Innocent, BON, and self representation?

Nurses Recovery

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Hello all, quick question. Need to know of other stories, humble advice, etc before I cash out a 401K to pay for an atty who actually used to WORK for the BON prosecuting nurses.

I worked at a very busy hospital, night shift, rare to get lunch, half the time no aides. Carried my pt med, including narcotics, in my pocket (my desk) and when they didn't nee the pain medication, RETURNED it, but not in the timely 60 min time frame necessary. This red flagged me. I finally gave two week notice for the hospital because they kept calling us before a peer review, etc. seemingly to bully us. Next step, was receiving a letter stating I needed to sign up for somethintg called KNAP for nurses who practice impaired! I shared my willingness to be tested anytime as I'm innocent (except for margaritas on date night) but it would be on THEIR dime, not mine. Needless to say, they sent my case back to the BON, who now think my license should be revoked? Seriously, on no evidence???

I will pay for an atty but am LIVID at working so hard and I feel the facts should present themselves and will come out in the wash. Ive been cordially invited to a prehearing.

Am I being too naive?

Is the money worth it for the atty (gasp, $6000)?

Help! Anyone been in this predicament and can humbly lend advice?

And thanks.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Get the attorney. Don't even think twice about it. Do it.

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Get the attorney. Don't even think twice about it. Do it.

Hello Silver Zumba (heard thats a blast, used to do Jazzercise, fun also)

Why do you say that?

I more than likely will, yet tell me what makes you state this so vehemently? Just stories you've heard? Why would they seem to OUT TO GET ONE with no evidence?

I'm willing to stand before them yet every one is saying NO.

I just need to know why NO.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Because the down side of not doing it is far lower than the down side of $6K. Because they are using the legal system to take away your license and your livelihood. Even if you keep your license, you may have restrictions that will severely limit your ability to find work again, particularly in today's economic environment. You are not a lawyer and likely have very little idea what exactly goes into the process and what violations may or may not occur in their pursuit of you. The fact that you feel there is no evidence is not pertinent. What is pertinent is that you are being charged with a legal violation that you state you are innocent of. If you are truly innocent, you may very well need a lawyer to pursue the case on your behalf. The BON does NOT have your best interest at heart and they don't really care if you are innocent. You are one small individual up against one behemoth of a bureaucracy, a government entity that could really care less what happens to you. They are charged with protecting the public and are zealous in doing so. You cannot fight them on equal ground because you do not have the resources nor the knowledge of the legal system required. Hire someone who does to represent you. And for goodness sake don't discuss it any further on the Internet. The fact that you are bringing this up in a discoverable way on a public Internet website only emphasizes how much you do not know and how much you NEED a lawyer.

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Interesting, aren't we anonymous here?

Appreciate, greatly, your advice.

Thank you!

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Interesting, aren't we anonymous here?

No such thing, really. This is the 'net. Little is truly foolproof.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

$6K for an attorney vs. projected earnings as a nurse for the rest of your working life.

I'm not really seeing the conflict here.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

Do you have ? If so, call them immediately. Depending on your policy, they will provide you with license defense.

Word to the wise re: malpractice insurance. I thought I needed to use it only 7 months into my practice, based on a late night call from on an NM. I called my carrier the next morning and told them what I knew at the time, and they said to keep them updated. Apparently, when I went in, in front of the CNO and the state, they were asking about an MD's practice in a particular situation, not mine. One of the most stressful professional situations I have ever been in.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

NOTHING on the Internet is anonymous. All it takes is a subpoena.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

We've moved this thread to the Recovery forum for now - you can receive some good advice here.

I agree, get an attorney now. You need representation.

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Wow. Ouch, that would be horrid.

Truly appreciate your words here especially how quickly you hastened to respond.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

And, be careful how much information you place on the internet. This could work against you and your attorney may/may not want you to be discussing this in public. IF you wish this thread removed and/or a name change, please come to the help desk and we will communicate with you privately (Administrators).

Help Desk

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