annyoklie

Did anyone know that you can receive a verbal warning while you're walking down the hall? YES you can...and not even know about it. Not the way due process works. They're flying by the seat of their pants!

Tennessee is one of the many states that NEED unions. I completely agree that if management is good, there is no need for a union, but everywhere I've worked, the HR department publishes an employee handbook with nothing but mumble/jumble,very few black and white and a horrendous amount of grey. There is NOONE to help us...the squeeky wheel walks the plank alone.

Interesting thought re contacting the ADA. What could they possibly do?

My point exactly...I'd love to know how many nurses take some kind of moodaltering drug while working. My pharmacy records show no narcs before surgery and no narcs for last year (took the board almost 2 years to bring this to hearing). Dosing is the key...this was not a "chronic pain" issue. I had worked for this employer for 2 months...they had no idea how weird I am normally. This is a major issue...understanding that some nurses are impaired, steal drugs, save pts drugs for themselves...I've done this for a long time. No withdrawals, no narcs=no license. Thanks to all for supporting me and let me vent. Lots of anger here.

I too am disgusted with the whole process. By making that phone call, everything that I've worked for for 35 years is in jeopardy because I had 2 major surgeries in 2 years and had to take narcotics to function. I have disclosed all of my injuries and surgeries. Not one employer has asked for a letter from my neurosurgeon of my ability. Every healthcare facility wants a list of your meds and some want the bottles at preemployment physicals. I wasn't on the drug at that time. Also some facilities will respond to a positive drug screen, and you haven't listed the drug,they accuse you of taking illegal drugs. The whole thing is a scam, blackmail, and expensive beyond belief. I will do what I have to do, but I am becoming militant about the so-called "protection" received from these professional help svcs. Your license is hanging right within your reach but you cannot have it until you sign a contract, which should protect you from the BON, but not necessarily. I'm not as negative as I sound. I have always been outspoken when wrong is wrong. And this whole system should be a nurturing haven for peolpe who are ill. NO...haven't seen a glimpse of compassion.

Knowing that addiction is a disease...can't help thinking about what my attorney said...wonder how many of the "judges" have a problem?

Got letters from prescribing physicians. Bottom line: BON doesn't give a hoot about anything but pt safety. Don't get me wrong...I live for pt care. Benn off drugs for about a year...and I still will have a monitoring agreement? There is no advocacy for nurses.

Got a nurse/attorney

OK...this is dicey...I have been a nurse for 35 years. I have had 4 neck surgeries. Problems started in 2005 when after 15 years of cervical health, I ruptured another disc at work. I could not even raise my head off the pillow. Had surgery #3 and was off work longer than FMLA allowed. I was terminated from that job. I was medically released and got another job and was fine for about a year. Pain medication was prescribed appropriately and I quit them about 6 months after surgery #3. Was medically released in Feb 2006 and was fine until Nov 2006, when symptoms began again on opposite side. Went back on pain pills and had surgery #4 in March 2007. I returned to work 3 weeks after (too soon). Remained on pain pills prn and was drug tested randomly...positive of course - the employer thought I was acting weird and they had no record of me being on this medication. The employer told me I had to contact our State drug advocacy organization before they would let me return to work. I self-reported myself and my life has been a living hell since then. I was sent to an addiction counselor (7 monthe post op) and he advised me to go into an inpt recovery program, have my license suspended for 3 years. I could not afford the recovery program and advised the advocacy organization that I could not meet their recommendations. I now have a hearing in September and my license can be revoked, suspended or put on probation. I am frustrated and can't believe where I have ended up. The State advocacy groups are all extremely punitive and paint you into the corner. These were legally prescribed drugs for a legitimate problems. Any thoughts?