Help, terminated and need advice

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HELLO TO ALL, AND THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY RESPONSES RECEIVED REGARDING THIS ISSUE!

WAS TERMINATED FROM THE JOB I HAVE HELD FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS FOR "SUSPICION OF NARCOTIC DIVERSION". THEY STATED A PATIENT COMPLAINED THAT SHE WAS NOT GIVEN A MED THAT I DOCUMENTED SHE DID, WHEN SHE HAD FAMILY THERE WHEN THE MEDS WERE ALL GIVEN. THEY HAVE HAD ME BLACKBALLED FOR OVER A YEAR NOW WHEN I ASKED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER UNIT DUE TO EXTREME HARASSMENT FROM MY MANAGER, WHICH I GOT HER TO ADMIT TO ALL ON TAPE.

SO THE DON CALLED ME, AND TOLD ME HER REASONS FOR TERMINATING ME WERE FOR 1.THE PATIENT STATING SHE DIDN'T GET THE MED, 2. A DEMEROL DOSE I FORGOT TO SIGN ON THE MAR, 3.ME GOING TO THE BATHROOM TOO MUCH (THO I HAVE A DOCUMENTED DIAGNOSIS OF IBS, AND 4. MY HANDWRITING GETTING SLOPPY BY THE END OF THE SHIFT. i OFFERED TO TAKE A DRUG TEST, SHE REFUSED SAYING IT WOULD NOT DO ANY GOOD. SHE RECOMMENDED ME TO TURN MY SELF IN TO THE NCBON. I HAVE NEVER HAD A COMPLAINT FILED ON ME MY WHOLE CAREER, MY PATIENTS ADORE ME. AND IN FACT I DO GIVE A LOT OF PAIN AND NAUSEA MEDS BECAUSE MY PATIENTS ASK ME TO DUE TO THE FACT THEY SAY THE NIGHT NURSES WONT COME TO RESPOND TO THE CALL BELLS. I ALSO TAKE THEM TO THE POTTY OR BEDPAN, OR WHATEVER ELSE THE CASE MAY BE AND OFTEN DONT LEAVE MY JOB UNTIL 9PM BECAUSE I STAY SO BUSY TRYING TO MEET MY PTIENTS EVERY NEED,

SO I NEED TO KNOW SHOULD I IN FACT SELF REPORT MY SIDE OF THESE ALLEGATIONS TO THE BON, SHOULD I HIRE A LAWYER, AND IF SO WHO? AND WHAT SHOULD I DO FROM HERE, I AM SO DEPRESSED AND OUTRAGED THAT I AM UTTERLY LOST. THANKS IN ADVANCE

TIFFANY

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

Contact your state board of nursing for a list of lawyers experienced in representing nurses.

Through the retroscope, I would have gone to employee health or the emergency room to insist on a drug test. If you can get one now, get it since this only happened today. Make sure that the test covers demerol. I say this for the other folks reading this post. I know when this scenario is happening to you, it's impossible to bring forth your best intellect. Depending on which state you life in, your DON may be required to report you to the Board. A call from a lawyer ASAP to the person who terminated you might get you a chance to resign with a neutral reference. Deep breaths, stay cool and keep in touch.

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The American Assn of Nurse Attorneys, http://www.taana.org has a referral service.

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They are accusing you of a crime. If they don't have concrete proof, it is slander/ and or libel. Get a lawyer and sue the pants off them! Another reason why nurses should be unionized.

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DO NOT turn yourself in without consulting a lawyer who specializes in representing nurses. The BON will eat you alive. It is administrative law you will have to prove your innocence they assume everyone is guilty. They will let you know if the employer complains. Employers will often tell you its better if you turn yourself in and that is not true.

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Specializes in CRNA, Law, Peer Assistance, EMS.

DO NOT REPORT YOURSELF TO THE BON. Why in the world would you? Since you have done nothing wrong, and since no allegations have been made to the board against you, it would be a horrible idea to call them and "give your side". You then almost guarantee and investigation by the board and believe me they would be investigating YOU, not your employer.

Consulting an attorney is a good idea for two reasons. 1. You can go and have a hair follicle drug test done which will show any drug use for the past 90 days and have it sent to your attorney to keep on file (though you can also go and have the test done on your own..and you should either way). 2. Your attorney can then write your employer a letter warning them you will hold them liable for any statements made to licensing agencies or prospective employers which falsely accuse you of diversion or use of a controlled substance, etc.

Your employer should have required you to take a drug test. They blew it. Your best defense now in case they report you to the board is getting the hair test ASAP. Also write down everything that happened, everything that was said and by whom and when now while it is fresh in your mind.

The BON will not give you a list of attorneys. Call the the american association of nurse attorney's referral hotline at 1-866-807-7133 You must get an attorney who has experience in defending nurses before the BON or you might as well not get one at all. The NCBON is VERY punitive and not to be fooled with or put under their radar if you can avoid it.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS, plasmapheresis.

Get a nasty lawyer, file libel suit aginst the DON, the facility, and the corporate owner. First thing, she should have fired you with NO explanation, case closed. She chose to slander and libel your license, and was too stupid to even demand a drug test prior. You have a clear case, which has NOTHING to do with the BON. That has nothing to do with this case, unless they report you to them, in which case, as you say you are clean, they will not have a case against your license. But pursue damages. (However- the lack of doumentation of a narcotic can warrant a write up, or whatever the poliy states, but in this case the DON followed NO policy of your employer, I am sure she will be canned forthwith for incompetence- not to mention, WHY was that lack of documentation not found on MARCH 3, 4th at the LATEST?).

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NOW THE BON HAS GIVEN ME 3 CHOICES, SURRENDER MY LICENSE FOR 1 YEAR, COMPLETE THE ap R\PROGRAM, OR HAVE AN INVESTIGATION. I AM SO CONFUSED ON WHAT TO DO

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You have been given some very good suggestions about how to find an attorney with experience in your area of need. That's where you should direct your energies right now.

Because we cannot give you any legal advice, this thread is now closed.

Hope you have a good outcome.

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