Scared to death

[HardtimesRN]

Hello. I’m from Ohio and I work in acute care .I was pulled to hr and accused of diversion for giving Tylenol and morphine together and a combination of morphine and Ativan together. I took a urine drug screen and I will test positive for Oxycodone- I have a script from 11/18. I will also test positive for Clonazepam which I do not have a script. I don’t know what to do from this point. I haven’t heard from anyone as I’m currently on suspension from work. I’m freaking out. What is going to happen from here? How long do I have to work and save up money? Is there any chance this can have a positive outcome?

[OhioRN1234]

Hey friend. I am in Ohio as well. You can see my history in my previous posts.

Get a lawyer. Don't say a word to board without one. They are not there to guide you through this.

I inactivated my license as I was in a position to do so and they took three years to get to me. I think this "looks" better to the board that I "focused on my recovery." 2 year probation with a six month narcotic restriction, which is pretty light. It took a year to find a job. So it will be three years of drug tests by the time I'm done.

It is doable. Be smart. Read the comments here and be careful. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.

We are here for you. You are better than all of this bs your about to go through. Keep your chin up. Come here when you need to be lifted up.

It will be ok.

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

I'm going to try and read between the lines:

If someone were to give Tylenol and Morphine together, it would be because they were hoping the patient would get pain relief from the Tylenol if they were given less than the ordered dose of Morphine?

And same with Morphine/Ativan combo. Pt goes to sleep (feels relaxed) from the Ativan because they are given less Morphine (or maybe both), so combo creates 'knock out' effect?

I am not familiar with all things that red flag pharmacy. So, I'm asking mostly out of curiosity.

And when drug tested the nurse may come up positive for an old Rx. of Oxycodone and Ativan (no Rx)?

An old Rx is the same thing as no Rx nowadays. We are not allowed to take pain meds that were Rx'd for a toothache, if we now have a sprained ankle. And the Ativan is obvious... they are going to assume the nurse stole it. They may not know what to make of no positive for Morphine, but they never think the best.

Say nothing... get an attorney. I am not sure if I would walk back into that place of employment or not. I think I would call in sick while I'm waiting for my legal counsel.

[HardtimesRN]

I gave Tylenol for fever with morphine for pain and morphine for pain with Ativan for alcohol withdrawal. I am suspended pending drug test results. I’m not sure what they thinking. Above sounds possible.

[HardtimesRN]

Klonopin no rx

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

Gotcha

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

15 minutes ago, HardtimesRN said:

I gave Tylenol for fever with morphine for pain and morphine for pain with Ativan for alcohol withdrawal. I am suspended pending drug test results. I’m not sure what they thinking. Above sounds possible.

I would focus mostly on what they will find in the urine, as far as being scared. An attorney will help and just don't say a word to them. Good about the suspension... at least you know they aren't hoping to arrest at work.

[Rdsrn]

When i got tested they could see exactly what i took so they will see that what was in your system is not what you were being accused of taking. BUT without valid prescriptions for the medications it doesnt really matter, youre still abusing substances to them and for all they know you took it from someone else and they may investigate further. When I say they i mean your job will report you and the attorney general with investigate extensively into your documentation, pyxis record, mar, etc. Like they said dont talk to anyone, get a lawyer. That way maybe you can save yourself from getting any criminal charges.

[HardtimesRN]

How long should it take before I hear from the AG and BON? Can I work until then?

[Rdsrn]

There is no way to tell and every situation is different but all i can tell you that as long as your license is active you can work. I can tell you in my situation I knew i was in the wrong and had a problem so i self reported to my states monitoring program. I knew that i was going to be reported and the attorney general was going to investigate and i would eventually go in front of board. Ive been in monitoring since October but have yet to hear anything from board. After the AG did their investigation..i was charged with a felony and am dealing with that. I knew i would end up in monitoring either way and wanted to get started ASAP. But that may not be your route. I would definitely start with getting a lawyer. I could not afford one and didnt find this site until I was in monitoring.

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

You haven't been charged with anything yet, you're suspected. I've known some people who have gotten another job and worked like hell to save $$. You won't be able to use this current employer as a reference, obviously. The most important thing is that you don't hurt yourself with your own words to an employer.

Depending on what the outcome is of your drug screen ( 3-4 days for opiates to get out of your system and idk about Benzos ) is, if they alert the BON they could put an emergency suspension on your license. If you KNOW you are going to pop positive, then start bracing for impact.

I don't know your financial situation. If I were you, I would get an attorney and wait to see the outcome of the drug screen and employer findings on diversion. Then, ask the attorney what your options are as far as employment until BON notification. Don't let fear rule your actions, you may regret it.