I made a mistake with my home meds and it affected me at work, will I lose my job?

Nurses General Nursing

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I am on several home meds and I always take them before I get in the shower. One morning I was very sleepy and I didn't realize it but I took 2 ambien instead of two of my other medications. After I was at work for about an hour it took affect and I became very sleepy and I was reported as impaired on the job. They immediately suspended me and turned this over to the NCBON. I even took 2 urine test that came back negative. What am I going to do? I have a family and they have had me out of work since Nov 2. Please somebody give me some advise.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Have you an attorney? That would be my suggestion.

impairment on the job is a serious charge.

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In other words my life is over.

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In other words my life is over.

Not necessarily. Be very honest, don't fib, come clean, tell the truth, and hope for the best.

If you took Ambien, that isn't typically a drug someone would want to abuse, not while working. Usually other classes of drugs are abused. People who want to sleep take Ambien, not work while impaired. Hopefully that will be taken into consideration.

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I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that this happened. I am sure you didn't go to work knowing you took 2 Ambien, but realized your error later? I agree that you need to be honest and get an attorney stat.

Wishing you luck.

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IIRC, it is important to deal honestly with the BON & have an attorney. It is also important to let them know how this accident will be avoided in the future; i.e. you may want to keep your morning meds and your evening med (ambien) in separate locations to prevent this accident from happening again. You might also have a plan to get more sleep so as to not be so groggy in the morning.

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how do I go about finding a attorney in raleigh. does anyone know of one who can help. As God is my witness, I did not mean to do that. I stayed up late with the kids playing and I was so sleepy the next morning I wasn't paying attention. If any of you or even just one of you believe in the prayer to God. I really need all the prayers I can get. I am scared, hopless and I can't stop crying. Please God hear someone's prayer for me. thank you

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what does IIRC mean?

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Specializes in Transplant, homecare, hospice.
I am on several home meds and I always take them before I get in the shower. One morning I was very sleepy and I didn't realize it but I took 2 ambien instead of two of my other medications. After I was at work for about an hour it took affect and I became very sleepy and I was reported as impaired on the job. They immediately suspended me and turned this over to the NCBON. I even took 2 urine test that came back negative. What am I going to do? I have a family and they have had me out of work since Nov 2. Please somebody give me some advise.

OMGosh, first and foremost, are you okay??? I take Ambien too and 2 would wow....that's bad. It's not your fault. Did you try to explain what happened?? I think you need an attorney too. What is your nurse manager saying about this?

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OMGosh, first and foremost, are you okay??? I take Ambien too and 2 would wow....that's bad. It's not your fault. Did you try to explain what happened?? I think you need an attorney too. What is your nurse manager saying about this?

I have been on ambien since the 1980's. It just made me very sleepy. I tried to explain to my manager and even voluteered for 2 drug screens that both came back negative. Every one tells me to get a lawyer but I don't know who to look for in Raleigh.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

You can call the bar association for a list of names. If you have the chance see about getting a Nurse/Attorney. They have been on both sides.

Ask your friends, pastor, doctor etc for recommendations. You don't need to be cheap either, as you said you need the salary.

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Specializes in LTC, HOSPICE, HOME, PAIN MANAGEMENT, ETC.
i am on several home meds and i always take them before i get in the shower. one morning i was very sleepy and i didn't realize it but i took 2 ambien instead of two of my other medications. after i was at work for about an hour it took affect and i became very sleepy and i was reported as impaired on the job. they immediately suspended me and turned this over to the ncbon. i even took 2 urine test that came back negative. what am i going to do? i have a family and they have had me out of work since nov 2. please somebody give me some advise.

i don't understand a few things about your post. if your drug screens were negative...how can you be sure you took the ambien? yoy said you were wrong about it initially when you took them incorrectly at all. what makes you think it was the ambien and not something clinical, physical or psychological? have you generally had a good record or have other things happened in the past. don't ddiscuss anymore of this unless you have an attorney present. things can be so easily turned against you.

i have been through something very similar and so pm me if you'd like. this happened to me a few times, so my experience may benefit. it also led to a diagnosis of something i knew nothing about, explained a lot about my past amd is treatable! please pm or e-mail me! carol

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