I have been an RN for 5 years. Two years ago, a small hospital in which I was practicing reported to my state BON every mistake I had made during my entire 2 years of employment. This happened AFTER a doctor and myself got into a very heated argument over a pt. I made the mistake of questioning his orders. This doctor is known for his fury! He is NEVER wrong! He reported to the DON the incident and she informed me I should submit to a drug screen for the doctor had stated: "She has errated behavior".
Well, I firmly 'planted my feet' and refused a drug screen unless the doctor also took one. Well, this went over like a 'turd in a punch bowl'. After approx one hour of discussion, I resigned after telling them all how I felt.
My license were placed on 2 year probation and I had to sign an Agreed Order with my state BON. I had NO idea how serious this was. I had no clue r/g an attorney so I signed the agreement.
The probation would have been up in Feb. BUT, I recently went to work for a small nursing home. My job responsibilities were: passing meds to 38 residents, skilled charting, assessing the skilled residents, breathing txments, wound care, and any admissions which came in, take orders off from incoming requests the day-shift nurse had requested, ordering all meds for residents.
I eventually made two med-errors which consisted of a med not given to two residents.I filled out a med error form.I also faxed an order for a resident to our out of state pharmacy and failed to place her name on the order. The pharmacy called almost immediatly for the name inwhich I supplied.
After approx 50 days into this job, the new hires, one of which at been there 6mos, were place in one day orientation. I was fired a few days later for the above incidents. This facility reported this to the board.
What you all need to understand about this night-mare is this: I stupidly signed an Agreed Order with the BON stating I would be PERFECT. You all know as well myself, we as nurses are NOT perfect no more than any one else in this world.
It would seem to me that if the nurse (or anyone in question) has nothing to hide, she/he should just do the drug screen. What's the big deal. Refusal to do so immediately sends up a red flag. If any of us had a patient refuse a drug screen we would ommediately be suspect, right?
I don't know about the BON stuff, but the other pafrt is just common sense. We are in a helping (and very visible) profession. We are supposed to keep our noses clean. Why anyone would refuse a drug screen (expecially if they ahve nothing to hide) is way beyone me. Seems lke there muct be more to this story than is reported here. :uhoh21:
I didn't flat refuse the drug test......however, I felt than and do now that the MD should have been drug tested also.......he was putting a pts life in danger and we are supose to be pt avocates.......I rest assured if this order was given to a nurse on your mother or father of anyone you care about you would feel differently.
The state of California's BON publishes a newsletter, I guess that's what you would call it, once or twice a year giving all kinds of info of what is happening in the BON world. The one section I and most of my friends look forward to is the section on who has had their license yanked, pulled and suspended. They give the full name, reason for suspension and for how long. No one can hide in this state! I love it because some of the reasons are so bizarre. Most of them has nothing wharsoever to do with nursing but comes under some morals segment of the Nursing Act here in California. Goes all the way from a DUI, spousal abuse, child endangerment, violent acts, embelzelment to murder! There are the ones who's license are suspended for med mistakes, patient abuse, stealing, patient abandonemnet, etc.... So you can see it has a wide variety of offenses. Mike
The state of California's BON publishes a newsletter, I guess that's what you would call it, once or twice a year giving all kinds of info of what is happening in the BON world. The one section I and most of my friends look forward to is the section on who has had their license yanked, pulled and suspended. They give the full name, reason for suspension and for how long. No one can hide in this state! I love it because some of the reasons are so bizarre. Most of them has nothing wharsoever to do with nursing but comes under some morals segment of the Nursing Act here in California. Goes all the way from a DUI, spousal abuse, child endangerment, violent acts, embelzelment to murder! There are the ones who's license are suspended for med mistakes, patient abuse, stealing, patient abandonemnet, etc.... So you can see it has a wide variety of offenses. Mike
We used to get a bi yearly newsletter also giving full names of nurses having their liecenses suspended...some of the reasons were ......taking narc keys home with them (I don't know about anyone else but I've done that...not intentionally believe me). One person was suspended because he was a diabetic his sugar went high so he used the facilities insulin.
Specializes in obstetrics(high risk antepartum, L/D,etc.
I am in my 20th year of nursing and I ahve NEVER heard anone refer anything to a BON.
You have been very lucky. I am aware of nurses who were reported for: giving an elderly gentleman a hug, for failing to put in hearing aids in an alzheimer patient, tiage nurse who did not ask for the paramedic's last name on a murder suicide call, teaching a patient to time contractions, triage nurse telling a caller with incontinence that she should wear a pad and not cough or sneeze (this was the accepted prodocol) then suggesting that she mention this to her physician the next time she was in his office. I know of several other reasons just as ridiculous. So, you see, sometimes, nurses get the "short stick" from fellow nurses.
