Public reprimand

Nurses Professionalism

Published

I am currently under investigation by the BON for “falsifying documentation” by copying and pasting documentation (previous documentation regarding routine skill copied when the routine skill wasn’t actually performed). However, all the proper disciplines were notified and it was genuinely a mistake. However, upon resigning from the position, I was reported by the former employer. I have attained legal counsel but I feel so lost. I am afraid I will not be able to maintain employment now or in the future. Has anyone experienced a similar situation?

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

Call a lawyer. Do not deal with the BON on your own, is the best advice and your already there.

I went through something way worse, and it sends you to a dark place. You feel your entire future is slipping away. You think every other nurse knows and has judged you guilty. So steps to take

1. Find another job now, you don't have to disclose and investigation unless your employer asks directly. Lay down an excellent work history so if you end up with restrictions the employer will be more likely to work with you. (I recommend dialysis because they are more familiar with restrictions than most industries in general)

2. Find sanity. I couldn't work due to my troubles. I managed to find a free clinic that would take me and that saved my life. Getting up and doing SOMETHING every day gave me a sense of normalcy as the days dragged on and my finances fell apart. It gave me a place to be when they put the for sale sign in my front yard and kept me from drinking during the day.

3. Use spin control professionally. Reach out to old bosses and trustworthy coworkers. Have lunch with them catch up. When what's happening now comes up get your narrative on record first. These are the people you're going to use for references after this is all over, so you need their support. You want them on your version of events, not the complainants.

4. No matter what when it's all over put it behind you. I went back into the same industry, with a lot of the same bosses and coworkers. It was hard because you don't know who believes you and who thinks you're nurse scum. I just had to move on and publicly not think about it. Privately I was a damaged person, for years.

You can PM me here if you need someone to talk to. It hurts I know.

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If we investigated everyone who ever cut and pasted something that didn't actually happen, to include physicians, there wouldn't be enough investigators on the face of our beautiful blue planet to track even 1% of it.

You are far from unique, For some reason, they wanted to use you an an example.

Two words. Lawyer up.

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11 hours ago, Alex Egan said:

Call a lawyer. Do not deal with the BON on your own, is the best advice and your already there.

I went through something way worse, and it sends you to a dark place. You feel your entire future is slipping away. You think every other nurse knows and has judged you guilty. So steps to take

1. Find another job now, you don't have to disclose and investigation unless your employer asks directly. Lay down an excellent work history so if you end up with restrictions the employer will be more likely to work with you. (I recommend dialysis because they are more familiar with restrictions than most industries in general)

2. Find sanity. I couldn't work due to my troubles. I managed to find a free clinic that would take me and that saved my life. Getting up and doing SOMETHING every day gave me a sense of normalcy as the days dragged on and my finances fell apart. It gave me a place to be when they put the for sale sign in my front yard and kept me from drinking during the day.

3. Use spin control professionally. Reach out to old bosses and trustworthy coworkers. Have lunch with them catch up. When what's happening now comes up get your narrative on record first. These are the people you're going to use for references after this is all over, so you need their support. You want them on your version of events, not the complainants.

4. No matter what when it's all over put it behind you. I went back into the same industry, with a lot of the same bosses and coworkers. It was hard because you don't know who believes you and who thinks you're nurse scum. I just had to move on and publicly not think about it. Privately I was a damaged person, for years.

You can PM me here if you need someone to talk to. It hurts I know.

Thank you. It saddens me to know that a lot of companies abuse the BON complaint system. I am glad you were able to cope. This is a profession that is a calling that requires blood, sweat, and tears.

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Specializes in Educator.

Do what you can to protect your finances and reputation at this point. @Alex Egan is on point with their advice. Dealing with the BON can leave you feeling damaged no matter the outcome. Self-care is important. The BON move at their own pace and investigations can take months or even years. I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this.

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It has already been years at this point. I honestly thought it was over until just a couple months ago. Thanks.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Not sure where you are, but OldMa is spot on....IF you want to continue to practice, then do not give up...and, yes, I know how hard it is....but at the end of the day, if you can look yourself in the mirror and know that you did everything that you could to either fight or fix it, then you will have no regrets....you only have control over your own actions...in the end, things will work out exactly as they should...stay strong!!

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