HELP! - board order due to hospital visit?

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Hi, everyone! I have been a nurse for 4 years without any incident. I have a few alcohol related convictions from prior to becoming a nurse, but received my RN license without any stipulations, etc. 2 years ago, my wife called EMS because I had passed out after drinking on our couch and she became worried. I was taken to the ED at the hospital I used to work at and was discharged within hours. One or two staff members recognized me. No one mentioned reporting this to the BON, but has anyone heard of a BON investigation due to being hospitalized on private time, while between jobs for legally (but irresponsibly) imbimbing? I have renewed my license once since, and have heard nothing, but am worried about this catching up to me within a few years. If it were a serious/imminent issue, wouldn't the BON contact me immediately? Any help is greatly appreciated.

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So you weren't employed at the time? I would say the BON has no way of knowing then - unless someone called anonomously and reported you to the BON themselves- did either of those coworkers dislike you? If they didn't report you then the BON has no way of knowing. Its easier said then done- but "ride it out". Just be prepared if they contact you. I would def get a lawyer when and if they contact you. Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

The crappy thing is that nurses can be reported to the BON for alcohol-related incidents (usually it seems to be DUI) that occur while they are not at work. It may be one of those urban legends but there's enough postings on here to make me think really hard about it. I do not suspect in your case that this would occur - but who can say?

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Please seek help though if you see that you can't stop drinking. AA meetings are confidential. AA has helped me alot! Alcoholism is a downward spiral. I thought I had it under control but blacked out one day when I drank whiskey and coke along with taking 2 Norco 10mg tablets. Im thankful I am alive and don't have any health issues! Good luck!

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Oh yeah you can be reported to the BON for any drug or alcohol related incident. I'm in monitoring because of a DUI. Nothing to do with work or treating my patients but here I am serving out the last little bit of my sentence.

Anyway, You can also be placed in monitoring for mere allegations without proof. At least I was actually drunk and actually driving. I knew a Nurse whose soon to be ex-husband reported her to the BON for substance abuse issues. She was called on to provide blood and urine sample and she did so promptly. They came back clean. Guess what? Yep she still wound up in monitoring.

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.

They aren't going to report you for this because you didn't do anything wrong. You're allowed to have too much to drink on your own time and seek treatment for it.

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