How is this possible and even legally okay?!

Nurses Recovery

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Specializes in Geriatric.

Can someone please give me some insight on this-a while ago I was terminated from my job for ‘not putting orders in.’ I knew that was complete b.s. as I could prove I put orders in. Several months pass, and I receive a call from an AG investigator asking my side of the story regard my termination. I start going on and on about these orders, and he interrupts me, and states no I’m referring to the 30 missing opioids they’re claiming that you took. I told him I literally had NO idea what he was referring to and I hung up. Two months later, I receive a complaint letter from the AG that I’m under investigation and could submit any information I have to back up my story. I had texts between the other individual listed in the complaint-who they claim we both admitted to not verifying the meds together-I had never even met this girl! She was a qma and left before I came on shift. I was never on the medication carts-only the qmas passed meds! The complaint stated that the meds were delivered in the evening while I was still in the building finishing up charting-again, not true. The meds were delivered everyday around 5am! It gets even better-the DON at the time reached out to me shortly after I received this complaint letter, asking if I was okay, and apologizing for everything. Admitting it was all a lie made up by the administrator of the facility! In fact, I was not even in town when supposedly these narcotics came up missing. The cart would’ve been counted at least 8-10 times once it was finally noticed. I sent all of this to the AG office-65 pages of evidence clearing me-yet they didn’t clear me! Now I’m just waiting to find out what happens from here. How is this even possible?! The qma who was also listed, still works there and just got written up, yet I got fired, and reported to the AG. Apparently the AG doesn’t care about administrators of facilities lying-I was actually told this by a legal nurse-HOW?! HOW TF IS THIS POSSIBLE?! This terrible administrator has ruined my confidence, trust, reputation, and career! I’m scared of going to jail! I’ve never been in any sort of trouble ever. Okay I’ve gotten a couple parking tickets, but I paid them right away!! ?

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If you haven't retained counsel yet, do so immediately. 

Don't discuss this with anyone other than your counsel and significant other.  Especially, don't discuss this further with anyone from the AG's office, refer all communication to your counsel.

Best wishes.

 

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On 3/3/2022 at 12:04 PM, chare said:

If you haven't retained counsel yet, do so immediately. 

Don't discuss this with anyone other than your counsel and significant other.  Especially, don't discuss this further with anyone from the AG's office, refer all communication to your counsel.

Best wishes.

 

I can't stress this enough, retain legal counsel STAT!! The board is no one to play with let alone the AG, the board also has a team of attorneys working for THEM against YOU!  I graduated with my BSN when I was in my late 20's (now in my mid 40s), a juvenile conviction for marijuana when I was 16 showed up on my background, this should not be held against me according to our laws. Nevertheless the board hit me with a long list of demands, proof of drug treatment (for 1 joint when I was 16), psy eval ect ect ect  I confided in a trusted instructor who was a real advocate and she highly recommend I retain counsel.  Now any attorney will take your money but not any attorney will work (that was a $750 lesson on attorney #1) so I did some research and found out I need whats known as an Administrative Defense Attorney, these people specialize in representation in front of boards be it nursing, medical board, dental, teachers board ect  The attorney I found use to actually represent the state board of nursing, he fired off a demand letter stating if they don't issue my license forthwith we'll file suit in 7 days. My nursing license was issued three days later :)  Fighting the board and AG without an attorney is like attempting to treat fluid overload in a CHF pt by tossing blankets on them and letting them sweat it out... it just aint gonna work... They WILL take your license and not think twice about it, they will ruin your life, they will consider you guilt.....

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Specializes in Geriatric.

Thank you both for your advice. I still haven’t heard anything from them. It’s like every single day I wake up thinking, maybe today I’ll hear something. I did reach out to an administrative defense attorney right after this, but they wanted $4500 just as a retainer fee! No freakin way am I paying that right now especially since I don’t even know what they are going to try to come at me with?! As of today, my license is in good standing and I’m working. I just don’t trust these people when I was able to prove 100% without a doubt that I did nothing wrong…I don’t know if I need to look into hiring an administrative defense attorney or a criminal defense attorney. These jerks sure love to try and scare and intimidate you, but no, I will not and have not spoke to them  except when I told him I would absolutely not be willing to meet with him until I know exactly what for and why. Since then-(around 3 weeks ago)-I haven’t heard anything more from him. Im sure something is coming, but I don’t know what yet! That’s the most stressful part! 

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Specializes in Psychiatric RN.

If you haven't applied, get - NSO is the go to. I personally don't know any other liability insurances. It covers up to $200/hr. Won't get reimbursed until after the case has been resolved - so I had to front a lot of the money.

Agreed as everyone else said - lawyer up. Narcotic cases are always tricky. I can't give advise as my case isn't similar to yours but please please please find a lawyer that meets your needs. 

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Specializes in oncology.
On 3/11/2022 at 11:38 PM, Floridababe said:

I did reach out to an administrative defense attorney right after this, but they wanted $4500 just as a retainer fee!

Consider this like car or home insurance. You can shop around but look for the best, not the cheapest.  

Wishing you the best of luck, Your documentation of the dates/check stubs/ any printed dates of when you worked will be vital!

 

10 hours ago, xbananachipsx said:

If you haven't applied, get liability insurance - NSO is the go to.

Will this cover an incident prior to the date the insurance it becomes effective?

10 hours ago, xbananachipsx said:

I personally don't know any other liability insurances.

I got a policy from the insurance company that covered my home and car. 

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Specializes in Psychiatric RN.

You know I'm actually not sure if NSO/nursing will cover cases prior to when your insurance becomes effective - I would reach out and ask. It's still helpful to have it moving forward. I pay like $105/month but might go up after my case with the BON.

My lawyer did what she could to represent me - even one of the ADAs whom she was communicating with tried their best. It is what it is, but I'm glad I still get to have my license. 

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Specializes in oncology.
On 3/3/2022 at 8:42 AM, Floridababe said:

I start going on and on about these orders, and he interrupts me, and states no I’m referring to the 30 missing opioids they’re claiming that you took. I told him I literally had NO idea what he was referring to and I hung up.

You might want to rethink this strategy. When the call catches you off guard, ask to call them back with your response to their claim. 

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