Throughout my very loonnngg (long) experience in the work place (not nursing), I have observed women hurt other women time and time again for seemingly no reason. I don't understand what possible benefit could be derived from petty back stabbing, tattleing exaggerated tales of mis-conduct, gossiping behind other's backs, and an attitude that is out to get anyone and everyone but themselves into trouble.
I just don't get it and I never will. Until women realize that stabbing their sisters in the back is not the way, industries and jobs that are heavily filled with female workers will never carry the stature that industries dominated by men have. It makes the whole bunch look bad and holds everyone back. When women do this to each other they hurt the entire female workforce. You don't see near as much of this type of negative influence in industries dominated by men. Guys help eachother up the ladder of success. Women tend to stomp eachother down. Why is that and when will it ever end?
After reading this thread I realize I am blessed! I work in a great place, suppportive staff and have a pharmacist on duty 24/7. They take the initiative for any questionable order by calling the docs.
In regards to taking a drug test. I probably would have done it but then I would have quit! It's really unfortunate that people have such difficulty with acknowledging great co workers but are so willing to believe the worst about them. It took a lot of courage for the original poster to write, discuss her problem and ask for help. I hope she wins her case and gets back to work soon.
Throughout my very loonnngg (long) experience in the work place (not nursing), I have observed women hurt other women time and time again for seemingly no reason. I don't understand what possible benefit could be derived from petty back stabbing, tattleing exaggerated tales of mis-conduct, gossiping behind other's backs, and an attitude that is out to get anyone and everyone but themselves into trouble.
I just don't get it and I never will. Until women realize that stabbing their sisters in the back is not the way, industries and jobs that are heavily filled with female workers will never carry the stature that industries dominated by men have. It makes the whole bunch look bad and holds everyone back. When women do this to each other they hurt the entire female workforce. You don't see near as much of this type of negative influence in industries dominated by men. Guys help eachother up the ladder of success. Women tend to stomp eachother down. Why is that and when will it ever end?
:uhoh21:
Have to agree with you there. Makes life harder for everyone and your right makes women as a whole look bad. I don't think its a majority of women but its enough to make it bad.......everyplace has at least one.
Have to agree with you there. Makes life harder for everyone and your right makes women as a whole look bad. I don't think its a majority of women but its enough to make it bad.......everyplace has at least one.
Wal mart is looking better and better. I am old enougn to be a greater. At this stage in my life I do not need, nor do I want the hassle of mean spirited people:uhoh21: . If a person cannot make themself look good they try everything in their power to make someone else look bad, even if they have to "cook up" a problem.
Wal mart is looking better and better. I am old enougn to be a greater. At this stage in my life I do not need, nor do I want the hassle of mean spirited people:uhoh21: . If a person cannot make themself look good they try everything in their power to make someone else look bad, even if they have to "cook up" a problem.
:) I think being a Wal Mart greeter would be my dream job. I told my husband that the other day as we were strolling through WalMart
As if errors were not enough, do you know the other things that a board could come after you for? If I told you, if I presented legal documents, you would not believe me. . . Just don't piss off your manager, administrator, or other nurses and you might be ok.
Steve- You forgot exes, don't piss off your ex either ladies and gentlmen, they can file a bogus complaint with the BON during a custody dispute and you wouldn't believe it but the BON will believe your ex.
It can happen to anyone - I probably would have refused the drug test myself - let me share my experience with all of you- last year I went on vacation the last week in August to the first week in September returning the day after labor day. In my absence one of my clients ( I am in residential care) was sent to the hospital for elevated Depakote levels - this was towards the first week of my holiday - he was admitted and the agency did an investigation for possible neglect - by the time that I returned to work he had been treated and discharged from the hospital - Now the week before I went on vacation this client had a depakote level that was within normal range - but get this I was accused of patient neglect - when the client went to the hospital it was reported that he had made certain statements to the doctor that he had been lethargic and disoriented for 10-15 days - this is a client who is severely mentally retarded and non-verbal - he cannot make a sentence - further more the investigator had attributed many statements that I had allegedly made to him(I was on vacation)_ and disciplinary action against me was recommended. Well, I had a time fighting this one, although the record showed that I was on vacation, I was out of the country at the time, and had no knowledge that this client was in the hospital - it was still tough getting anyone to believe me - I thought that I was in a world of lunatics - although all of the evidence clearly showed that I was not at fault I had a time with my work place - But I have been around for a long time so I went to battle with them - eventually I threatened to sue them - yes that is a good word to use sometimes - the state came in and investigated and cited them for gathering false and inaccurate information and so it came to an end - fortunately my supervisor (she is not a nurse) was on my side and fought with me to the end - so it can happen to anyone - just be careful and make sure to keep your private malpractice coverage at all times.
Sheba817
27 Posts