Misappropriation of narcotics/addiction

nurse.etc · Mar 30, 2019

First off, welcome. You've come to the right place and it is so great that you've taken steps towards recovery. A lawyer who specializes in your states professional license defense is a great help, if you can afford it. If you are in a state that offers a monitoring program, enrolling voluntary generally looks better than if you wait until you are forced to by the board. You might not be able to keep your license unmarked at this point, but getting put with probation (verses suspension/revoked) is more likely if you enter your states program.

As far as responding to letters keep this in mind... anything you write can (and often is) sent to people that will strap you with felony charges of possession/theft/falsifying records/ etc.. You have the right to remain silent and to not self incriminate. Use that. Dont hand them the golden ticket of your guilt, because if you think pouring your heart out to the board will help them find sympathy, you're mistaken. They're goal is to protect the public. The best thing you can do to show them you also want to keep the public safe is to enter their recovery program and work the steps.

Expect the next few years to be endless hoops to jump through, drug screens, meetings, and reports. You'll likely have to go in front of board or at least meet with a representative and find a resolution to the issue, but that's a future battle. The boards are slowwwww. Worry about staying sober and getting into a monitoring program ASAP.

Vanessa48 · Mar 30, 2019

Thank you for your help. How do I look for a monitoring program? I'm currently in an aftercare program with weekly monitoring. They have me on camera taking them. I don't see any way around that. Do I still remain silent?

nurse.etc · Mar 30, 2019

Call your states BON or look online at there website. A professional license lawyer would also have that information. If you want to post your state, I am sure this community would be willing to share any information they have. Just keep in mind that it is a public forum and anyone can see it.

As far as having you on camera... we cant really give law advice here, but the more you willingly give them as evidence, the easier the case becomes. Both my license lawyer and my criminal lawyer told me not to admit to anything. Just acknowledge that you received the complaint and show up of you are called in front of the board. I did tell them that I had enrolled in my states recovery program. Others on this board have given a written play by play of what they did and ended up arrested and facing license discipline. It doesn't usually end up better by confessing to the investigators. But again, just my opinion, not giving legal advice.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2019

We cannot give legal or medical advice (as has been said) - if the previous posters haven't convinced you to lawyer up, though remember that what you say can and will be used against you.

I wish you the best.

Forest2 · Apr 2, 2019

Lawyer always.

chadprepton, ADN · Apr 7, 2019

Nah, recovery first **** the lawyer, **** the license. Decide if you are an addict and need help. Then talk to the lawyer.

Indiana RN, BSN · Apr 7, 2019

You can get a lawyer and get clean at the same time. I love being a nurse and keeping my license was a big motivator on getting clean. Getting clean means you will have a wonderful life to look forward to and a part of that was continuing to be a nurse.

Persephone Paige, ADN · Apr 7, 2019

I wish I had a crystal ball and could've seen past and future. I was so overcome by shame that I allowed myself to be railroaded into a one size fits all program. Monitoring didn't get me clean... I was clean for nearly two years prior to the contract I got into. I thought that if I fought against monitoring that the BON would think I didn't want to be clean. Nothing could be further from the truth!

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2019

I’ve been around nurses fighting addiction both IRL and on this site and I think that when it comes to these programs, the WORST thing you can do is roll over and let them crucify you. Because they will. They have ZERO interest in your recovery, be it from substance use, alcohol, mental health or anything else.

I rolled over because I was under the very very mistaken impression that they were there to help. I have been wrong about many things in my life but boy, that one was a doozy!!!!! I got slapped with a label that took a few years to shed (finally did, I think). I was denied the treatment I was desparetly asking for and pushed into treatment I did not need and was very psychologically damaging.

Anyone fighting this fight that finds true recovery during this, it is in spite of the hell that these programs put you through. If you had case managers or monitors that were helpful, then you were fortunate. Most don’t.

For those of us in nursing who tout multidisciplinary approaches....well this takes a multidisciplinary approach. You have to tend to the illness of addiction, defend your license and defend yourself against charges if there are any.

Like treating diabetes, for example....put patient on a diet, if that does not work, forget the diet, use oral meds, if that doesn’t work, forget oral meds, go to insulin, doesn’t work, forget insulin, sign ‘me up for a pancreas transplant. Sounds stupid. Doesn’t it? This is the same thing. Ignoring the issue of having to face the board and the probability of having to do a program is simply dragging out the process by years and has a high likelihood of doing more damage to a career and one’s mental health than what got them in this boat to begin with.

Its just my opinion, but especially if this instance of “getting caught” is the frying pan upside the head that some people need to get themselves help, then it needs to be dealt with all,at once. Just don’t rely on any BON sanctioned diversion program for that help.

FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2019

On 4/7/2019 at 2:24 AM, chadprepton said:
Nah, recovery first **** the lawyer, **** the license. Decide if you are an addict and need help. Then talk to the lawyer.

This is a dated way of looking at recovery. The whole idea that people need to suffer more to get clean (hitting bottom) and that being clean should be the sole point of attention doesn't work.

It's about getting well, not just getting clean. Getting well means handling and nurturing all aspects of your life: social, romantic, legal, work, spiritual. You are right to protect yourself from harsh consequences. To get a lawyer, to try to keep your license, to stand up and fight for yourself as best as you can. That's recovery.