So sorry for my daughter

Published

Specializes in Home Health.

My daughter, an RN for 7 years, DUI X 1 with no damage or injuries except herself, unable to find a job. Board of Nursing is sanctioning her license. She was told she could not work pool, home health, nursing home, etc. The only jobs can work are in a hospital or dialysis unit. This just doesn't make sense to me. The DUI is not a felony and she was not on the job when it happened, actually she had left a home health christmas party when the accident occurred. Says she didn't drink much, thinks she was drugged because drugs showed up on the screen. Funny thing, she wasn't even working for that home health company at the time of the party, she had worked for them for 5 years and never attended their Christmas party, they called and invited her to this one! I'm a nurse of 26 years and am so sad to see what is happening to her, single mom, losing her second home - the first was lost to Hurricane Katrina. I just don't know how to help her; I was always there for her in the past, I'm worthless now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. That must be very tough for her and for you as well. Please have faith that this will pass and she will be able to once again resume her career as a nurse as she pleases. And you are already helping her by standing by her and being there to listen. That is worth more than anything else.

I'm going through a very difficult time myself (didn't make it through to next class so I am out of the nursing program...LPN) but I have faith in God that he has something better for me.

You and your daughter are in my prayers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Psych, PP, ICU, ER, Peds.

Please be encouraged Isabelle. This is an unfortunate situation that has happened with your daughter, but she must move forward. Needless to say, the BON can be very challenging when it comes to care of the public. Despite the fact that your daughter was not working at the time of incident, her actions will not be excused. I can blunt, if I may, because I am dealing with them as well.

If she is on probation now, she must follow all BON guidelines (strictly) and remain compliant with their recommendations. The road will be a long one to travel, but she can do it. With your support and other encouraging professionals, she will make it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I can understand how we want to always be there for our children...but at the same time your daughter has to take the responsibility for and initiative in fixing this if she wants to continue to practice as a nurse. You can do a lot of things to be there for her, but this isn't one of them.

If she hasn't gotten an attorney yet, then she needs to get one. The BON is not the nurse's friend and they don't care if she was off-duty or whether she thinks she was drugged: they see a DUI and a positive UDS and that's what they're going to act on. Fair? Not always...but the BON isn't always fair because they are out to protect the public however they feel best. So any time she has to deal with them regarding her license, one of the best things she could do is to have a lawyer in her court.

Like iisonu said, if the BON has her on probation she needs to follow those terms to a T, because they won't be understanding of slip-ups and "I forgot"-s. At least she has the option of working in some areas and hopefully she can land a job in one of them while she works through her probation.

I wish both of you the best.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion