Kicked out of CNA because of RX

subee, MSN, CRNA · Jan 12, 2006

Thanks for all the great responses. I am a chronic pain patient. I am treated for abdominal pain. There is nerve damage to my lower pelvic area. With out the pain meds I can't function so going off the meds unfortunately wont work. I do not take anything for break through pain, I am medicated just with the pain patch and a few muscle relaxers. It maybe a bad time to mention it but I am also on Bi polar medications I don't know if they will have a problem with that too or not I did not ask. I do worry about the physical demands of the job on my body, however I will continue to work on getting stronger. I wont give up simply because I have this problem, I have always wanted to do this and I am not going to give up just because of this nerve damage. I don't want it to ruin my dream.
Today I went into the office of the head of the CNA department at my school and she explained that because my pain patch is considered a narcotic she can't let me stay in the CNA program. She says that it is because the clinics wont let her have anyone who is on a narcotic. She says no matter how I "feel" I am slowed down by my pain medication and I would be taking a chance on hurting my patient because I am on a narcotic. I am upset. I don't feel like I would or could ever hurt anyone. I can drive my car everyday I take care of my children and husband and house. I study and have a 3.5 gpa so I know I am apparently alert enough to go to school, but I am not alert enough to take care of someone? I don't know what to do at this point. I am going to start looking for another CNA program my husband said the local Red Cross will sometimes have classes. I will start calling around tomorrow. I have so many mixed emotions I am so angry and frustrated but mostly just feel like crying. I have to get this CNA class done to be able to apply to the program in May. And now I am worried if I will face the same thing when it comes time for RN school if I get accepted.
Any ideas? I am not sure if it is a school issue or possibly a state issue? I am not sure where to start.
Thanks for all the support and help.
Hugs :icon_hug:
Shannon

Shannon, the peer assistance committee in my state is going to discuss soon the issue of nurses returning to work on methadone. Before I spent one more minute pursuing a career in nursing, I would contact your state Board of Nursing to find out if you are, indeed, even eligible to work in that state with a Fentanyl patch. I don't think that you could work any state. It may seem very infair, but this is an issue that is going to be getting a lot more attention in the future with aging baby boomer nurses trying to continue working with rotten hips, backs and knees. It is difficult to make individual exceptions for people because so many nurses with addictions relapse using narcotics for various medical conditions. Using prescribed narcotics is not the same at being treated for anxiety, depression or bi-polar disease. We don't see people ruining their lives over Lithium or Paxil (rather, its the failure to take your meds !). There's an awful lot of ways out there to express your desire to nuture people.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2006

Shannon RN 2be. . .whatever agency in your state is in charge of maintaining the list of certified nursing assistants will also have a list of the organizations who teach an approved CNA course. That is the fastest way to find a CNA class. I've tried checking in your state before (you're in North Carolina, right?) and I don't think it's the Board of Nursing who maintains this list in your state. It might be the Department of Health. Any nursing home DON should know which agency oversees the CNA certification, so I'd start there. Good luck, kiddo.

NP2BE · Jan 12, 2006

While I do sympathize with your chronic pain, if it cant be managed by NSAIDs or steroids, I think you need to find a different profession. I know of several docs and nurses who did not come back to work until after they were off narcs post surgery. I think it may be a violation , but even if it isnt, fentanyl is a potent medication. While you may be tolerant, you still have a potent opiate at therapeutic levels in your bloodstream and it slows you down realize it or not. That may be harsh, but I wouldnt want you taking care of me or my loved one with that patch on.

As said above, there are still other professions you can get into which you can care for other people that being on pain meds would be less of a concern. i imagine social work or psychology might be possibilities.

On the subject of methadone, I am thoroughly against nurses practicng on methadone. That is a joke. Methadone is for active drug addicts, anyone who has been around methadone programs can tell you that methadone users are not fully functional people. I know of plenty of people personally, having worked in rehabs myself, who have quit heroin and methadone after years of abuse, if they can do it, anyone can. Methadone is just legal drug abuse. I actually have no problem with people using methadone, but they should not be allowed to do a lot of things, including drive a car, or carry a professonal healthcare license.

