Looking for advice dealing with BON and NPDB

Published

I’m trying to see if anyone has went through the same situation. I was reported to the BON for diverting narcotics. I heard from the investigator from the BON and he told me the best thing to do was surrender my LPN license. I didn’t do it and recently I received a letter from NPDB stating I can no longer work in LTC Due to misappropriation of a residents property. I still haven’t heard from the BON regarding my license. With this being reported to the NPDB will I be able to get a nursing job anywhere? I’m not working in nursing at the moment and won’t be until all this is over. In this situation, should I expect my license to be revoked, suspended, or a chance of just probation? I’ve only been a nurse for 2 years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Women's Health, LTC.

Contact an attorney. TAANA.org is going to be the place to start. Do not surrender your license. Talk with an attorney and do not answer ANY more questions from the BON or an investigator.

Most importantly, take care of yourself. If you need help with drugs and/or alcohol, get it. Whatever you do, please stop using any drugs or alcohol. If you can, attend some meetings and get documentation. Right now, InTheRooms.com is offering verification of attendance for online meetings. Also try SMART recovery.

Stay here for support, as well, and hang in there. You can get through this!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

While dealing with all of this from the OLTC there is now an officer contacting me from the town it happened in and is wanted me to come in for a polygraph. Is this something that is common? Maybe a scare tactic? Anyone actually have criminal charges after something like this or just dealt with BON?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
3 hours ago, Sbhope said:

While dealing with all of this from the OLTC there is now an officer contacting me from the town it happened in and is wanted me to come in for a polygraph. Is this something that is common? Maybe a scare tactic? Anyone actually have criminal charges after something like this or just dealt with BON?

Did you contract with a lawyer?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I haven’t been able to afford one at the moment. But I will as soon as possible.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
22 minutes ago, Sbhope said:

I haven’t been able to afford one at the moment. But I will as soon as possible.

This is one of those situations where even if you kind of can't afford a lawyer, you really need to find a way to afford one - your livelihood and future is on the line. You can read previous threads on this forum that show many people regretting not obtaining a lawyer in similar situations. If at all feasible, do yourself a favor and obtain a lawyer. Good luck.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
2 hours ago, Peterpan said:

Do you have malpractice insurance?

No I do not.
And I know I should get a lawyer but at the moment I’m not working in nursing and with covid my hours are cut down to part time. So it’s not possible right now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, you might want to look into agency CNA during this covid crisis so you can save up. Also, unemployment insurance might be a good idea since your hours are limited. Good luck to you, keep us updated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
19 hours ago, Sbhope said:

I haven’t been able to afford one at the moment. But I will as soon as possible.

OP you're asking a bunch of strangers on the internet for advice and we're not allowed to give particulars, but there is no way in h-e-doublehockeysticks that I would face this without a lawyer. It's not just your license on the line. It sounds like it may be your freedom.

Malpractice insurance is like car insurance - you have to have it before you get into a wreck. So you don't need to spend time worring about that right now.

Best of luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg & Psych.

I went through this 2 1/2 years ago. Everyone told me to get a lawyer also. I didn't have a job, an only child of blue collar parents and my grandparents have all passed. I contacted a lawyer here in Indiana. $4,600. I LITERALLY did not have the money and nobody will give an unemployed person a loan. So I understand when you say you don't have the money for a lawyer that means you don't have the money!

Yes, my state pressed charges, I ended up with a misdemeanor and was put on probation for a year. I had a court appointed lawyer. Due to above circumstances I went in front on the BON without a lawyer. I ended up in my states monitoring program for 3 years. Honestly I don't see how a lawyer could of helped me. I was guilty. I was addicted to pain pills and was diverting pills for 6 months. I'm grateful to still have my license and continue to do what I love. I deserved what I got and found a great therapist in the process.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

If you truly are innocent, I would agree with others: work your butt off, save up & get an attorney to clear your name. The monitoring programs are mostly a BS way to rake in $$ for the states (in my opinion) and place everybody into the same group, with contracts and requirements. If you are truly innocent, you need to determine what evidence they have. Do NOT trust the investigators, or admit to anything without some type of legal counsel. Is there a low-cost attorney in the area, sometimes in less urban areas?

I had an investigation (at the county level) & criminal court proceedings, but never had a polygraph. Like Indiana, I had a public defender & now have a criminal charge on my background check. Fines, probation, etc etc. Again, that was just criminal court, which moves SLOW but faster than the BON, in my experience.

I admit I don't know a lot about NPDB, other than in my case, I've received notification of changes to my nursing license (probation, etc) when the BON has reported these changes to them. But I never worked in LTC or with the OLTL, so I'm not sure how that may affect future employment options. I know you said the BON suggested to surrender your license and the NPDB said you can no longer work in LTC, but if you do a state license search, what is your license status? Active, suspended? If still active, you may be able to work as an LPN & try to rake in some $$$.

Sorry I don't have anything better to share/offer. It may seem impossible, but you really want an attorney to fight for your innocence & license.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion