In Trouble With The Bon!!! Please Advise Me...

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Mar 1, 2005

I think you accidentally submitted early. Please repost???

P_RN, ADN, RN · Mar 1, 2005

That is a pretty heavy load of info there. It looks like at least half-dozen med errors. A negative drug screen may not satisy anyone, because many diversions are for friends and family. Have you thought about an attorney? I think I'd consider at least a consultation. Good luck

Let me add if you have malpractice insurance, contact them, they may have a provision for defense.

loriern · Mar 1, 2005

I am begging for help. I am literally shaking, I am so scared.
I will just start by saying that I have REALLY screwed up.
I have worked full time in a very busy, very aggressive cardiac ICU since graduating in June 2004. I realized that I was in WAY over my head by December. The hours, the "alpha-female" competition, the lack of concise physician preferences ("Well, that is just the way we do this because Dr. X likes it like THIS...remember!") And my personal life wasn't so great either.
When I was giving morphine, I did not document waste in the Pyxis (more than once, I confess.) I fouled up my documentation on the flowsheet AND failed to document in the computer charting. I even pulled up drugs on the wrong pt. a few times. And I gave a pt. the wrong dose of morphine three (yes, THREE) times in one night.
NO PATIENTS were harmed by this (thank God).
My head nurse confronted me with all this last week. (Pyxis printouts galore.) I immediately offered to do a drug screen on the spot. I owned up to my mistakes immediately. I emptied out my purse voluntarily. (My offer to do a drug screen was declined by my employer. I went to an independent testing site THAT DAY after my discussion, and the results were absolutely NEGATIVE.)

I feel sooooooooo sorry for you wish you were not in this spot but........ I believe you did the right thing by first admitting to your mistakes and second taking the drug test even though it was not asked for that has to have been the right thing but you may consider a different area of work and build on some experience before tackling such an intense area. Not putting you down hun I could no more do that than anything have worked in home health peds for 5 years and feel like I have forgotten lots and lots. best of luck let us know how things work out for you.

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Mar 1, 2005

That is a pretty heavy load of info there. It looks like at least half-dozen med errors. A negative drug screen may not satisy anyone, because many diversions are for friends and family. Have you thought about an attorney? I think I'd consider at least a consultation. Good luck

a NURSE lawyer!

I know that there are a few in the tulsa area!

BRANDY LPN · Mar 1, 2005

Go to http://www.nurseprotect.com. They have some good advice there.

southern_rn_brat · Mar 1, 2005

Did you divert narcotics?

bobnurse · Mar 1, 2005

I feel for you.....

With most boards of nursing........You are guilty until proven innocent....

Get yourself a judicial nurse ASAP !!!!

They have the experience and knowledge to help you, because im sorry to tell you, but your gonna need it.......Im sure your innocent, but remember.....YOUR GUILTY until proven innocent.

The Veridican · Mar 2, 2005

You didn't say whether your employer was reporting you to the board of nursing. Your mistakes need to be corrected, but if no pt was harmed, why not just let it be a learning experience. If the strictest letter of the rule surrounding med errors was followed, I'd say about 50 happen each day where I work.

So, are they reporting you to the BON, or not?

The Veridican

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2005

I sense a serious problem. You've made several mistakes and didn't seem to learn from the first one, or the second one, or the third. Let this be a wake up call to be more aware 100% of the time.

I can see why your boss would be suspicious.

Good luck to you.

acutecarenp · Mar 2, 2005

I am begging for help. I am literally shaking, I am so scared.
I will just start by saying that I have REALLY screwed up.
I have worked full time in a very busy, very aggressive cardiac ICU since graduating in June 2004. I realized that I was in WAY over my head by December. The hours, the "alpha-female" competition, the lack of concise physician preferences ("Well, that is just the way we do this because Dr. X likes it like THIS...remember!") And my personal life wasn't so great either.
When I was giving morphine, I did not document waste in the Pyxis (more than once, I confess.) I fouled up my documentation on the flowsheet AND failed to document in the computer charting. I even pulled up drugs on the wrong pt. a few times. And I gave a pt. the wrong dose of morphine three (yes, THREE) times in one night.
NO PATIENTS were harmed by this (thank God).
My head nurse confronted me with all this last week. (Pyxis printouts galore.) I immediately offered to do a drug screen on the spot. I owned up to my mistakes immediately. I emptied out my purse voluntarily. (My offer to do a drug screen was declined by my employer. I went to an independent testing site THAT DAY after my discussion, and the results were absolutely NEGATIVE.)

Wow!...Ouch!

Well.. the frst thing I will say is that once again, my argument is supported! Hospitals that put new grads in critical care areas simply by virtue of the fact that they have a license and a pulse... may not be providing the best solution to staffing problems...

Having said that, I will say that I feel for you as a colleague.

As an earlier poster said, med errors are rampant. And unfortunately, if the order does not cover the full amount of the drug you signed out, and there is no record of waste, you are technically guilty of diverting controlled substances.

Equally unfortunate is the fact that you are assumed to be intentionally deceptive until proven otherwise.

The fact that you volunteered for a drug screen is a plus, but it does not prove a lack of criminal intent.

If the institution has reported you to the BON, get a lawyer. If they have not reported you and they are going to handle it internally as an education issue, get a lawyer anyway. Prefereably on who is an RN,JD.

Finally, no matter what, DO NOT LEAVE your position voluntarily. If you are reassigned, accept the reassignment continue to practice, and accept remediation as it is offered to you.

I am sure that right now, you think that this is the worst thing that can possibly happen to you...But you will see, if you are truly innocent (and it's my hunch that you are).. this too shall pass.

Tony

Haunted · Mar 2, 2005

Please keep us posted on what happens. I gave a patient a wrong PRN and agonized over it till I went wacky so I know how it feels. Hey, we have a conscience I guess!