Nurses Self Reporting (MICH)

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I am new to this site, however it was suggested I start my own thread to hopefully gain responses to my questions and hopefully even help someone else out there...

Ok, Make a long story short (as I can) I was diverting, got confronted through a meeting and I denied at first. My inner core was shocked and embarassed and humiliated. I was told that "this is now reportable to the state" as they had some evidence of medication taken out through documentation errors on my part. As i said I denied at first and before I left meeting, I was handed a card by the person handling this (employee relations?) .. My question to all of you out there .....I feel I should self report, but am scared. Should I call lady back and acknowledge my faults and take accountability and tell her I want to enter into the program that state offers ORrrrrrrrr Should I self report directly to the state (MICH) ???? If anyone can please offer some advice/suggestions, I would be most graciously appreciative.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Just my .02, but in my situation, I self reported and ended up in a little better situation than the hospital calling and turning me in. I still ended up with 3 years of monitoring, inpatient treatment, random UDS, the whole 9 yards.

I don't know it I did myself any favors, but I went that route anyway. It would not hurt to seek the advice of a lawyer. Good luck to you.

Anne, RNC

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Specializes in ER/ICU/Trauma/Traveler.

Hang in there and try to take things one step at a time. I did not self report, was reported by employer and am in the same boat either way now. My experience with a friend though is that she did self report and it didn't really change anything. She still ended up being persecuted by the board even though it turns out it was charting errors rather than diverting. Self reporting didn't help her, because the board only waited to hear from the employer before taking any action on her case.

I suggest you continue to communicate with your employer, it is a long shot, but sometimes they don't report. Talking to someone through your local union (they will help you even if you are not a member) can be a lot of help as well. They will know how your state handles these things better than anyone, and then you have an advocate from the start.

If you are ready, NOW is the time to get help though. Look into treatment centers in your area, this can go a long way with the board if you have already gotten into treatment, at the very least, find some resources. NA, SMART, and Lifering (online) are good positive places to find some support and start getting yourself on a different path.

I know this feels like the end of the world right now (been there), but you are not alone, and you can get back to where you want to be. I am grateful you were caught before it was too late-this CAN be the best thing that ever happened to you.

My heart goes out to you-you are not alone.

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As I said in your other thread, get a lawyer NOW and do what you are told.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
As I said in your other thread, get a lawyer NOW and do what you are told.

Right!!!

Anne, RNC

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Hang in there and try to take things one step at a time. I did not self report, was reported by employer and am in the same boat either way now. My experience with a friend though is that she did self report and it didn't really change anything. She still ended up being persecuted by the board even though it turns out it was charting errors rather than diverting. Self reporting didn't help her, because the board only waited to hear from the employer before taking any action on her case.

I suggest you continue to communicate with your employer, it is a long shot, but sometimes they don't report. Talking to someone through your local union (they will help you even if you are not a member) can be a lot of help as well. They will know how your state handles these things better than anyone, and then you have an advocate from the start.

If you are ready, NOW is the time to get help though. Look into treatment centers in your area, this can go a long way with the board if you have already gotten into treatment, at the very least, find some resources. NA, SMART, and Lifering (online) are good positive places to find some support and start getting yourself on a different path.

I know this feels like the end of the world right now (been there), but you are not alone, and you can get back to where you want to be. I am grateful you were caught before it was too late-this CAN be the best thing that ever happened to you.

My heart goes out to you-you are not alone.

THANK YOU FOR WRITING! You were very encouraging. Yes, Iam extremely saddenned bywhats happened, yet only good will come out of this. I have to believe that this happened for a good reason and that was to get me back on track again and stay on the tracks by force. I was taking maintenance medication to help me , but nobody to enforce or keep check of my progress either. I did self report today and contacted my employer and shes looking into options for me, if any are available. but at least I am on the route. The problem is ..........................................I need to work now. I cant afford o sit around for 3 years. Any advice with the working status?

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Tanlie, what happened today? Were you terminated? Put on leave?

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Specializes in Trauma/ER, Dialysis (yuck!).

I live in Michigan as well. Was diverting..got caught (everyone does inevitably). I did not deny it though when confronted. My suggestion is to call your employer, ask if you have a eap and admit what you have done. From there, your hospital may suprise you and work with you if you are willing to get help. Mine did. If not, then go self report with hprp (the monitoring in MI). The phone number is 1-800-453-3784. The website is www.hprp.org. Some things to expect when self reporting.

They will probably want a inpatient stay, then 8-10 weeks of iop. It is typically a 3 year contract with drug screens, group meetings the first year, quarterly reports from worksite monitor, addictionist, and sponsor, narctic and overtime restricitons for usually 6 mos. The good news is you do what they say, when they say, how they say and you are able to work! Your license is safe, no record at all...as long as you are being monitored by hprp. I believe hprp destroys their documents after 7 years also.

