New to Recovery program and not good news

Nurses Recovery

Published

So I'm new into the program, maybe two to three weeks, I've had one drugs test 2 weeks ago on a Thursday before Presidents' Day. We had drinks on New Years. Then my husband and I had A weekend getaway with the kids this past weekend, we had an amazing dinner, hotel and wine. We had a few. It's been a hard year for all of us. Between my medical issues and my husband and becoming disconnected we needed this. I'm sure I'll have a drug test tomorrow and I'm sure if I get Tested for the longer etho use it will show up, so what happens now in the state of SC. I've not even met with the investigator yet and was made to go into this program without a diagnosis. I hate That I made the mistake but it finally wasn't lingering over me and I was Able to relax with my husband which we haven't done in years. What will happen to me?? Any and all advised would be appreciated. Thank you

Mimi,

I couldn't agree more. I self-reported a DUI so there is no issue of confidentiality here. However, the idea of a medical professional violating the rights of a patient and reporting that patient seems to me to be a clear violation of the law, ethics and any sort of notion of privacy. I pray that some poor soul subject to this gross violation of their rights sues the hell outta the people who did the reporting and the BONs that acted on what should be protected medical information

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Mimi,

I couldn't agree more. I self-reported a DUI so there is no issue of confidentiality here. However, the idea of a medical professional violating the rights of a patient and reporting that patient seems to me to be a clear violation of the law, ethics and any sort of notion of privacy. I pray that some poor soul subject to this gross violation of their rights sues the hell outta the people who did the reporting and the BONs that acted on what should be protected medical information

In my case, I forced a meeting with the MD and the facility's risk management to determine why they could legally report me. Risk management replied that the BON had fined their facility when they discovered the hospital had not reported someone who the Board said should have been mandatorily reported (a patient). Risk management actually stated that now they "err on the side of overreporting known medical professionals in their care for questionably reportable situations". So, yeah.

I can recognize that I was in a seriously bad place and I needed help. However, I do struggle with the particulars surrounding being turned in. Their defense was that my license was active, regardless of my work status (rather, lack thereof), so I was still eligible to be reported.

Ultimately, the Board hit the facility in their pocketbook prior to me, and now their policy has changed accordingly. I'm not seeking legal recourse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
In my case, I forced a meeting with the MD and the facility's risk management to determine why they could legally report me. Risk management replied that the BON had fined their facility when they discovered the hospital had not reported someone who the Board said should have been mandatorily reported (a patient). Risk management actually stated that now they "err on the side of overreporting known medical professionals in their care for questionably reportable situations". So, yeah.

I can recognize that I was in a seriously bad place and I needed help. However, I do struggle with the particulars surrounding being turned in. Their defense was that my license was active, regardless of my work status (rather, lack thereof), so I was still eligible to be reported.

Ultimately, the Board hit the facility in their pocketbook prior to me, and now their policy has changed accordingly. I'm not seeking legal recourse.

Wow!! Just wow! Now we can't even trust being honest with our Doctors. I already realized long ago I couldn't trust my AODA Counselors.. I was turned in for something really stupid I said in group.. I didn't have to say it.. didn't think much of saying it.. but got in trouble with the board because of it. I got into an argument with my counselor and told her AODA was supposed to help me.. not be punitive. How can I get anything out of it when I don't trust you?! I told her not to expect anything out of me other than everything is great, I'm perfect. I did change Counselors.. this one is familiar with the board.. I trust her. But if we can't trust Counselors, can't trust our personal physicians... what the heck is the point of anything. It's like once we decided to become a nurse- we unknowingly joined a secret branch of the military in that you no longer own yourself. If you join the Army.. the army ownes you and your body (I.e. you can get punished for getting sun burned in the army). Nursing owns us! I just read of a nurse who got revoked because she ran her own little nudy web cam to make extra money. It was deemed unprofessional and she got revoked. Whatever your opinion of that is.. she wasn't impaired or doing anything illegal or related to nursing.. it's just another way we are controlled. We lost our rights to be human (except when they say we should be) when we became Nurses!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
I wouldn't but that's me. In my experience you get nailed the same either way. Do you KNOW you have a test tomorrow? When is the last time you drank? Do you have a lawyer on retainer if so call him ASAP!!!

I agree completely! I definetly wouldn't offer them anything like that without knowing u will be positive.

Anne, RNC

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment