Narc count---missing meds...

Nurses General Nursing

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ok, i am ashamed of myself. i feel awful and scared. i work at a surgical center that is growing. new people left and right. we used to be very small. our narc counts are sloppy. i mostly push fenanyl and versed all day. the amounts we give are crazy sometimes. we will count alone, then later get someone to sign...well, today....i forgot to count in the AM and at the end of my shift there was 7 missing fentanyl and 3 versed. of course fentanyl is the only one regulated by DEA but 7 vials? this is alot of meds. i am in huge trouble. i should just hand over my license? we all leave the room with meds out. sometimes drawn up already. (not guilty of that one though) and we all co- sign later....the DON doesnt even know what we need to do yet. i am sure the DEA will need to be notified. i offered to pee on the spot. i feel like the worse nurse ever. but the question is....who the hell took it? theres no way i could have screwed up 7 times in one day. will i really lose my license if its not found? will i get fired on the spot? i just got another raise for Gods sake. never been written up. i just feel like i am losing it. so ashamed at how sloppy we have been. now i am feeling so stinking stupid and worried. :uhoh21::cry:

Specializes in Mental and Behavioral Health.

i suppose arelle is right, i should have people help me look for it. i been keeping it quiet b/c i didnt want people to think i was so bad...

Listen Michele! Waiting and keeping this quiet is just compounding the problem. Call, go up there, and get everything out in the open NOW.

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Specializes in Surgical Center/OR.

looks like i might be suspended, i get to dwell on it all weekend. they reported to DEA and now i have no idea about board of nursing....will they find out? great! do i get a lawyer?

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If you didn't count when you came on, then how do you know it didn't go missing on the previous shift? You're taking an unnecessary fall here. Of course the practices you've been following aren't great, but the bottom line is the shift before you could be just as responsible. If you know you didn't take this stuff (not implying just saying) then you need to go speak with your DON. Don't sacrifice yourself for everyone else..

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Rehab, HH.

Sounds like someone was busy the shift before. Try and track it down.

I can bet some changes are coming your way - for the better.

Don't be the fall guy on this, it goes all the way to the top!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC, Rehab, HH.

Oh sorry, just saw where you are suspended. I am sorry.

I am sure they will do an investigation. Which I hope would include checking charts and documentation. And interviewing coworkers. They will find the source. I bet it was one or two nurses who forgot to sign off.

Keep your head up.

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Specializes in ICU.
looks like i might be suspended, i get to dwell on it all weekend. they reported to DEA and now i have no idea about board of nursing....will they find out? great! do i get a lawyer?

If you even THINK you might possibly need a lawyer, get a lawyer. You will want one familiar with nursing licensure issues, not a "run-of-the-mill" criminal defense attorney. For nurse attorneys in your area, you might want to check out http://www.taana.org .

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Specializes in Surgical Center/OR.

no, i didnt get suspended YET , it was mentioned as a possibility. i work at a sx center. there is only one shift. the only person that has used those meds are me...thats why i get lazy and figure...yea, it was right last night....i know it still is....ha. thats where i went wrong.

i wish i never told them i didnt count. i was hoping for more support from my DON. he never checked charts. never did any of the things i read on this site. makes me mad. did i mention the combos are written on inside of cabnits that narcs are stored. come onnnn cant stop thinking of it. my husband is getting mad b/c i cant let it go. damn men! (sorry male nurses....had to rant)

thanks for lawyer site. i might check it out. if they call the board....i will fight for it. i just cant imagine what DEA does with this? my DON said "guess we will wait and see huh?" nice!

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so what happened to you?

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Specializes in Neuro, Neuro ICU.

I just read this now too, and am also curious how things turned out for you! I hope they turned out okay!

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