It sounds like alot....and it is....but trust me, it is so much better than the life you were living. Please call them TODAY.....you can continue to work and dodge the state but it WILL catch up to you. Get help today, I promise you, one addict to another, you cannot do this alone.

I hated, I mean hated the program, but it saved my life and my career. Without it I would be on heroin, homeless or dead. In retrospect, now I see it was allot easier then the lying, manipulating and conning I did for years supporting my addiction.

Let us know how it goes, good luck and God bless

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THANK U RNMINI....

MAY I ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS???

well first of all, 2 years ago, I went into rehab for same thing (opiates) and went through their IOP program but WAS NOT mandated or anything. I was strictly voluntered to do this as I knew I needed help.

This time, I wasnt so lucky ifya wanna call it that. I call it a blessing actually.

My question is when you said they may make you do an inpatient stay..this is the part that squares me as iam a single mother . Do you think since I already did inpatient stay and I have no health in surance now, if I do everything else and more.....perhaps they may not make me do inpatient stay. this is the part that scares **** out of me cuz I cant let anyone else know if you know whatI mean........?!? So, do you know if EVERYONE has to do inpatient stay or does it just depend on each situation?????

plz respond.

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THANK U RNMINI....

MAY I ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS???

well first of all, 2 years ago, I went into rehab for same thing (opiates) and went through their IOP program but WAS NOT mandated or anything. I was strictly voluntered to do this as I knew I needed help.

This time, I wasnt so lucky ifya wanna call it that. I call it a blessing actually.

My question is when you said they may make you do an inpatient stay..this is the part that squares me as iam a single mother . Do you think since I already did inpatient stay and I have no health in surance now, if I do everything else and more.....perhaps they may not make me do inpatient stay. this is the part that scares **** out of me cuz I cant let anyone else know if you know whatI mean........?!? So, do you know if EVERYONE has to do inpatient stay or does it just depend on each situation?????

plz respond.

I woulld call your EAP, and also get started with tx, and make sure that they are aware that you are admitting to the diversion and that you want help. It seems that those that deny usually end up with criminal charges and BON investigations. The hospital has to report it in order to cover themselves, whenever they have discrepancy with scheduled meds... or risk DEA probs, as well as other regulatory agencies for mishandling of narcs...

It is NOT ever the same for all as far as the tx needed, but in light of your relapse and having past tx, it is usually recommended to attend a more intensive tx then the initial one, because it did not work. It is also based on the evaluation and, sad to say, what your insurance will cover also. I am unclear why you lack insurance, you did not say you were fired, and in any case, you would be covered with COBRA??

Also call HRPR today!!

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Specializes in Derm/Wound Care/OP Surgery/LTC.

I self-reported (opiate diversion) and it was the best thing I ever did. The Board of Nursing in Florida came down MUCH easier on me than on others who were "caught" by their employers. I was mandated to 12 weeks of IOP and then 2 years of monitoring with narcotic restrictions at my place of employment. A co-worker of mine was caught doing the same thing (diversion) and she argued it to the ends of the earth. The medical documentation was stacked against her. There was no way she could possibly deny diversion and be believed (she was diverting IV morphine). Our cases came up within a month of one another. She was relegated to in patient treatment (residential for 28 days) and then, IOP for 12 weeks following that. She takes weekly drug tests (I don't, mine are montly) and at the end of her IOP will be on probation with restrictions for five years. I did not have a lawyer with me and she did. I would imagine that each case is treated quite differently...but I found that the Board of Nursing was very willing to work with me as opposed to the deal my former co-worker got. She also had criminal charges filed against her by the SNF. The same employer did not press charges against me because I confessed and said I would seek treatment.

I would have to agree with those who said to consult a lawyer. It couldn't hurt your situation. In my opinion, it was simply better to throw yourself on the mercy of your employer, explain to them that you need help and let that process begin as it may.

IOP has been an absolute gift to me. I went there reluctantly, with a very bad attitude to boot. Now I am in my sixth week and I am learning so much about myself and the disease of addiction that I look forward to going. I may even continue to go on a voluntary basis after I am off official IOP. The counselors are just wonderful and are helping me to stay on the right track.

Look at it as a blessing in disguise, Tanlie. You have an addiction. You need help. This may be just the incentive to get you going toward the goal of sobriety.

I am 141 days sober as of today and intend to be one of the success stories.

You can do this. Get some legal guidance and most of all, get yourself some help.

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Specializes in ER.

I agree with rninmi. I was caught last year for diverting and I admitted everything. I was suspended from my job and I called hprp (otherwise the hospital would turn me into the state). To answer you q....not everyone is req to do inpt stay. I did an intake interview at a rehab and had to just do the 6 week iop. Every case is different. I have a 3 year contract...group ends after 2 years. It costs a lot of money (and I have insurance) but it saved my life and it's saving my license. Good luck and feel free to ask any questions.

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