Pleased to introduce myself

[rnbob]

I earned my license in 1993, surrendered my license in 2001, applied and received a probationary license in 2009.

I found a wonderful job in dialysis, working with a few friends I knew from the rehab group. Life was very good, no problems with the BON,alcohol,drugs, coworkers, or job performance, I was loving life.

Received a voice-mail from my boss telling me I was being investigated by HR and to stay home.

Attended the HR hearing where I was accused of threatening behavior,"a time bomb ready to explode, not if but when"

Escorted from the hospital by security. (No truth to these accusations whatsoever, what they did have were text messages I had sent to a "friend" that were obviously meant as jokes).

My life is hell, unemployed,wife very angry and disappointed with me, I had already lost everything, now my wife will be forced into bankruptcy.

I got a lawyer, filed an appeal to try to clear my name, and save my license, No response after 2 weeks, my lawyer really offers little hope, afraid I will lose my license, looking for work, SCARED, SCARED, SCARED!

[rnbob]

I am unable to answer private messages, anyway I sent the texts to a friend I worked with, she betrayed me ( I don't know why,some think she wanted more overtime, or the bosses attention), anyway the story about me being dangerous was just expedient as it allowed them to fire me without any process (warnings etc)

[Got2B]

Do you have a copy of the messages? Both sent and recieved?

[rnbob]

I have the copy they transcribed of my texts, of course they didn't transcribe her guffaws, but really they are on the face obviously meant in jest. but they didn't fire me over the texts, which would have been harsh, but within their rights. They made up all these stories of staff and patients being afraid I would hurt them. That is what I am trying to fight, I actually thought I was well liked- recently a patient said to me"they been waitin' all morning for you to get here" speaking of the one who turned me in and another "friend". I know most of my coworkers are afraid to speak up for me and only a few are involved in this. One even gave me a written statement, but it's not like in court where you can face your accusers, or present your evidence

[Got2B]

Call your cell phone provider and ask for a copy of those texts, especially due to these circumstances. Now, what state did this happen in?

I have learned through my own friendly faults, I may mean one thing but it is taken totally different. I had no malice in mind, just having fun. As it turns out in your case, they had the fun, not you. I am feeling your pain!

[rnbob]

Thanks for your comments, I am in maryland

[EquinimityRN]

I too empathize with your situation. People that you work with can be odd, crazy or just downright malicious and power hungry at times.

My personal board discipline was well deserved. However, during 10 years of full time practice I saw a number of good nurses run out of facilities for nothing more than personality conflicts.

All of us here understand the fear of losing the job and not knowing what to expect from the board.

If you have a group of Nurses in recovery in your area this can be of great benefit. Regular 12 step meetings are wonderful for recovery. However, when you are dealing with your license and the board it is a great help to have the experience of people that are going through or have been through situations with the board.

In my estimation 2 weeks is not a very long time to wait for the board to respond (although I know it seems like a lifetime). It took my state board almost 3 years to discipline me after having been reported. It took them 6 months to respond to my request for reduction of license probation.

Move forward with your life as best you can. You are doing everything you can already to set the record straight.

To borrow from Desiderata:

"Exercise caution in your business affairs,

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals,

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love,

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,

it is as perennial as the grass."

also

"Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."

[rnbob]

Wow, thats sooo strange since desiderata is my favorite prayer- I have a framed copy on my bedroom wall- I guess, I really have to start taking it more seriously. I just never really believed there was so much sickness in the world, obviously I am naive.

Still it is sad, that the same people who look forward to seeing you everyday, and enjoy having lunch with you can turn so viciously on you. I couldn't have been so savage to an enemy!

[luvche]

I don't know how your mobile cell company works, but I worked a Sprint while waiting to get the OK to go back to nursing. They can't release text conversations without a subpoena. I worked tech support and had NO WAY to even LOOK up or at text messages. The subpoena had to go to a specific department.

I would get a lawyer and fight it. not that I would want to go back to work at a place like that, but at least to have on record a possible ruling in your favor for when applying to the next place

[rnbob]

Actually someone in another forum made me see my own part in this whole thing. My boss and I were friends from a previous employer, and he was kind enough to give me a really good job. After I decided that I didn't like the things that were going on, I should have given my notice and quit. Instead I stayed and complained and made waves, and made people hate me bad enough to make up the lies. I have since called my boss to apologize for the trouble I caused him, and will do my best not to engage in this kind of behavior again. (I didn't see it before but I do have a habit of biting the hand that feeds me).

I am truly sorry to all the people I have hurt with my behavior, got what I deserved, and hopefully be able to grow from this experience.

[jackstem]

While you may have made mistakes and had complicity in causing some of the disenchantment among colleagues and administration, you don't deserve to have people lie.

Now, as far as learning from our mistakes (and as addicts, we seem to have a harder time than many folks learning from our actions), all you need to do is read through the posts on this bulletin board and many, many others on the internet to see that email and texts do not convey irony, sarcasm or other "subtle" (and sometimes not so subtle) attempts at humor. Also, telling jokes, sharing secrets, and participating in gossip in a medium that can be shared or discovered by others (or unintentionally sent to the wrong person...YIKES!) is one of the biggest mistakes we as a culture make today. I've definitely put my foot in it more than once. I haven't made that mistake in a while, but if I'm not paying attention or get caught up in the heat of the moment, I am at risk for making that same mistake again.

Keep taking it one day at a time!

Jack