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.
You can be ticked all you like. The way the post I quoted was worded sounded like advice to go and convince a doc to give this person a fake diagnosis of depression so that they could access social services to which they have no right. Anyone who has been truly disabled and used the services when actually needed, and only for as long as needed, I have no beef with you and you should have none with me.
PS CNA does not equal stupid, nor does it necessarily mean young and inexperienced. I have a bachelor's degree and have been around the block a few times in life, so you might want to check your assumptions about what someone's level in this professional milieu necessarily means about their intellect or qualifications to comment.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
You can be ticked all you like. The way the post I quoted was worded sounded like advice to go and convince a doc to give this person a fake diagnosis of depression so that they could access social services to which they have no right. Anyone who has been truly disabled and used the services when actually needed, and only for as long as needed, I have no beef with you and you should have none with me.
PS CNA does not equal stupid, nor does it necessarily mean young and inexperienced. I have a bachelor's degree and have been around the block a few times in life, so you might want to check your assumptions about what someone's level in this professional milieu necessarily means about their intellect or qualifications to comment.
Just to be clear I was in no way offended by Red's comment. And I never assume anyone is stupid or lacking in knowledge because of what they do for a living. Early in my Nursing career I basically had my life saved by a psych tech who knew more about psych than I did. The economy really sucks and jobs are hard to come by - Perhaps someone is doing something like CNA because they really love the work! I for one have known many wonderful CNAs
I am a total research nut so I spend a lot of time researching things I hear to see if they are true. I also thought alcohol cooked of completely until I found out differently.
IMHO - When it comes to my nursing - the day I don't learn something new is the day I hang up my scrubs.
My biggest pet peeve is the amazing amount of cruelty and meaness among todays nurses. It's a caring profession after all and the family is also our patient. It doesn't matter how busy you are there is no excuse for being unkind.
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.
Probably not a unique story, and the program my help you realize that stress and pain can be helped with other modalities besides drugs. I would add that somebody said refusing a drug screen is looked upon as an admission of guilt by the board. Although true, you're federally protected from doing so and without any other evidence against you can beat that charge. Too late for that road but remember the program of sobriety can help your future.
Unfortunately the BON works under administrative law. Here is an example:
if my case went before the board (how my lawyer wanted it to) because they had but little evidence against me and couldn't have proven substance abuse, the next step would have been for my board to make a decision (have me get an evaluation, psych eval, and urine screens all at my cost). Even if my eval said I did not have a substance abuse history or problem the board could say that they believe I do. And that they want me under monitoring.
The next step would be me contesting, and asking for my case to go to the judge. The judge could then say that I don't need to do monitoring.
Then the final decision goes back to my board, they can choose to listen to the judge, or say that they just really feel I am a danger.
Then I could spend even more money to file against the boards decision. In the end probably having to file a suite. Just crazy.
There are loopholes for the board in cases of refusal to get urine screens- my board has it in their bylaws that if a nurse refuses a urine screen it is automatically counted as positive.
I always am in favor of a nurse seeking legal counsel, I did and I achieved my goal- to admit I was guilty without burying myself.
sboston20. I started my states program in December. As far as support for you and your plight as being a single parent etc, I am in the same boat and they could care less. You will get through this. I was fired by my employee while in recovery and my FMLA expired. I have finally found a job to return to nursing. Good luck. You can do this.
I just wanted to update everyone that had the courtesy to comment on my post a little while back. I obviously didn't go back to my job, not that they would have offered me my the position back after my suspension and my dity tox sceen. Anyways,i wanted to let you guys know what was going on. So far its been over a month since my positive drug test and I haven't heard anything from my last employer or the BON. So I don't know if im doing to much wishful thinking, but im going ahead and finding another nursing job. I can stay broke. I don't know how 1quick they act in these matters, but I would have thought that I would have gotten something in the mail by now. Maybe not. My heart still races when I get called for an interview. I feel like I have this huge secret thats going to get out or im going to run into one of my former co-worker. Im just beside myself. Needless to say, ive learned my lesson and my judgment is a soo much better. Im not sure what gonna happen..i guess I wont feel comfortable until its quite some time in between this drug screen and the number of months/years that ill be working. Any feedback will be greatly appreciatied.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Hi guys,
I just wanted to update everyone that had the courtesy to comment on my post a little while back. I obviously didn't go back to my job, not that they would have offered me my the position back after my suspension and my dity tox sceen. Anyways,i wanted to let you guys know what was going on. So far its been over a month since my positive drug test and I haven't heard anything from my last employer or the BON. So I don't know if im doing to much wishful thinking, but im going ahead and finding another nursing job. I can stay broke. I don't know how 1quick they act in these matters, but I would have thought that I would have gotten something in the mail by now. Maybe not. My heart still races when I get called for an interview. I feel like I have this huge secret thats going to get out or im going to run into one of my former co-worker. Im just beside myself. Needless to say, ive learned my lesson and my judgment is a soo much better. Im not sure what gonna happen..i guess I wont feel comfortable until its quite some time in between this drug screen and the number of months/years that ill be working. Any feedback will be greatly appreciatied.
