Need Advice Regarding Complaint to BON

[1288]

I received a notice of a formal complaint to BON regarding a Pt. that I was taking care of. They fell 35 - 45 min. into the night shift after I had given report to the oncoming night RN and had left the building. They're saying I left the bed alarm off and caused the fall. The next day I was told about the fall....the night RN said what had happened but then "played it off" saying that the Pt. was fine.

Additional thing to note....
- I saw that the Pt.'s family had been turning off their family member's bed alarm off, while they were visiting due to the annoying noise. I educated the family on the dangers of continuing to do so.

I never heard anything else until the end of my shift. Then while driving home I got a call from my recruiter saying they were canceling my contract.

Never had anything like this happen to me....I'm completely clueless on how to proceed. What's going to happen to me? Am I going to lose my license? According to the letter I got in the mail I have 30 days to submit a written statement.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

EdieBrous said:

There might very well be more to come, but, again, the point is that the family will not get money from a nursing board complaint which is what she was writing about. And again, it is more likely that the hospital reported her to the board than the family.

Okay you win,. You have the last word. Now can we get back to the OP?

[EdieBrous, BSN, MSN]

Whatever, not sure where the hostility is coming from.  I was just clarifying things - sorry you take such exception to that.  I completely agree with you that she is canned because travelers/agency nurses etc. are always thrown under the bus and that charting the conversation with the family would have been helpful.  I just think it is more likely that the report came from the hospital for that reason.  Take care.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

OP. Any updates? What did you decide regarding an attorney. Wondering how much this has cost you and if you can still work.

[Ckahdkwo, BSN, MSN]

IncognitoRN2013 said:

I'm hoping that I understand correctly that you just posted this Thursday 10-19-2023. If so, yes I'm typing this in all caps HIRE AN ATTORNEY EXPERIENCED IN DEALING WITH THE BON IMMEDIATELY!! Do not even consider replying to your employer or the BON about this without an attorney. Both will hang you out to dry! I am speaking from experience. I have a permanent reprimand on my nursing license from 2 years ago. It was placed 2 years ago for an accident that occurred 4 years ago. The accident occurred while performing routine nursing care according to the standard of care with approved equipment. I won't go into the whole story. I will say it was not a severe incident. The patient required 5 stitches. My career has very likely ended very prematurely. I was a 22 year BSN when it happened and am a 26 year BSN now. I have 37 years of healthcare experience. I've never had any kind of investigation, reprimand or problem of any other sort with any license/certification I've ever held. I have been turned down for so many jobs.

I currently run out of money in about 3 weeks. I have no income, have animals, a mini farm and am in the midst of a bitter divorce. My divorce attorney also just told me that he told my husband's attorney that I am unemployed (I'd told him not to) and notified me that he's retiring and won't be able to complete my case.

I've contacted 2 law firms experienced with dealing with the BON and both say there is no chance of getting a reprimand removed from a nursing license and they wished I'd hired them once notified of the complaint against me.

If I can't get a job by the time I run out of money, honestly, my life is game over. I'm absolutely terrified. If I have to give up my animals, I have no other reason to exist. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE get an attorney asap! Good luck!!

My heart breaks reading this. We are still humans. Probably why nurses have one of the highest rates of stress, depression, and substance abuse. This was a long time ago, but that disheartening trauma, and devastation doesn't fade with time I'm sure. I'm so sorry you had to experience that🤍