Bipley · Jan 12, 2006

Methadone is just legal drug abuse. I actually have no problem with people using methadone, but they should not be allowed to do a lot of things, including drive a car, or carry a professonal healthcare license.

I was alllllll ready to pounce all over this post until I read this. :) We agree. I hate methadone, it's a legal alternative to the illegal stuff. Just as addictive, all the manipulations.

katfishLPN · Jan 12, 2006

What about HIPPA and "pain as the 5th vital sign?" Why don't healthcare workers have the right to have their chronic pain managed as long as they are clearly are not impaired?!

katfishLPN · Jan 12, 2006

Quote from NP2BE "While I do sympathize with your chroinc pain, if it can't be managed by NSAID's or steroids, I think you will need to find a different profession. I know of several docs and nurses who did not come back to work until after they were off narcs post surgery. I think it may be a violation, but even if it isn't, fentanyl is a potent medication. While you may be tolerant, you still have a potent opiate at therapeutic levels in your bloodstream and it slows you down realize it or not. That may be harsh, but I wouldn't want you taking care of me or my loved one with that patch on. As said above, there are still other professions you can get into which you can care for other people that being on pain meds would be of less concern. i imagine social work or psychology might be possibilites. On the subject of methadone, I am thoroughly against nurse's practicng on methadone. That is a joke. Methadone is for active drug addicts, anyone who has been around methadone programs can tell you that methadone users are not fully functional people. I have known people personally, having worked in rehabs myself, who have quit heroin and methadone after years of abuse. if they can do it anyone can. Methadone is just legal drug abuse. I actually have no problem with people using methadone, but they should not be allowed to do alot of things, including drive a car or carry a professional healthcare license." END QUOTE

Wow...you obviously have never had chronic pain issues! You know, pain meds that work for one person don't always work for another. So which ever med the MD and patient find that works best is up to them. You are aware that Methadone is actually a legally prescribed pain med right? I have taken many pain seminars and have worked with a wonderful Physician who specializes in chronic pain and your attitude and the tone of your post is why so many people who need to take meds for chronic pain feel stigmatized, embarrassed and ashamed just for wanting to control their pain enough to function normally on a day to day basis.

What an absolute insult to anyone taking methadone for a legitimate medical issue that causes chronic pain (and there are many) to be compared to a "not fully functional" person who "is a drug addict" who takes methadone for a completley different reason. Do not lump all patients taking methadone into one big "drug addict" pile. That is just so ignorant in my opinion!

The Physician I worked for who specializes in chronic pain works tirelessly to talk and give seminars/insevices to other healthcare workers to help overcome these stereotypes. It is so disheartening to me to see this kind of post on this site especially when this thread is NOT about methadone and the OP is looking for advice!!

NaomieRN · Jan 12, 2006

I wish you the best of luck......Talk to your doctor and certainly call a lawyer

NaomieRN · Jan 12, 2006

I wish you the best of luck......Talk to your doctor

NP2BE · Jan 12, 2006

Quote from NP2BE "While I do sympathize with your chroinc pain, if it can't be managed by NSAID's or steroids, I think you will need to find a different profession. I know of several docs and nurses who did not come back to work until after they were off narcs post surgery. I think it may be a violation, but even if it isn't, fentanyl is a potent medication. While you may be tolerant, you still have a potent opiate at therapeutic levels in your bloodstream and it slows you down realize it or not. That may be harsh, but I wouldn't want you taking care of me or my loved one with that patch on. As said above, there are still other professions you can get into which you can care for other people that being on pain meds would be of less concern. i imagine social work or psychology might be possibilites. On the subject of methadone, I am thoroughly against nurse's practicng on methadone. That is a joke. Methadone is for active drug addicts, anyone who has been around methadone programs can tell you that methadone users are not fully functional people. I have known people personally, having worked in rehabs myself, who have quit heroin and methadone after years of abuse. if they can do it anyone can. Methadone is just legal drug abuse. I actually have no problem with people using methadone, but they should not be allowed to do alot of things, including drive a car or carry a professional healthcare license." END QUOTE
Wow...you obviously have never had chronic pain issues! You know, pain meds that work for one person don't always work for another. So which ever med the MD and patient find that works best is up to them. You are aware that Methadone is actually a legally prescribed pain med right? I have taken many pain seminars and have worked with a wonderful Physician who specializes in chronic pain and your attitude and the tone of your post is why so many people who need to take meds for chronic pain feel stigmatized, embarrassed and ashamed just for wanting to control their pain enough to function normally on a day to day basis.
What an absolute insult to anyone taking methadone for a legitimate medical issue that causes chronic pain (and there are many) to be compared to a "not fully functional" person who "is a drug addict" who takes methadone for a completley different reason. Do not lump all patients taking methadone into one big "drug addict" pile. That is just so ignorant in my opinion!
The Physician I worked for who specializes in chronic pain works tirelessly to talk and give seminars/insevices to other healthcare workers to help overcome these stereotypes. It is so disheartening to me to see this kind of post on this site especially when this thread is NOT about methadone and the OP is looking for advice!!

