saddened that this is occurring, and you are correct in saying that the end results are a strong deterrent for a nurse to look the other way.

I still want to believe that your case is the exception rather than the rule, and that more often then not, the government does not take such blatant and obvious attempts towards the whistle blower.

Thanks for your story, and good luck to you.

I am saddened by Tom's story as well, and have seen similar things occur , altho Tom's is worst case scenario. Best wishes Tom.

What happens to the good hearted nurses who take their duty seriously and dare speak up....their fate is is whispered among nurses, gossipped about...and it is amazing how quickly former friends turn on them when they've become an administrative target. I've seen so many good nurses treated this way, it has made me quite cynical.

Sure IS a deterrent...we have to walk a fine line on the job today and if we need a job its human nature to avoid becoming a casualty.

Good luck to you Tom and hope you prevail. I survived one of these onslaughts once with a good nurse attorney in my corner and I hope you do the same. However, we are never the same and our eyes are definitely open afterwards. PM if you ever want to talk.

[gvkk]

From what I can see, the BON sides with those people who are in the most powerful position. Sometimes the person in the most powerful position is corrupt, pure and simple. It works with reporting nurses and it works with nursing reporting those in power.

And my position on working with people, and the narcs...just keep your own trail cleaned up, all your signitures where they are supposed to be and it will be impossible for anything to get blamed on YOU. Writing and counting narcs should be on the top of your list right next to the priority of a CODE and that's on every shift.

And for those of you who the SBON forces to go into confession time every time you apply for a job...just leave the profession, it will be easier for you, much easier. Because the attitudes out there will fry you. And in my 25 years of a nurse, I found out that no matter what they say, there are NO secrets. If your DON knows, the staff knows. Period.

Sorry, this is not meant to be harsh, it's just plain truth though. In 25 years, I've seen it all.

G

[mep715]

I have posted this question before, with very little response, I am a nursing student who has a couple of misdemeanors on my record from back in 1995, I was 19 at the time and now I am approaching 30 years old! The charges where shoplifting and a bounce check, has anyone ever been denyied a lisence because of this!! I am very concerned because I have worked very hard to get where I am and have totally turned my life around! I have to file a declaratory order, but this has my nerves all up on ends.. Any response would be sooo appreciated.. if anyone has any info on the matter, by the way I live in Tx..

thanks

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

I have felt at risk for lawsuit and risk for reporting to the BON many many times. When I speak out I have felt (and have been) at risk for my job as well. It is because of the 'squeeze' between by ethics and mandates of my NPA and the crazy workplace, politics, warm body syndrome, and other 'bottom line' health care tactics.

A nurse here once voiced this and it is so true: It is amazing how being a good nurse and a good employee are so much at odds today.

This has been my situation many times, as well. Being a nurse today, you really are witness to things and involved (whether you want to be or not) is some very unethical goings-on.

[sleepless in norman]

After 17 years as a critical care nurse, TNCC, CCRN, Certified Cadiovascular Nurse, I succombed to Lortab addiction and I still have a hard time believing what happened to me was and still is real, I lost my license, career, respect, ability to find above minimum wage jobs, contact with my children, and worst of all my health, due to not having any health insurance in the time of need. I did the right/honest thing and reported myself, did the rehab thing, sober living thing, dependant nurse peer assistance thing, group thing, NA/AA thing, even got back to open heart recovery at a large metropolitan med center, then the Okalhoma State Board Of Nursing did their thing, they reported me to the Office Of Inspector General, wihtout notifying me, lost my job, fell behind in child support and all other bills, lost everything. Remember keep your past just that, Your Past. Good Luck.

[sleepless in norman]

When you Castout your fellow man, You become an Outcast yourself. God Bless.

[sleepless in norman]

I see alot of you stating addiction is the stealing of narcotics from patients. Not all nurse addicts are guilty of diversion, some came by their addiction honestly, I for one never took drugs from a hospital or patient, my addiction was totally outside of my profession, I too am displeased with the nurse who take drugs from patients/hospitals, but this is a very difficult/stealthy disease, and I forgive those who help themselves and do not destroy their second chance at life. Mine is not to throw stones, I never have. Good Luck.

[kim1234]

Thanks for your support Angelia. It is sad that there are so many perfect judgemental people in this world...just makes you wonder... what skeletons are in their closet? :rotfl:

So True!!!

Kim1234