LPN for 15years with no complaints\ reporting on my license.

[sboston20]

Hi,

I've been in the medical field for over 23years. Been an LPN for 15years. I never had a negative mark on my licence. I just went back to work after being out puff work for over a year because i broke my ankle in three different places and dislocated it. I started this new job and just got off orientation less than a Week before this incident. I had a rough night after a three day stretch of work...oh,also i startedd working 11pm-7:00am for the firs. time ever, and it was a challenge to say the least. So i came into work after two days off and immediately was asked if i knew that i was supposed to file paperwork on 11-7 upstairs...( i was working on another floor this night) that enraged me because i was at work till 9:00 am on the morning that this particular nurse was questioning me about. So i went on to tell her ( as other nurses were around) that i did everything i could that night considering there was 40+ patients, one nurse..me, and two nursing aides. Needless to say, i was swamped. So apparently whilI was ranting and raving, i told her on my way home that Monday morning i got pulled over because i was so tired. The police were very nice and let me have someone come get me and leave my car there. Well apparently somebody went and told the administrator add the nurse educator what i said and everything went left...and i mean left. So on Thursday morning after my overnight shift i got called into the office. The administrator and nurse educator started to attack my nursing abilities, my ability to work 11pm to 7am and low and behold the morning i got pulled over was a concern to them. They both left the room and i will admit, i was scared ****. Why??? Because i went out with my girlfriends Tuesday night to celebrate my friends divorce, and my return to work after being home over a year and had a few drinks and did one tiny line of cocaine....i know, bad decision. Also since i returned to work my ankle had been swelling up and killing me. I'm not on any meds, but many girlfriend had a few Tylenol #3 and offered me one. So dancing and having a good time, i didn't wanna be a Debbie downer and i went on with my night. After doing what i did, i didn't think about it again...until that dreaded morning. So, they asked me to give them a urine and i did it....i should of said no and let them fire me. But inn my head i had something to prove, what, i don't know. So i left after my urine and Fled to my car to cry. I went about the rest of my day and impatiently waiting for the bad news. Finally my phone rang and she in the sweetest voice ever asked if i was working tonight and could i come in and sign my competency papers before 4:00pm. I agreed. So when i got in there, What she really wanted was my signature on the drug test i took earlier in the morning. Surprise Surprise. Anyways, again i could have opted out and of course i didn't. Needless to say they suspended me until the results come back. It's been a Week today and i called the lab yesterday. Drug screen came back positive for cocaine and morphine (codeine changes to morphine. ..great.) haven't heard from my work, But the day after i submitted my urine, i resigned and explained my side of the situation. So here's my question...what happeneds next? Is there a chance they won't contact BON?? I'm not an addict and I'm 42y.o. honestly to Do a 5year program...I'd end up with My licence back at the age of 47. What should i expect and what should my next step be? Thank you guys. Please no scolding..i think ive done a good job at that on my own.

[Darby71]

I think your screwed.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

You are going to get reported and placed in a program. Congrats! /s

For what it's worth, refusing to test probably would have got you reported and placed in a monitoring program since it is basically considered an admission of guilt.

[catmom1, BSN, RN]

There will be consequences for this and it is up to you to decide if you want to suck it up and work through this or leave nursing for good.

Catmom :paw:

[Twoyearnurse]

Yes, your board should be notified. You've got a couple of options here- one turn yourself into your BON, or two- wait for them to contact you. This is a mandatory reportable offense to the BON so I would not count on them not turning it in.

A monitoring agreement does not mean an end to your career for five years- it means you will continue your career while under monitoring. It is expensive and humiliating at times, but it's not he worst thing to have ever had happened in my life.

I know you must be desperately afraid right now. Deep breath, you have some time before you plan your next move.

[sboston20]

So, now I'm more afraid than ever. Is it 100% reported as addiction when something like this happens? I feel as though i was targeted ave i know there's no doubt aboutit that i was dirty. But i. Was also off the clock. Im so upset. Im 42y.o. and if i goy through this 5year inteintensive course...ill be 46. Basically coming at the end of my career. Ive been told that since its a first offense there maybe some leniency. If that isnt the case, i dont have a lot of money to go through this. If i was to hand up my scrubs for another career what on my part would have to be done? Im so depressed that i just dont think i have it in me mentally or physically.

Thank you for all your comments.

[Twoyearnurse]

There is hope here, I know it's stressful. You may get evaluated for addictions and in my state some contracts are only two years. I know it sounds awful but it is doable.

You don't have to hang up your scrubs, and you can find a job in nursing when under contact. You can also do what I've done- find a job that uses your degree and experience outside of nursing.

We pay to play as the saying goes. Keep hanging around here as you go through this, there are lots of experienced people here. Some with addictions like me, and some who practiced poor judgement and got caught for it. My heart goes out to you.

[Omaapecm, ASN, RN]

You will definitely be reported and have to do a program. It's really not that bad. I've learned a lot from my program, counseling ect ect. I hope it all works out for you.

[Red Kryptonite]

No one goes from zero to cocaine. You have a substance problem and until you admit that, you won't make much progress.

[Psychcns]

You used cocaine which is illegal. You would likely benefit from counseling. If you work as a nurse you can never use illicit substances. Try to find some peer support. Have you attended any 12 step programs. You might find help there. Your career is not over but you may want support or legal counsel to contact the BON in your state. Best wishes.

[1sttime]

When I was first caught it was terrible- you don't know what is going to happen- there is little support... If you are like me there will be many days of doing nothing, many days of feeling depressed.

Try to get a free consultation with at least two attorneys that specialize in State Board issues.

My BON wanted me to be in a recovery program (Not just 12 step but a rehab program)- Of course if you go to a place that offers inpatient they will likely say you need inpatient (So I went to a treatment center for my evaluation that only offered outpatient). They had to be on a board approved list of providers.

I would also recommend getting a job doing something else- at the very least for the healthcare benefits. I did not do this and had too much time on my hands to think. You might be surprised too at what it is like to work in an environment that does not involve taking care of sick people.

As far as what led up to getting caught it does not matter- you are not a bad person- you have just taken a major fall and are going to have to figure out how to get back on your feet. You can do it, just one step at a time... At first you will have to force yourself to do things, the numbness lasts a while.

I chose to do the monitoring (non-disciplinary) for 4 years, vs 2 years with my license having a black mark on it. I know some people who are just fine that have discipline on their license; you can also walk away and start a new job that does not take a license. Being monitored is hard, you are basically on probation, but many people have been able to walk down this road before and have come out the other side better for it.

Get outside when you can and take a walk, eat, drink water, sleep, spend time with friends, and (even though I don't agree with the whole program) go to some different 12 step meetings and find one that fits so you can vent. Forgive yourself for this, this will not be written in the history books...

[Twoyearnurse]

I just saw your question about if you wanted to hang it all up what would you have to do.

You would have to tell your BON that you voluntarily surrender your license. Or you would have to wait for them to revoke it.

Going through monitoring to keep your license is a choice. Like I said before, I have a wonderful job outside of nursing but I have chosen to continue my monitoring agreement because I want to keep that career path open.

You can always choose to not do it, but you are early in the game, you'll have to wait and see what options are open to you. 1sttime is right- find a job- you'll go nutty with too much time on your hands, a lot of this is a waiting game.