I've been an Rn for 16 years, an lvn for 7 years, and a Cna for 9 years. Needless to say- I've dedicated my entire life to my career. Now, at 48, I find myself on probation in ca for improperly documenting a morphine waste back in 2013. It took 3 years to investigate as I was a travel ER Rn on assignment . The hospital reported me to BRN before obtaining a drug screen in which was found to be negative . Now I can't find work anywhere with the restrictions that have been placed on my license .I
I am a 48 year old RN and was placed on probation in July 2017 for 3 years after failing to document morphine properly as a travel ER Rn . I am being rejected by nursing homes, can't work for agencies per probation restrictions , can't leave California but no one will hire me. I am a Christian woman and believe in the power of prayers, trusting God, and his plan for me. However, I'm so close to despair as my life WAS my career and now it's gone for the moment. I don't know where to turn for support. I have been a RN for 16 years, lvn 7 and Cna 9 years. I don't know where to even start in getting employed. I've applied for so many places only to find they can't accom my restrictions. I refuse to get depressed and go into despair . Any advise? The morphine order in ER over 3 weeks was to administer 5 mg and repeat in 15 min. The morphine only came in 10 mg vials so I pulled the entire 10 mg and administered 5 mg as ordered and repeated 5 mg in 15 min as ordered. I was suppose to ask the Pyxis for 5 mg, waste 5 mg, and then administer . After 15 min, go back to Pyxis, pull out another 5 mg and waste another 5 mg. So they were not able to charge the patient and were unable to account for a total of 26 mg of morphine over a 3 week time span. They said nothing to me until I showed up for my 2p-2a Er shift and escorted me to HR and asked me to explain 14 charts of unexplained wastes. Then they sent me to occupational health where they drug tested me. They cancelled my contract and reported me to the DEA and BRN . I called my agency where they immediately drug tested me as well and both came back negative for any drugs. Then they said I could have stole the med to sell for profit-- ??? I had to send character letters to the investigation of DCA to defend my intent to sell. I am jobless but have a restricted license to practice . I just need someone to take a chance on me even in QA, case management, UM to fullfill the BRN's 6 mo 24 hr/week mandate or revoke/surrender.
I am not a drug user, drink alcohol, nor have a criminal history. Where do I go from here? Where would you go? I've applied for jobs at Costco , Walmart , Lowe's and was told I was too qualified . The board says I have to work as an RN for 6 mo out of 3 year probation for 24 hrs a week so getting a job outside of nursing is still leaving me out of compliance with my requirements to get my restrictions released 7/20/20 is my release date plus $12,500 in restitution. All of this would not be so hard if I had an employer that could look beyond my probation . I'm considering moving out of town , taking any RN position to meet these requirements. I worked as an Rn supervisor for the state of ca which I had to step down from as of July 20, 2017 due to these restrictions. My restrictions will not allow me to supervise and I must have another Rn present for half of my shift. That costs employers money. That's why they aren't hiring me. When they see my resume they are impressed and want to offer on the spot- until I tell them my restrictions
