Need Help-scared And Worried!

[jackson]

I'VE BEEN AN RN SINCE 1983. I'VE WORKED 15 YEARS IN GERIATRICS AND MOST RECENTLY 3 YRS IN MED-SURG. I'VE ALWAYS HAD GOOD EVALUATIONS AND NO PROBLEMS IN MY JOBS. WELL THE HOSP. PHARMACY REPORTED TO THE NURSE MANAGER THAT I WAS GIVING A HIGH AMOUNT OF NARCOTICS AND APPARENTLY THAT GOT THEM TO QUESTION A PT WHO DENIED GETTING HER MED TO ONE MANAGER, AND COULDN'T REMEMBER IF SHE TOOK HER MED TO ANOTHER MANAGER (SHE WAS AN ELDERLY LADY). ANYWAYS, THE HOSP REPORTED ME TO THE BON. AFTER THEIR INVESTIGATION ALL THEY COULD COME UP WITH WAS A FEW MINOR DOCUMENTATION ERRORS (THAT EVERY NURSE MAKES!) AND ALL I HAD TO DO WAS TAKE A CLASS. FOR THE RECORD I DID NOT DIVERT ANY NARCOTICS!!! MY PROBLEM IS THIS-I WAS SO SOURED ON NURSING THAT I'VE STAYED HOME FOR A YEAR. NOW I'M READY TO GO BACK. THE HOSPITAL ACCEPTED MY RESIGNATION BUT THREE DAYS LATER FIRED ME. HOW DO I EXPLAIN ALL THIS IN JOB INTERVIEWS? CAN THE HOSPITAL TELL A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER THAT I WAS FIRED? DO I NEED TO EXPLAIN ALL MY DEALINGS WITH THE BON TO MY NEW EMPLOYER?

SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP! I FEEL SO WORRIED AND TONGUE TIED! I LOVE NURSING AND WANT TO GO BACK!!:rotfl:

[kids]

Many employers confirm nothing but dates of employment, job title, wages and eligible for rehire and it is not uncommon for an employer to not let resigning staff work out their notice if they have a replacement.

Lying is never the right thing to do but telling the truth is not the same as "spilling your guts".

When asked why you left, would it be much of a stretch to say you were uncomfortable in the environment (or you no longer wished to work there) so you resigned When asked what you did for the last year, you stayed home with your kids.

You might call your BON and do a license check (most have an automated system where you enter the license number and a SSN) and see that the report on your license says. I'll bet money it says there is a "closed complaint with no disiplinary action taken" on your record. This is a GOOD thing, it means that someone made a complaint and after investigation by the board you were "cleared".

If there is a closed complaint on your license it is NOT the end of the world. I have 2 complaints on my record that the BON identifies as "closed without action" complaints on my license, (both were malicous with one involving a glucometer that was later identified as faulty by the manufacturer). My BON does NOT disclose the details of the complaint on an employer enquirery and I have NEVER been asked about it by any of the 4 employers I have had since they occured.

The sad fact is that nurses who do steal drugs often bounce from job to job unreported, sometimes for years before they are caught because employers don't report them and don't tell potential employers. If you have been 100% truthful in your story I wish you the best, you will be amazed at how easy it will be to find a job. If you have not been truthful please reconsider returning to nursing until you have your problem under control. (not hinting at an accusation, I have no reason to doubt you, I'm just CYA)

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

I would talk to a lawyer who knows about nursing and employment law before you do anything else.

For the record, I had a job in LTC where I gave more narcs than other nurses did. When questioned about this, I was able to show that other nurses were giving meds that they had not documented properly. Also, I have training specific to pain mgmt., having been a hospice nurse. I know that I was addressing the res' pain issues more than some of the other nurses were. I had documented every pain med I gave, pt s/s, effect, etc.

Thankfully, my employer was satisfied, and thanked me for my nursing care.