As I said, I am sorry. The "tone" of my post had no hidden agenda. I am entitled to my view. Just because i disagree doent mean there is some negative tone in my post . Like I said, relying on narcotics long term is absolutely ok for pain control. But it also disables you. Its the same way that a bilaterla btk amputee is never going to play pro footlball. I never said there is anything wrong with mnagaing chronic pain via narcotics. so i dont feel like i called , or even insinuated the OP was a drug addict. However if that ( long term narc use for pain control) is what you require, bedside healthcare isnt for you (imo).

Furtermore, I dont care for your judgmental "tone" can you not have a discusiion without losing your head? I dont feel like you are an expert on the matter. I should be allowed to say what i want without you blowing my hair back. Its called reespectfully or disrespectfully disagreeing. this is a public forum , and the OP is going to get more views then one that just supports him/her.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2006

Yes, they can ask you if you are on meds...many places do drug testing anyways, so you might as well come clean. Where I work, there is a list of approved pain management drugs and you have to have a doctors note every month to say you are still on it. Reason....narcs come up missing and you don't have that note and they do drug testing and you are positive, guess who the scrapgoat may end up being?
You need to find out your state laws, and then I'd go to another school...and you have to have this for RN? I've never heard of that before? Good Luck!

I live in the Raleigh-Durham area. If the OP is applying to Durham Tech's nursing program, then yes, they must be a CNA first. Same goes for the program at UNC Wilmington. I've also heard recently that UNC-Chapel Hill is toying with making it a requirement for their program as well.

Something else that seems stupid to me - I'm sure Durham Tech is using this as a "weedout" course, but since most of the people going to DTCC are strapped for cash and time to start with (lots and lots of working adults), it seems counterintuitive to make such a requirement. Plus their waiting list is RIDICULOUS, from what I hear (I go to DTCC for my prereqs).

Shannon RN 2be · Jan 12, 2006

I live near Raleigh so I have Fayettville or CCCC or Johnston Community College all the colleges require CNA before you can apply to the program. There is a waiting list to take CNA classes out here because such a high number of people are applying to these colleges.

I have called the Colorado Board of Nursing and have spoken to a few people who have told me that they do not specify what a nurse can take or not. They said they do have a question for nurses and that is if they have any medical condition that would prohibit them from providing care. There is another person they have referred me to so I can make sure they will accept my pain patch.

I have always felt that I could provide the best care to people. That’s what has driven me to become a nurse. I love to care for other people. I keep going back and forth thinking what else would I do if I can’t become a nurse, and I can’t think of anything that I would like to do besides nursing. It’s sad to me that someone wouldn’t want me to take care of them or their family simply because I am on medicine; however they are entitled to their opinion. I personally do not feel drugged or in anyway impaired. What I don’t understand is why I can go to school everyday and maintain a A to B average but they say I am so drugged I cant take care of someone? If I am so drugged how can I go to school and take care of my family?

Hugs :icon_hug:

Shannon

katfishLPN · Jan 12, 2006

In regard to NP2BE post 1/12/06 10:54am

Your own quote "methadone is for active drug addicts." this just isn't true so don't give me the "I don't care for your judgemental tone" garbage! There is nothing more judgemental than your own words! I am perfectly capable of having a dicussion and I understand we all have differing opinions... I also have mine! That is all I really have to say on the subject.