lzink

In response to cpl_dvldog, that is why one must begin with the EEOC. The EEOC first determines if you may have an action and give you the go ahead to take the action to the next step. fltnrse2

I feel like I am a very strong women. However recently I had to take a refresher course after a lengthy health related problems. I've been a nurse for 40 years and made my dream come true by becoming a flight nurse. Now I am given a rn with 2 years of experience as my preceptor! She was so vicious, demanding and condesending that in her opinion I should be dropped from the course and I was. I am still fighting for reinstatement. I don't understand this type of behavior, however as long as it is tolerated it will continue. If there is a difference in the balance of power they call it bullying. I had another nurse throw an object at my head, and was dressed down by the clinical nurse supervisor because I didn't answer one of only two phone lines that ring into the unit. It was a total nightmare. I think there is a fair amount of "jelousy". The only thing that has worked for me in the past is to ignore this behavior. If there lives at work is the only area in thier lives they feel in control that should tell you that thier home life probably sucks. I am filling a complaint with the BON along with a couple of articles online and in the local newspaper. No one should feel intimadated, lied on, etc. any where, but it seem more agreous among nurses, those who make thier living out of "caring"! After I get reinstated, then I have a liable and slander law suits I can file. It seems to me looking back on the situation there are plenty of nurses but not enough supervision. I mean if you can charge a Tele unit, have a patient load and be a preceptor someone is going to come out on the short end of the stick, and this nurse had no problem telling anyone who would listen that she was precepting me so she could make her mortage payment! There are two quotes that come to mind, one it ain't over till the fat lady sings, and that revenge is a meal best served cold. I have a long standing aquaintance who is a nurse attorney on my BON, I email her sometimes just to vent my frustrations and feelings. With all do respect, the bully will be wondering how to make her mortage payments when or if her license is effected. So you see she may "think she bad" but I think it's more important to be smart. Nurses like I have sescribed in my opinion have no place in Nursing. I would also like to see a NO TOLERANCE policy for rude, or disrepectful behavior to our collouges and God forbid this behavior spills over into the patient care area's. So I really do understand a good deal of what your feeling, but with time these feelings will pass. Take the high road, be the consumate professional, your patients need everything you can give them, so don't waste your time on co-workers who sound like they would suck the life right out of you if you let them. I don't hav my spell check up and running so forgive my typo's....Hold your hear up, be an example that other nurses look up to, respect you, but I hope you will get to a place that you will not tolerate this unprofessional conduct. In my opinion it only takes one time for this type of human being to get thier clock cleaned, then they leave you alone, they move on looking for vunerabilitys in another nurse. Just take it to the nurses lounge or have a meeting with the supervisor present. Don'tlet em get you down! HAPPY NEW YEAR! FLTNRSE2

Dear FNP v ANP, Access your states BON. You need to talk to a "Practice Specialists". That is her job to answer questions such as the one you posted. FLTNRSE2

LVNBSN2, Sounds like "retailation" to me. If this happened recently I would ask for a document stating exactly WHY you were fired. The "State" purpose is to protect the public, they arn't there for you. In my opinion (after you get a copy of your employment records, and in some states by law they have to give you a copy) I would go online and pull up the information about the EEOC. Federal law clearly frowns on retailtory actions. If the EEOC agrees with you ahd you have some evidence to support it, then you can sue the hospital. FLTNRSE2

And therein lies the problem. I was surprized at how other nurses rise to defend this doc. If she is right or wrong is up to the Board of Healing Arts. The physicians "rational" is not the point. If he/she is prescribing an unsafe amount of narcotics the rational is irrelvant. If the BHA agrees no harm, that's thier decision and visa vera. Again, if you look at your NPA as a licensed professional you have a "professional obligation" to report, not judge, just report the facts. This nurse has "asked questions" and had "conversations" with this doc and what happened......nothing. It takes guts to report a physician, but if you play it safe as it sounds like many other nurses have and someone dies, don't think for a minute the defense attornies won't bring out the fact that as a nurse you knew better and did nothing about it. This subject matter could use some fresh air...if this doc is unscrupulous he/she counts on you not reporting the facts that you have witnessed. He/she is counting on you to be too intimadated by his/her creditionals, and yes the "power" of his/her position. Now everyone should understand why physicians carry mal-practice insurance and why it cost an arm and a leg. No pun intended. I also agree that if you go forward doing what you think is the right thing to do it's not going to be easy on you, but you may save the life of an unsuspecting patient. I would like to point out that the DEA isn't counting the number of pills Dr. X prescribes because they are too busy enforcing our border etc. Ask any pharmacists, there isn't a computer program that ties a physicians script writting habits together, in part thanks to HIPPA. Well I think I'm going to drop this hot potatoe for another day. And for all of the health care providers who "ran" to defend the actions of this doc, ask yourselves why, what is your rational for defending a doc you don't even know? As a nurse you will come to your own conclusion according to your conscience (and the Law) who know's you might save not only a patient, but in the end play an important factor in saving a Physicians' life because he sought treatment with the encouragement of the BHA instead of having sanctions against his license. FLTNRSE2

I would contact the Board of Healing Arts in your State. You might contact the DEA to see what you can learn.

