Need help please - Should I self report?

Nurses Recovery

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I really need some advice here. First and foremost, I DID NOT DIVERT anything, however I had to take a random due to suspicion and that test came back positive for a pretty bad illicit drug. Im not looking for harassment but I lost my job and was told I needed to self report. My question is even though the drug test positive was for an illicit drug (a pretty bad one) what will happen if I self report and should I even self report? Its not an addiction thing, recreational basically. I am really worried and confused. Someone please offer some advice! Additional info,, no Hx of any criminal problems, no Hx diverting. just pos drug screen for suspicion bc I was sleep deprived and showed up with an illicit drug.... please help!

Its hard to say what will happen- if the assessment shows that you are not an addict they might just give you a reprimand- that might come with a certain amount of time that they would want you drug tested. It also might come with discipline being put on your license for anyone to see when they look it up. I hope someone from SC can give a little insight to how the investigators feel about this, or it might be worth consulting an attorney that has worked with the board. For me a 4 year contract without a license branding was better than 2 years with discipline. That said I know a few people who have discipline on their records and have good jobs...

I must say that before I got addicted to opiates I would go out and party with friends- I did different substances to alter my mind hoping that I would have some insight that would "fix" me. I never got addicted to anything so I thought I was immune. Years later when exposed to opiates for the first time I really liked it, it made me confident, energetic, relaxed... it fixed me so to speak... unfortunately it was a band aid that hurt like hell when it was ripped off.

3 years later and I have learned a lot and no longer chase an easy escape, I realize that having an adult job means adult responsibilities, and I have improvement in just about every area in my life.

I know its hard to be introspective when you are in a situation like this, one usually just wants to escape the situation as quickly as possible. I don't think NA/AA are going to be right for you, nor would treatment because you don't think you have a problem (which might be totally true).

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I would expect that you will have to be monitored for some time at least. They will find it concerning that you chose to use a substance rather than cope in a healthy way. I Think a lawyer is a good idea, and just expect the worst, be happy about the best. We're here for you.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
Twoyearnurse said:
I would expect that you will have to be monitored for some time at least. They will find it concerning that you chose to use a substance rather than cope in a healthy way. I Think a lawyer is a good idea, and just expect the worst, be happy about the best. We're here for you.

Right. It's probably a good idea to at least consultant an attorney if u can.

When I got caught diverting at work I was terminated and lost my insurance. I had no idea how to pay for my treatment and everything else. When I got my packet I called around to the treatment centers about beds and financial arrangements. I ended up going to a state run inpt program a few hours from where I lived. I was there 29 days and actually didn't have to pay a cent - thank goodness because I had NOTHING saved or put back. I went to see the addictionologist an hour or so away from the rehab facility and that was also covered. I'm been clean and sober since August 26th of 1999 and have learned so many things - I try to repay the kindness the staff at the rehab showed me and make a donation every year.

Good luck - keep us posted if u don't mind! Hope everything works out.

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Thank you all, I really do appreciate your aid and insight. Ive come to the basis that what's going to happen will happen but I do pray that my license will not be taken away. I will do my best to keep everyone updated and 1sttime, thank you so much, as well as everyone else, who has commented here for my behalf. I don't really have a comfort system and I must say that you guys and this site ahs been the most comforting road through this so far. thank you again to all who have reached out. I pray for the best and I really think I just had a "young, new generation" screw up but I know I have to be accountable for it. Hopefully it wont result in hurting my licensure however. Again, thank you all and don't be surprised if I reach out during all of this. You all have been very helpful.

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Before your insurance lapses look at your list of places you can get assessment and treatment through you peer assistance program and get going asap. I was able to start treatment and my 90/90 days of meetings within a week of getting fired. I was on Cobra insurance for my last month of outpatient treatment. I did not divert either, but am a recovering addict. So diverting isnt the worse thing a person can do. Its all the emotional things that we deal with and usually thats what lands us where we are anyway. Be proactive in moving forward vou can do this. Many have gone before us, and are continuing their nursing careers better nurses and have happiness we never dreamed of. Life is never going to be perfect but oh its so much better! Praying for you!

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Hello Sionainne

I cannot say that it did not confuse me at the time this happened either, one would think that a negative screen and no clear evidence of diverting would be enough to clear one of any allegations. I even permitted hospital security to search my vehicle, my bag, and my home if they opted which they did not. As stated in my intervention.... the HR and Risk management people gave me two choices. either self-refer and "It would go away" which in retrospect was only a half-truth.Like the Starship Enterprise I was on my way to a "Five-year" Mission and just did not know it yet..or undergo investigation and be "Perp-walked" out of the hospital and undergo investigation from the Florida BON and most likely earn a five year IPN referral also. I chose to self refer. At that time my IPN case manager intake person ******* (I am sure if you know IPN you will know who I am talking about here but I will only use last initials because they are only doing thier jobs) Informed me I would have to have an evalyuation done by an addictionologist at USF named ********...I will name her she is a doctor and her specialty is public record.

Dr. *****, after sitting on my report for a month while she was on vacation determined in the intrest of public safety it would be best if I submit to nine weeks of IOP treatment and then five years of IPN Monitoring (Now granted, I went into my appointment with Dr. **** angry, hurt, and confused...which when meeting with a psychologist is akin to handing a zippo lighter to a pyromaniac and she burned me with it) I have since found a poker-face is the best affect for meeting with the head shrinker crowd. A few years later I did meet her at an event and she informed me that she will always "Decide cases based on protecting public safety" and that if there was even a minute suspicion that would be enough to green-light a referral to IPN. At this time I can understand that rationale having been in IPN for almost five years I have met some folks who can really "Work a lie". This is not meant to imply that everyone lies but some do and because of that small percentage of bad apples the whole basket must be tossed. The ironic thing is that my experience has been for the most part a positive thing and I have been able to help several group members through my connections the opportunity to acheve a second chance.

Long story short, if you choose Dr. **** and go in angry you are going to IPN

My point is, that in my experience the BON will always refer first and ask questions later. You can fight it, but I can tell you in my five years I have never seen anyone win anything but a huge legal bill and investigation fees. Having an RN License is a privilege, not a right...therfore the ability to possess one is decided by the folks in charge of granting them.

I am sorry.... I do not mean to sound harsh I treasure this group, and all who participate.

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Specializes in Emergency Room, Trauma ICU.

I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I just cannot imagine doing all of that if I was innocent. There's no way in heck I would accept 5 years of hell for something I didn't do. The BON in your state is seriously screwed up if this is SOP.

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I don't know I temper what has happened with the knowledge that sometimes you might not like where you end up but regardless that is where you are, So I have worked with the recovering nurses in my group and have been fortunate enough to be able to find them jobs and re-build lives. Once I accepted the "first step" the things that used to anger me do not have that power anymore... I accept life as it comes, and try to make the best of this situation and help others in return for the help I had been given in the past. Really it's all good.

But yes...our Govenor is one of the biggest medicare crooks in the US so of course the BON is messed up :-) I would think twice about re-location to the "Gun-shine" State and in 95 days when my contract is satisfied I am moving to somewhere a little more civilized.

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