Nurse falsely accused of diversion, what to expect from the South Carolina BON!!

SC Hospice RN, ASN · Dec 17, 2025

This is a long post but any information is greatly appreciated!!

I have been a nurse for 15 years, finding my calling as an RN Case manager in hospice for the last 8 years in South Carolina. I absolutely love providing end of life care and supporting families while they navigate saying goodbye to their loved ones. However last December 2024, I was falsely accused of diversion by a former hospice patients disgruntled/distanced family member, after picking up prescriptions as a hospice nurse for a patient who had minimal support or options. I was accused of using my role as a hospice nurse deceptively to gain access to controlled meds. I worked with hospice patients in their homes and occasionally assisted patients by picking up prescriptions when they were not able, always with their knowledge, and ALWAYS making sure the pharmacy knew I was the hospice nurse. This was a disfunctional family and the patients spouse, who was POA, requested medical information about the patient be private unless given permission by the POA. Long story short, I was not allowed to speak with family or share details of his care, treatment, etc. so they were not aware of specific meds the patient was taking, the spouse was aware of all med changes or additions however she was blind so my agency managed his mediplanner since the spouse had physical disabilities. Somehow this estranged daughter was able to get a copy of his med list from the pharmacy, and told the pharmacy that her father did not take these meds, and accused me of taking them for personal use . While this was happening behind the scenes, prior to my knowledge, my job suddenly laid me off with a severance, as a reduction in force. I was oblivious and devastated. (Apparently they were informed of this accusations and let me go instead of telling me. However I quickly gained new employment with a different hospice company and hid this information in hopes it would go unnoticed and I could deal with it quietly). Ultimately I was reported to the SCBON and DHEC and a warrant was issued for my arrest. I found this out after receiving a letter from the board and a call from the dhec investigator. I panicked and immediately Googled what to do, and quickly hired an attorney. My attorney accompanied me through the process of turning myself in, and everything that it entails. It was humiliating. I was released without bail or bond since I have no previous criminal history, but I am currently charged with 4 serious felonies. I was referred to the state professionals recovery program and ordered to undergo multiple different types of drug tests, urine, blood, and toenails, with everything being negative. I was also instructed to complete a psychiatric evaluation to determine if I have a substance abuse issue and was given the option of a telehealth appointment in Florida costing $1,000 completely out of pocket. I was also fired from my new employer after 3 months for not disclosing my arrest, so financially I could not complete the psych eval. I reported this to the recovery program telling them I financially could not afford this eval and asked if I had any other options and was told it was up to the nursing board. Surely they would understand? After several weeks of job searching and interviewing, my attorney called me to let me know my nursing license was suspended for not completing the psych eval. So now I am living with my parents while I try to get my life back to normal.
The court ended up offering participation in a program called pre trial intervention since I have no criminal history and my attorney strongly recommended it as this is the fastest option and less costly or lengthy than requesting a jury trial. Eventually when I complete this program, all of these charges will be dropped and expunged from my record. And
I was able to schedule my psych eval after receiving financial assistance to pay for it, but my biggest question now is, will the nursing board try to discipline me anyway, even if I'm in a program to have these charges dropped and I pass the psych eval? I know I am 100% without a doubt innocent, but I take full accountability for putting myself in this situation, because I didn't take extra precautions to protect myself (having pharmacist count with me and sign meds over, or have patients spouse sign to show meds received). Would the board reinstat my license and would I still receive probation or monitoring? This situation has cost me so much, my career, my home, my car, and I have become unhireable due to having 4 pending felonies on my record, all because I have a big heart and thought I was helping a patient and his family going above and beyond to provide the best end of life care possible. I am hopeful these charges will be in the past soon, but am not sure what to expect from the nursing board.
Any advice or guidance regarding what to expect is greatly appreciated! This has been a very lonely, isolating situation and I cannot wait until I can get my license reinstated and put this behind me! Thank you!