I really need some guidance right now. Long story short, several months ago my boss pulled a report from our Pyxis that said I hadn’t wasted. I was confused because I’ve never not wasted but he said the percentage of narcotics I pulled was too high and basically don’t give narcotics. At this time I was in the ER and frequently made to float therefore I was giving medications all over the ER as that was literally my role. Later that day he came and said the report was incorrect and pretty much disregard the conversation. I didn’t question this because I knew I had wasted. Later I gave a narcotic for another nurse, she pulled it up and had handed it to me because I was in the room helping, my boss asked about it and when it was realized I gave a narcotic I was fired and he said that even though the report was incorrect I wasn’t allowed to give narcotics. This was then reported to the BON, I have a lawyer and am waiting for them to decide what to do. Ive read about this extensively and it seems like no matter what really if you get into a situation like this you’ll be placed on probation and monitored. My question is, is it worth it when I’m not doing drugs? I mean I can fight it to an extent but it just seems like you can fight all you want and still be placed into it because of risk or because you’re stressed which is difficult to accept. I feel like I’m going to be backed into a corner and have to submit to it no matter what just to keep my license. Will I be able to find a job? I won’t be able to work in the ER like I have my whole career.
I’ve been a nurse 8 years and have never been in trouble nor do I have any history of any type of substance abuse in my background. I also never was asked nor refused to take any type of drug test.
Im just feeling really depressed and anxious about all of this and would really like any guidance or advice on how this may all play out. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and respond if you do!
I have been asked to come in first thing in the morning to speak with HR and my CNO in regards to narcotic discrepancies. They wouldn't give me anymore info. Any one have some suggestions for what to expect or what to say?
Well, if HR and the CNO are coming, they’re going to be prepared with Pyxis or Omnicell reports that have been pulled. Every time you touched the machine is going to be in a neat little printout. Is this something you’ve been expecting? Or a total surprise?
Mine definately was. I wonder if I have a chance of fighting it. I do have a past history of substance abuse. However, I have over 2 yrs of documented sobriety as I am in a MAT program, both observed & unobserved usds & random medication counts. The BON referred me for an evaluation over a felony that was 13yrs ago. I'm a brand new baby nurse. I have not done anything wrong other than my past & apparently being on MAT. I've not even been given the chance to practice yet. I have been a CNA for over 2 yrs with no problems, graduated nursing school the first time around & maintained honors throughout the program. All while on MAT. At first the evaluator said I didn't need monitoring then one phone call to TNPAP & now all of a sudden I need monitoring for 6 months after I taper off of my medication. All bc of a felony from 2011 & me being on MAT. ??? The evaluator gave me a safe to practice but now bc of my MAT I have to have another safe to practice from an addictionologist since it's a controlled substance.
I wish that the TN BON and TNPAP would get on board and recognize that recovery with MAT is evidence-based and beneficial to nurses who have had substance use disorders. I do know that they are slowly changing their attitudes toward it, and I have heard that in the near future they may start allowing it, but I will believe it when I see it.
So you have to get ANOTHER evaluation? That's crazy. The evaluators that TNPAP uses are board certified in Addiction Medicine. Are they wanting something from the psychiatry angle?
I was the original poster and I am happy to say I got a lawyer and fought it. Thankfully I only had to do a medication safety class online and then my license was on probation for 6 months. I didn't lose my license or have to do any sort of TNPAP program. I left the hospital and got a great job and am now in nursing management.
DistressedRN
65 Posts
ams0822 I hope you had a good outcome. I saw this post and was wondering the same thing a few weeks ago.