condor12

Interesting post about the nursing board in Az. Horrible reputation on many fronts

I never fully understood stealing meds., addiction yes, but why can't these people buy their own? Stealing narcotics is a federal offense, and should be looked at from the criminal aspect.

You resigned but your unclear about the evidence. Most states require reporting to Nursing Boards if they feel you diverted drugs for yourself. It can be a federal felony, but seldom is prosecuted unless a large amount. Everything depends on the evidence against you and you make no note of that. But certainly sound panicky which is usually a guilty sign. Usually. The first rule is don't panic. If you haven't been informed of pending investigation or charges you may get lucky. But at the same time nursing boards take a while, criminal charges only a few days. If you snitched the drugs, get clean. Narcotic addiction in nursing is doomsville. But I can tell you that you don't need the Board to help you with this. Be soo very careful what you say, even here. If they got evidence against you let them come to you, don't act guilty. I can not tell you how important your behavior will be. Remain calm. Good Luck.

Usually voluntary surrender is for a specific period of time, at least from that state. On one hand you say you're doing everything expected of you, after a positive screen in N.C., but you voluntarily surrendered your license? Generally a positive screening, without diversion, will warrant some kind of monitoring if no prescription coverage is presented. If it was a random screening, and not on the job, you really shouldn't have been thinking about voluntary surrender. Although voluntary surrendering is easier to be reinstated the time frame generally is honored between states. But not always. However, you first must be a resident to apply for a single state license of that state.

Stick it out, maybe get another lawyer, but in the end they need another investigation and hearing to move to restart. Never offer anything other than its a false positive, ask for another form of screening.

Often times rules of both licensing boards and regulatory agencies greatly effect, and for the most part can easily limit the effective team efforts for quality care nurses need to depend upon and trust one another. Any nurse that has worked a busy unit virtually has zero to gain to knowingly violate some of the most ridiculous agency rules which get generate by some bureaucratic drone that needs a paycheck. A hard working, clear headed nurse can be disciplined for a positive drug screen from a joint smoked 3 weeks ago at a Christmas party, whilst a physician can walk in the unit and have as many needles sticking out of him as a porcupine and nobody says jack. Welcome to 2014, good luck, your going to need it.

Getting documentation that you filed complaint with law enforcement seems to me to be the move to make. But remember this, law enforcement on medical issues doesnt always follow what nurses think is the law. I would be prepared to find other employment first, and also be ready to move out of state quickly. Enforcing the law on health care issues frequently exposes a web of corruption. Its 2014 not 1980.

This discussion is so important to the world of not only nursing but health care in general. nursing and its tentacles seem to reach just about everywhere, and when one makes the comment that the fear of having a patient killed during a hospital stay is so paramount to warrant a body guard of sorts is the attitude heard across the country. And below the surface the nurse who says this is the one who gets killed. You've got no idea the dangers that await you when you talk like this.https://www.facebook.com/pages/Arizo...1368987?ref=hl

This discussion is so important to the world of not only nursing but health care in general. nursing and its tentacles seem to reach just about everywhere, and when one makes the comment that the fear of having a patient killed during a hospital stay is so paramount to warrant a body guard of sorts is the attitude heard across the country. And below the surface the nurse who says this is the one who gets killed. You've got no idea the dangers that await you when you talk like this. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Arizona-State-Board-of-Nursing-Corruption/687108521368987?ref=hl

If your looking for quality care chances are you're about to be gravely disappointed. Home health tends to be better, but for the most part most for profit facilities are not doing anything but counting the money; however the future is yours and having been a critical RN for 35 yrs I sense serious change on the horizon. Quality can only go up and you can be part of a vibrant change. In the environment you're going into you must love yourself first. Protect yourself as best you can and stick to policy as best you can. Make the pharmacy personal your friends and keep lines open with them, they can help you more than you know as medication adm is a major part of critical care nursing. Good Luck.

Certainly a sign of the times with more control and restrictions on care that many here have little knowledge of. Meaning that the health care crisis is very evident in many classifications and details of financial abuse is not well documented for public display. Greedy profiteers will have to find other areas to collect from. People will want to blame Obama Care but the reality is that its about time these runaway costs get addressed.

PTSD is something difficult to understand for those that are not informed. For many reasons of looking OK and moving about you know there are times when anxiety rears up and you've got no control over these monstrous fears. Most nurses would advice against going inactive or voluntary surrender but demonstrating being proactive in accepting this miserable syn-drone can go a long way for you to get a handle on treatment. Recovering from PTSD is a real beast as few colleagues I know just do not understand this condition and how emotionally painful it can be, you look fine but act crazy. Take some time off.

Seven times for narcs only looks obvious and probation might help you if you've got a problem. if you don't have a problem with narcs retain a lawyer and take it all the way. Sometimes boards don't particularly like going to superior court and may dismiss it if you've got a valid reason for the errors. Seven times just doesn't sound good.