So about a month ago I came here looking for advice about being suspended for a co-sign waste discrepancy. I just got an email from HR saying they need to meet with me this is the email
i copied the email...
“As you were informed by your manager, ***** **** on Date deleted..., HR, Management and Pharmacy are conducting an investigation into your medication handling and administration practices. We need to meet with you in connection with the investigation. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. Failure to contact me or otherwise cooperate with the investigation will result in the termination of your employment. If you’re employment is terminated, we will be obligated to report you to the State of Michigan Licensing Bureau.”
this happened a month ago, I’m contingent so I started looking for work right away. I secured a job. I feel like this is a trap and I was under the impression they are required to the state anyways. I talked to a lawyer when this all went down and he said, hospitals usually don’t let lawyers attend internal meetings.
The investigation could take years. I have been through this more than once. The difference being that I was guilty.
My attorney, who was also a RN, gave me the best advice while being investigated and that was to sign up with a monitoring program that did random drug screening. I enrolled in the same one the nursing board used to prove my sobriety. I don't recall what it cost but it was cheaper than if you were ordered to do it.
After a 2+ year investigation I provided my results and they took that into consideration and reduced my "sentence" by 50%.
When it comes to the nursing board you are guilty until proven innocent!
I'm in a terrible situation which is completely my fault and I take full responsibility for it. I was terminated and referred to IPN and was given 1 week to enter the program or they will contact the DOH. What I will be investigated for drug diversion but my blood and urine toxic screens were negative and no medication found, but I tried to cover up my over wasted medication which I know is stupid and irrational so I will probably lose my license for deliberately furnishing mislead information. I can't sleep or eat. I'm looking into a lawyer to help me but feel like the board isn't going to look aside a falsification incident. I just distraught and need to post somewhere to see if there are any other stories like mine and what the outcome was either good or bad. I just feel like anyone in my shoes will never practice again.
I'm in a terrible situation which is completely my fault and I take full responsibility for it. I was terminated and referred to IPN and was given 1 week to enter the program or they will contact the DOH. What I will be investigated for drug diversion but my blood and urine toxic screens were negative and no medication found, but I tried to cover up my over wasted medication which I know is stupid and irrational so I will probably lose my license for deliberately furnishing mislead information. I can't sleep or eat. I'm looking into a lawyer to help me but feel like the board isn't going to look aside a falsification incident. I just distraught and need to post somewhere to see if there are any other stories like mine and what the outcome was either good or bad. I just feel like anyone in my shoes will never practice again.
While it is true that you should have not done that "covered up wasted information". Many of these issues are often "system" based. Consider, I remember one time where I was so busy that I dropped a Propofol bottle (and if the patient had run dry he would have likely died he was so hypoxic even on the vent) and I literally put down a towel and ran to to the room with a new bottle before fixing the count (I was tripled in the ICU with three very sick patients). I remember another time where a very challenging client "lost" an oxycontin pill somewhere in the bed because he insisted on trying to put the pills in his mouth himself (but have very poor motor control) and we could not find the pill (and I had to have the charge nurse correct the waste, bless Mike he was an amazing charge nurse), in part the error happened because I had five very sick PCU patients and 10 nurses had to share one Pixus. My point is don't be too hard on yourself. Get an attorney skilled in these matters and fight the "good fight". Your work is a blessing to others and I cannot help but believe that the forces of good will tend to return your efforts (but I am a hopeless optimist). Admit to nothing other than what you actually did.
So I just wanted to update my situation. I received the dreaded Letter of investigation today. It says I have until the 11th of Aug to reply. I have only consulted with a lawyer from 7 months ago. I do have my hair follicle test that I was told to get when I was terminated. Although I actually quit, I just went in for their meeting so I wouldn’t look like I was not cooperating in their internal investigation.
So I just wanted to update my situation. I received the dreaded Letter of investigation today. It says I have until the 11th of Aug to reply. I have only consulted with a lawyer from 7 months ago. I do have my hair follicle test that I was told to get when I was terminated. Although I actually quit, I just went in for their meeting so I wouldn’t look like I was not cooperating in their internal investigation.
How did the meeting go? What did they say? Did you go alone or with your attorney?
The meeting was 7 months ago. I was not allowed to bring an attorney. They had a statement already written up and said I wasn’t wasting properly( it was paper charting) then they installed omicells and said that meds were pulled and not scanned or wasted. Not sure what’s going to happen but I will hire a lawyer and fight this. I’m not looking forward to all this but knew this day would eventually come. I love being a nurse but will not be forced in monitoring for x amount of years. Even at 39 I’d give up this career and start over in a different industry
Omnicel is antiquated system, whenever you do a Narc waste, it’s possible the co-signed RN may mistakenly put a wrong amount of wastage Narcs.. I am being allegedly accused too, and I have informal conference this coming sept. I did quarterly hair follicles test. And during that incident they escorted me for reasonable suspicion but I passed all the test.
The meeting was 7 months ago. I was not allowed to bring an attorney. They had a statement already written up and said I wasn’t wasting properly( it was paper charting) then they installed omicells and said that meds were pulled and not scanned or wasted. Not sure what’s going to happen but I will hire a lawyer and fight this. I’m not looking forward to all this but knew this day would eventually come. I love being a nurse but will not be forced in monitoring for x amount of years. Even at 39 I’d give up this career and start over in a different industry
Hi,
I would for sure talk with a lawyer again. I understand how you feel, I thought about leaving the profession behind a few times, but I really enjoy what I do. The thing though, is that even if you say f it and move on, there could still be an open investigation and sometimes that gets turned over to the AG. So, before wanting to walk away from it all, make sure you get some good legal advice.
zoeintx
30 Posts
The investigation could take years. I have been through this more than once. The difference being that I was guilty.
My attorney, who was also a RN, gave me the best advice while being investigated and that was to sign up with a monitoring program that did random drug screening. I enrolled in the same one the nursing board used to prove my sobriety. I don't recall what it cost but it was cheaper than if you were ordered to do it.
After a 2+ year investigation I provided my results and they took that into consideration and reduced my "sentence" by 50%.
When it comes to the nursing board you are guilty until proven innocent!