Houston we have a problem!

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Ok I need some advice. I am a new LPN, a BSN student who has challenged the board to get my LPN so I could gain more clinical practice before graduating. I am working at a nursing home now and have never been in trouble or written up, and the other day I got called into the office and got suspended. Aparently some CNA's claimed I took meds for my own use out of the med cart and gave meds to CNA's. I said yea! I took tylenol! (because I was at work with a 102 degree fever and they wouldn't let me call in!) And I also admitted to giving tylenol to CNA's when they requested it for headaches. I was completly honest, took a random drug test at my job and it was negative, then they sent if off and said I would get a call from the lab requesting my current medications. What I want to know is if the test was negative, why am I suspended pending futher investigation. (this also happened to another one of my coworkers that works with me every Friday and Saturday) Can this affect my licensce? And does this seem fishy to anyone else?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

You are not really supposed to give OTC (over the counter) medications to your coworkers, even though it happens all the time in nursing homes. Someone walks up to your med cart with complaints of an achy back after lifting elderly residents all day, and you give the person a Tylenol. It seems harmless enough, right?

However, a vindictive and petty nurse manager can report you to the BON for an obscure offense called "Defrauding the facility of the cost of medications." The Tylenol, vitamins, and other OTC meds are really for the benefit of the residents. The facility had paid for them in bulk, yet they are being given out to employees.

I hope the outcome of this situation is favorable for you, and that you'll use it as a cautionary lesson to TRUST NO ONE!

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Thank you so much for that! I didn't know being a new nurse I wasn't allowed to do this, because everyone I saw who was training me did it. But I had a feeling there was more to the story and as I talk to more of my coworkers I am seeing I can't trust anyone. I looked at my drug test screen form that they gave to me just a little bit ago and found that they did not check the box in the on-site screening section that my test was indeed negative. This really concerns me, because the test was negative and verafied by two RN's. What if those same people turn around and say yes it was positive? There was also a break in the seal of the drug test and I was asked to initial where that break was. Now I am worried they are going to tamper with my test. I have never been so angry in my life.

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i have been on meds with an upset stomach many times....i have been tempted to take a tum or 2 myself...but would NEVER.......they are there for the residents....not me....WOW

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

Dear buddaluv08, I'm sure you meant no harm and feeling ill didn't help, but I'm going to be blunt for yours and anyone else's sake, who may read this thread. Taking meds from the med cart for purposes other than their intended use is theft. Giving meds to other staff is practicing without a license. If you come out of this with a suspension, consider yourself fortunate and a lot wiser. What would you do if you gave another staff an OTC and the next day that staff member found out they're expecting and what you gave them was contraindicated. This is just one of a million of scenarios just to make the point that by doing this you put your license/future in jeopardy. All sharing of Rx with friends or colleagues enters a different dimension when you obtain your license.

Asking you (or "making you") come to work with a 102 temp is unbelievable. I don't mean I do not believe you, I am just speechless and can't find a better word.

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Specializes in L & D, Med-Surge, Dialysis.

Thanks for sharing your story. Is a lesson for every nurses!!!

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I have to admit that I too have done this. If my cna either needs 2 tylenol or has to go home ill, she gets the tylenol! I never even gave it much of a thought other than to ask if she had taken tylenol before. I will not be doing that again. Scarrrry. I wish you the best :redbeathe

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yup, it is part of long term care culture to do this, but it isnt legal, i know one nurse who would bring and willingly share her own apan or ibuprofen, for exactly that reason.....

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Specializes in Med Surg.

There are at least two LTC facilities around here that allow the nurses to take a couple of Tylenol or Tums for personal use if they sign for them. They can also provide the same for CNAs or others who don't have access to the meds. The hospital where I work also allows this. (I signed out a couple of ibuprophen the other night). The key here is that you can't take more than the max dosage and you do have to sign for them. I am pretty sure that these are not the only places in this entire country who allow this.

Sorry for what you are going through. I think the lesson here is to know your facility policy before you do anything that even might get your tail in a crack.

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