If you are waiting for the BON to catch up with you it can take up to two years. They can move very slow but eventually they will catch up to you. That being said you are smart to try to get another job and work as much as you can. Make sure you are putting away some funds for the inevitable time when you may not be able to work for a year or two. Make sure you are not doing any illegal drugs or taking anyone else's prescriptions anymore you can't afford a DUI or another positive screen. I stand by my suggestion that you seek out AA/NA and start going to meetings get a sponsor and work on why you got into this predicament in the first place. It will go a long way with the board if you have some solid sobriety when they catch up to you. AA/NA is free and meeting happen all the time 24 hours a day so there's no excuse for not going.
If there is any possibility that substances are a problem for you get busy now. You may think you can simply avoid drinking or drugging but your playmates and playgrounds have to change as does your mindset or eventually you will use again. There is a saying in AA that if you go to a barbershop often enough eventually your gonna get a haircut.
You have to contact the BON ASAP! and I mean ASAP, or they will bring the plague down on you like you wouldn't believe, trust me, I know because I didn't report to the BON and they were with a lawyer, talking stuff like revocation of license (in ALL my states, I was a travel nurse with Compact, but they would still tell them just to rub salt in the wound). Get to them preferably before your employers do. I'm gonna tell you the hard truth: you will be getting probation for this, I bet my wedding finger on it, but you telling them openly and honestly (and early) could be the deciding factor of being on probation from five years to three. I sincerely wish the best for you and whatever happens, we get through it.
Not necessarly. This must be state dependant. If the OPs state, like minE, has a confidential diversion program, and she qualifies for it (which if she is telling us the whole thruth she most likely would) she can go through them, complete a treatment contact (depending on the state usually 3-5 years, with meetings, counseling, sometimes formal treatment at first, mental health treatment if it is deemed necessary, and drug testing) but it will be confidential. If she successfully completes the program, the board will never find out. That's what I am doing in my state, I am four months away from finishing a five year contract after I was caught diverting fentanyl. I had to go to an iop (then inpatient but only because I failed iop, and the program really worked with what my insurance would cover) then counseling and a psychiatrist (because I take meds for depression) two meetings a week, quarterly reports from counselor psychiatrist employer(if employed), a monthly fee and random drug tests Which I also had to pay for. I never had a lawyer. I have had to tell my employers about my contract during this time, and yes it has been difficult to find jobs (but not impossible, o have been continuously employed now at two different jobs for 4 years 4 months now and my current employer has been extremely supportive ie if I had to leave orientation for drug tests early it was no big deal and I have NEVER felt discriminated against in any way). HOWEVER: once my five years is up, assuming I don't screw up, it is over and done. There is nothing on my license, ever. The board never finds out. I never have to tell perspective employers again.
My point, as someone mentions below, is it is highly state dependant and many states have programs such as this. To the OP, I would find our what is available in your state. And yes, I did mention treatment and program and drug testing fees, this program has cost me money which had been very stressful especially when I was unemployed but they worked with nee and the thing is once I'm done I can get any job I want like this never even happened so I can afford to take a401k loan, bank loan, or whatever. I do recognize that I am younger than the OP and not a parent. But my program told me not to worry about the fees until I was working except the drug tests which were not to expensive abd I put those on a credit card. I thought I would never get a job, but I did. So, OP, all is not lost. You definitely will need to follow the very highest standard of behavior for a few years, but you will probably find at least some of the treatment helpful. Many, many of us have gotten through this as you will find in meetings. Some did give up nursing, many stayed with it. Talk to all and find out their reasons.
Grr, I was trying to quote the post that said to get a lawyer asap or something like that. I'm new at this. That's what I was responding to with my "not necessarily."
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Red Kryptonite
2,212 Posts
You can be ticked all you like. The way the post I quoted was worded sounded like advice to go and convince a doc to give this person a fake diagnosis of depression so that they could access social services to which they have no right. Anyone who has been truly disabled and used the services when actually needed, and only for as long as needed, I have no beef with you and you should have none with me.
PS CNA does not equal stupid, nor does it necessarily mean young and inexperienced. I have a bachelor's degree and have been around the block a few times in life, so you might want to check your assumptions about what someone's level in this professional milieu necessarily means about their intellect or qualifications to comment.