Narcotic Wasting Mistake

Trishalishus, PhD, CNS · Jul 24, 2009

So long as you are righteous, stay calm. Like a previous poster said, if the drug test comes back negative, and you offer to have further tests done - for a limited period - then surely things should cool down. Don't act too abject and hang-dog - if you are not guilty, you deserve respect and the opportunity to learn from a mistake made early in your career. Innocents can hold their heads high.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jul 24, 2009

I've done it before too...but thankfully I live close and was able to turn around and go back.

good luck.

Katnip, RN · Jul 24, 2009

I've done it. I called the hospital which was over an hour away and told them I was bringing it back and they documented it and told me to bring it in next shift. It was turned over to pharmacy who made sure there was actually morphine in there and the charge and I signed a paper.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jul 24, 2009

I think you should seek legal counsel. Protect your license. I would guess the hospital maybe reporting you to the Board of Nursing, you could get your license revoked. Find legal counsel as soon as possible.

southernbeegirl, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2009

I think you should seek legal counsel. Protect your license. I would guess the hospital maybe reporting you to the Board of Nursing, you could get your license revoked. Find legal counsel as soon as possible.

I agree with this 100%. I might even go one step further and see if the vial cant be tested for contents to prove the same drug is in there. Your hospital will probably fire you and report you to the BON. IMO, they have no choice. you need to be proactive and defend yourself. I would also, if it were me, pay for a drug screen via hair sample. This will show your past few months of nonuse of drugs.

some problems i foresee with your story in a legal case are that even though you tested negative on a drug screen, you had been on vacation, giving your body ample time to metabolize the drug.

Not saying that this applies to you but nurses that steal drugs use this as a common "excuse" for "forgetting" to waste drugs and probably 100% of the time, the fluid in the vial returned is NS.

You may think I am going to the extreme. I am an addict and i stole drugs from work. I did this very same scenario many times. "oops!...look what i forgot was in my pocket!".

I think your job is probably the least of your worries right now. If you get reported to the BON, you are going to have to PROVE your innocence. don't wait till the BON investigation. that could take months to years depending on your state. I would have that hair test done NOW. it's the only thing that will prove your innocence. the rest is just "your" side of the story.

WSU_Ally_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2009

I am so sorry this has happened to you... Many times i have gotten to my car, reached in my pocket and realized I still had something in my pocket that belonged at work... pens, note cards with pt info on it, my flash light, even vials of narcs... The way I have stopped my self from doing that, I take a graduate cylinder and put all my junk out of my pockets in it when I get to my locker and leave it at work. That way, I catch anything in my pocket before I leave the building, all I have to do is run back on the floor and have someone waste the med with me. Good luck, I hope everything goes well for you {{hugs}}

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Jul 25, 2009

mistakes happen , and the hospital is making a big deal out of this even if it isn't a big deal. i would get legal advice, i would almost bet the hospital is going to turn you over to the BON. i know the hospital i work for prosacutes and has a policy to turn you into the board ( just my hospital that i know of). i empty out my pockets before i leave work, i don't bring in a purse or any type of bag and make sure when i have nothing in my pockets ... remember in the world of nursing you are guilty unitl proven innocent. as harsh as this sounds..protect yourself at all costs...

please keep us posted on what happens, my prayers are with you...

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jul 25, 2009

I don't put narcotics in my pocket for just this reason, plus what if I dump out my pockets in front of a coworker and pull out a vial of Demerol?

I would also never have kept driving, wouldn't want a vial on my person at all. If it was 4hours back I would have been on the phone to my supervisor. I don't buy the story as it stands, but thats JMHO.

ChristyRN2009 · Jul 25, 2009

I guess I also don't see the big deal, but your work seems to be making a big thing out of it for some reason. Is there anything else that seems suspicious? Can they not audit their files and see that nothing has occurred like this before? Seems kind of fishy to me that they are making such a big deal. Seems really fishy to me that the cop reported you even though your husband is a cop and probably vouched for you being a nurse and should've been able to tell the other cop that you have the medicine with the intention of returning it. How much morphine was it??