Check out Flightweb on the internet. Most jobs are located in the desert southwest. Look at Native American Air, Phoenix, Good Samaritan hospitals also Phoenix (they had the first flight program in the country. You might check Indian Health Services they cover Window Rock, Ship Rock, Chinle. Suncare Air, Yuma, Az. Presbyterian in Lubbock, Tx has an awesome operation. UMC (University Medical Center) Las Vegas. DES (Department emergency Services) in Arizona. Well that should keep you busy for a while. Good Luck! Fltnrse

Dear Jamie, I agree that your focus of addiction and recovey should always come first. The second thing is how long was you license suspended, that will make a difference. Additionally I do not know of any RN-BSN who would except you. Even if you found a bridge LPN-RN you would have to have a vailed license. What you can do however is take all of the other courses with exception to those pertaining to nursing. Then when you get reinstated all you will need are the nursing core cirruculums I don't know how long ago this event happened, but I get the distince feeling that you are glossing over the the facts and emotions. It is my opinion that if you do not have substantial sobriety the likly hood of a relaspse is very likely. I'm sorry that I couldn't have better news for you, but first things first! Take it easy....and best of luck to you in your future endevors. I know if you work the program, have a sponsor and keep clean you may reach you goals! Have faith! Sincerely, Linda

I am going for reinstatement, this is what I found out. An Rn Investigator will review my documents, she will then talk to the chair of the reinstatement committee (who is an LPN, nothing against LPN's I was one for twenty years) by phone this one person has two choices. One to reinstate my license or forward my case onto the full board for a decision. How do you like those apples?

Dear Karl, I read your post in regards to whom the bon is accountable to. If you read my last post this is a huge concern to me. What other government entity do you know of that is allowed to operate with little or no transparency or accountability? Where does the "freedom of information act" fit in here? Yet the bon has no problem publishing my name, the status of my license, and the details of the "Findings of Fact" on the internet! Does anyone other than myself have a problem with this?

Dear All Over Again, I have done it both ways with and without an attorney. Twice the attorney made thousands of dollars and I lost anyway, once the attorney made thousands of dollars and I got my license. I'm getting ready to go around one more time for reinstatement. I paid and attorney thousands of dollars and he used to represent the bon, he made two "errors" on my application on the first page, for this he made money, when I made a mistake I was charged with "fraud." Go figure. So I fired him, put my faith in God. Here is my most profound issue with the bon. THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY!!!!! I am not aware of any legal system that is allowed to function without the person being discussed cannot be present. A convicted felon is allowed to attend his/her parole hearing! However, in some instances where the nurse cannot see the evidence, or attend a meeting his/her lawyer can!!!! Does that make sense to anyone? How does one defend oneself? A common criminal can be appointed an attorney by the courts and is allowed "discovery", depositions can be taken, he/she has the right to cross examine his/her accuser, and can present evidence. Every state is different, but in one state I was given 5 minutes to present any evidence I had to the bon. I had a handwritten letter from another RN stating how we disposed of shattered vials (3) of demerol or MSO4 can't remember. She and I disposed of these shattered vials just as nurses do all over the country thousands of times a day......the bon NEVER contacted her. Here is how I see things now...if they want you, their gonna get you. As long as the bon's are allowed to operate without impunity the same injustices are going to occur and reoccur. And while I'm venting a little here, I am also up to here with being disrespected in letters and emails from the bon. I would like to close this letter to you by saying that it is your sobriety that is most important at all times. Talk to your sponsor, go to meetings and vent these frustrations you have, and quite rightly so...don't let them get you down, tomorrow is another day and who knows what good the day might have in store for you. I understand you, and I feel for you, you are not alone. Linda

Right on Jack Farmer! lzink

I couldn't agree with you more Karl...Linda

Dear easlel, I would like to discourage you from contacting the state board of nursing for any reason once your in their sites Lord help you. Your State Nurses Association can give you the same information without having to disclose any personal information. As far as the EAP I just want you to keep one thing in mind...they work for the hospital......... Linda

If your supervisor is investigating, she may well report the incident to the board. My personal opinion is this. I self reported and the board couldn't jerk my license fast enough. If this gets turned over to the state board they will also contact your new job. None of this changes the reality to this question. Did or did you not divert drugs? If you answer this question yes, then I would contact your state nurses association for information on what if any programs are available for treatment. I would not be calling the board to ask any questions. With this approach here are the advantages I see. One, you will receive treatment and in doing so this would put you one step ahead of the board. Rather your supervisor didn't catch the "specific" drug you were diverting, isn't the point. It may be painful to hear and to except as you admitted earlier, you have diverted drugs. If you read my earlier post, I don't encourage anyone to talk to the board over the phone, if they call just to ask you a few questions all very innocent, keep in mind you are know giving information to an investigator working on behalf of the state board. Let the board find their information on their own. You are not alone, and if you have any other questions let me know. My hope is that you seek treatment so you can continue nursing. Linda