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Hi JMD, I made the mistake two days in a row last November. Never before, and obviously never since. Thanks to everyone who replied so far. Anybody have any idea about what I'll go through from here? By the way, I was not paid for the hours in question (total of 8 hours).

Although I hate to leave a first impression like this, I'm afraid I have no choice. I've been an LPN for 2 years now (after 20 years as a Graphic Artist). I'm currently halfway through my A.S./RN. I am 40 years old, married, father of 4 teenage boys. I had been working for a home health agency on one ALS case Monday thru Friday from 7-3 this past year. I was terminated last November and reported to the Board for reporting of more hours than worked. I received a certified letter from an investigator. I promptly reported and gave my written statement after being grilled like a criminal. I guess the best way to explain exactly what happened on the job would be to post my letter to the board: On Saturday, March 12, 2005 I received a certified letter from your office regarding a complaint filed with your office pertaining to an issue that arose concerning my reporting of more hours than I had actually worked during Thanksgiving week of 2004 with my patient, (name omitted) via (agency name omitted). I am writing this letter to you with a full explanation in response to that complaint in an effort to resolve this issue and retain or regain my reputation as a quality nurse. Some time in mid-November of 2004 it came to my attention that the primary caregiver and live-in girlfriend of (patient), (name omitted) had taken money in the sum of $550.00 from his cash on hand without his knowledge, to lend to one of her sons to help pay his rent on his apartment. This money was given to him by his family who held a charity benefit on his behalf earlier that month. There was a constant fight between (caregiver) and the family of (patient) regarding this money. His family did not want this cash to be left at his house for fear of this exact situation arising, but finally gave in to (caregiver's) demands. I felt obligated to report this issue, not only to (patient) himself, but to his family and my superiors as well. When (patient) and his family confronted (caregiver) about this, she stated that she was going to replace the money before anybody knew it was missing, and the issue was left alone for the time being. My reporting of this issue had obviously angered (caregiver) who proceeded to retaliate against me by personally taking it upon herself to substantially reduce my hours with (patient)and eventually have me removed altogether. She did this by informing me on more than one occasion that week, that a nurse from another agency had asked her for some hours for that week to help with her tuition expenses. I was not informed ahead of time on either occasion. I was informed during my shift. This brought me to the current situation that I am now in, in the following way: Since this situation had arisen with (caregiver) I began filling out my paperwork for my shift during (patient's) naptime, rather than after my shift was over, so that I would not have to remain in those now uncomfortable surroundings any longer than I had to. That was my first mistake. When I was told that I could leave, I obediently did so. I knew that I was going to be phased out of that case by (caregiver), so "the sooner the better" so to speak. Unfortunately for me, I neglected to re-write my paperwork and timesheet before mailing them in at week's end. I had even left the appropriate copies of all paperwork at (patient's) residence. At no time was deception of any kind purposely performed on my part, as is evidence of that fact. The following Monday morning I arrived at (patient's) house to work my usual 7-3 shift. During that shift I had stated to (patient) that I didn't think it would be possible for me to remain there any longer as his nurse. (Caregiver)was listening to our conversation from upstairs, and promptly came down to tell me that it was fine with her if I resigned. She seemed quite elated actually. (Patient), however, became very upset to the point of crying. He (via letter-chart) begged me to please not leave, that I was the best nurse he had ever had, and that I was more than just a nurse to him. By the end of our conversation I agreed to stay on as his nurse. This obviously was not going to happen in (caregiver's) eyes. She promptly flew down the stairs and informed me of my paperwork error, and that she would report me to (agency) as a cheat, which she obviously did. I spoke with (supervisor of agency) about this situation. She told me that I would be promptly reassigned to another case, and that "I told you so" about (caregiver). Apparently several nurses had come to the same fate as myself when it came to (caregiver). I spoke with (pateint) about having no choice but to be reassigned, as per my superiors at (agency). Again (caregiver) was listening from upstairs and began gathering evidence of my time discrepancy in order to ruin my reputation, and reported me to my employer before I could explain my error to them first. (Supervisor of agency) told me that I was not to return to (pateint's) house, nor contact him or (caregiver) in any way, and that I would not be reassigned by (agency)to another case. She told me that even though she clearly understood the circumstances with (caregiver), that she was obligated to terminate my employment there and report the issue to the Board of Nursing. She wished me good luck, and that was the last I heard from either of them. Since this situation first arose last November I have been faced with terribly harsh realities. I submit that, due to a moment of haste, I am in fact guilty of not re-writing my paperwork to reflect my actual hours worked. But I have never, nor would ever purposely deceive my patient, employer, the Board, or anybody in any way. The reality of my reputation possibly being ruined by this situation has left me with feelings of depression. The reality of the record of my nursing license possibly being forever tarnished by this has added to these feelings. The reality of my very livelihood and thereby the welfare of my family being put at risk has left me in a state of constant fear for our future. The reality of the embarrassment and humiliation of not only losing my job, but the loss of trust and respect of my peers, my patient, and my family will forever be with me. The reality of just how fragile our field is, that 40 years of a good reputation can be forever blemished by a moment's haste is a true eye-opener to me. I beg the Board's lenience with me on this matter. I have freely admitted guilt and accepted responsibility for my haste from the very beginning. I have used this situation as a lesson well learned on the power of following up for one's own actions before a situation can arise. And I have, since this situation arose, made it my priority to attempt to regain the reputation and trust that I have held not only professionally, but in my personal life as well. I beg the Board to please allow me to continue my pursuit of regaining these qualities. I thank you for your consideration. --So, that's my story. Even if I would have re-written my notes and timesheets before faxing and mailing them in it wouldn't have mattered. The girlfriend had already removed the notes from the chart and mailed them in, knowing that even if I would have re-written them, something would be screwy with the whole situation in the eyes of my employer. Like I said at the beginning of this post, I went in to talk to the investigator. She told me it would take a month or more before I hear anything further. My question is - What will happen to me now? My life has become a nightmare because I let myself put my foot into a bucket of you know what. I have never been in a predicament like this in my life, nor have I ever lived my life in any way to warrant such a nightmare. i wonder what my sons and wife must think of me........... What can I expect to happen to me? Please respond.