Just all kinds of red flags for me, no offense OP. Similar things have happened to me and NO serious consequences have occurred because of it. Everyone makes mistakes but they are treating this as a crime without being arrested.

macbelleRN · Jul 25, 2009

I am going to try to answer the questions that I have seen arise in the discussion to the best of my ability. I would like to start by saying that what happened as told to you all is true. It may seem crazy and people ask, "why didn't she turn around?" I did not have a malicious thought about the drug. I figured, "eh I'll bring it back to work when I go." Obviously the fact that I was so far away and hadn't slept probably played a role in that. Once again though shoulda, woulda, coulda!

The cops that found my purse were from a small town (not the same area my husband is a cop in) and I told them the truth. They were satisfied and they are done with this as far as they are concerned. No charges will be pressed. My manager also believes that it was an honest mistake, and they have checked into records in pyxis, my locker and things like that finding absolutely nothing fishy. The medication was still in the vial. It was .5mg of morphine (not NS).

The only person that is now pushing the issue is the head of security at the hospital. To those of you that have admitted you have been an addict that is a huge and wonderful step. I am not an addict, and I am finding it incredibly frustrating to have people judge me and my situation. I welcome the prayers and suggestions, but the judgements are not needed. I feel awful to be in this situation and wish more than ever that I had just turned around. I am worried about my job and have been on suspension. Not only is this my source of income I absolutely love being a nurse! I have worked incredibly hard to become a nurse and would never jepordize it purposely! In my heart I know that this was not an error in judgement but a mistake. My only error in judgement was not turning around when I found it.

Again, thank you for your suggestions prayers and thoughts and if it makes people feel better to judge and make assertions then I guess that's what happens when we blog. We leave ourselves vulnerable. I wish everyone well and will keep you updated on the situation. Hopefully I'll know something later this week. :redpinkhe

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2009

This could happen to any one of us. Best of luck to you.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2009

I am going to try to answer the questions that I have seen arise in the discussion to the best of my ability. I would like to start by saying that what happened as told to you all is true. It may seem crazy and people ask, "why didn't she turn around?" I did not have a malicious thought about the drug. I figured, "eh I'll bring it back to work when I go." Obviously the fact that I was so far away and hadn't slept probably played a role in that. Once again though shoulda, woulda, coulda!
The cops that found my purse were from a small town (not the same area my husband is a cop in) and I told them the truth. They were satisfied and they are done with this as far as they are concerned. No charges will be pressed. My manager also believes that it was an honest mistake, and they have checked into records in pyxis, my locker and things like that finding absolutely nothing fishy. The medication was still in the vial. It was .5mg of morphine (not NS).
The only person that is now pushing the issue is the head of security at the hospital. To those of you that have admitted you have been an addict that is a huge and wonderful step. I am not an addict, and I am finding it incredibly frustrating to have people judge me and my situation. I welcome the prayers and suggestions, but the judgements are not needed. I feel awful to be in this situation and wish more than ever that I had just turned around. I am worried about my job and have been on suspension. Not only is this my source of income I absolutely love being a nurse! I have worked incredibly hard to become a nurse and would never jepordize it purposely! In my heart I know that this was not an error in judgement but a mistake. My only error in judgement was not turning around when I found it.
Again, thank you for your suggestions prayers and thoughts and if it makes people feel better to judge and make assertions then I guess that's what happens when we blog. We leave ourselves vulnerable. I wish everyone well and will keep you updated on the situation. Hopefully I'll know something later this week. :redpinkhe

To me...there is the source of your problem.

The Head of Security, in my opinion, should have no dog in the race.

He is SECURITY, he isn't a police officer. The police have already made their decision...your manager has already made hers.

I don't understand why it isn't stopping there. Maybe it's because all it takes to work security is a clean background check and a 6 week academy course, sometimes less than that.....people like that have NO FREAKING CLUE of what they are about to put at risk by making a mountain out of a molehill.