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Nurses Recovery

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Hello,

i have been a RN for 4 years. I recently relocated to another state where I worked in the ER. One week I worked 5 days in a row and was instructed by severa staff members to go to an empty room in minor care where they placed an IV in me. My charge nurse even recommended I lay down and get some rest. I told her I didn't need to lay down but I received IV fluid and continued at work. Two weeks later my director called me in and stated she received a report that I was sleep for 2 hours , was tired and needed an IV because I consumed too much alcohol the night before and eventually I was terminated. I never went to sleep and I never said I was drank alcohol the day before. I worked an entire 12 hour shift and unfortunately fired because of the situation. 30 days later I received a letter in the mail stating a complaint was filed from my former employee for stealing IV fluids , sleeping on the job , and possible impairment. I feel as if I have been fasely accused. Has anyone ever delt with this situation before and what should I expect ? I have never been fired from a job or been in any trouble before. My license still has not been flagged and was encouraged by the board rep to continue school and work I am currently in a MSN education class. Any advice ? What to do ? What to expect ?

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Get a lawyer well versed in dealing with the BON. While everything included in the complaint may not be accurate you still violated nursing practice. Your license could be sanctioned, suspended, revoked. Lawyer up!

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Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

WOW. You said you were just in an empty room, versus being a patient in the ER. Did a doctor see you? Who wrote the order for fluid?

I'm sort of assuming your colleagues offered to give you fluid, placed the IV etc. without being seen as a patient. If this is the case (you received care 'under the table') the stealing of fluids, IV set up & what not is accurate.

Why was somebody (colleague, charge nurse, whoever) reporting that you were not fit for duty, as well as sleeping for 2 hours. were you informed of this allegation (being impaired at work) during the same shift? If so, they should have requested a urine test immediately. You can also get other tests (hair) to demonstrate your medication & or drug habits for 90 days.

I guess it's silly at this point, but did any other staff members get written up? Especially the charge nurse. You were obeying he supervisors input. But again, doesn't really matter since it's done already. Along the same lines, IF there was a question about you being impaired at work, they sure as heck wouldn't let you finish the shift. And again, the lack of a drug screen then & there, as well as letting you continue to work 'impaired' & becoming a huge liability to the facility... It sounds sort of odd.

I wouldn't speak to previous employer at all. And I would also have all communications through attorney. The nursing board is not your friend. They look out for the public & from what I've seen and/or experienced, it seems they like to utilize the recovery programs for healthcare professionals. Gotta get that money!

I think most states allow reporting anonymously, but did you get an official report of these accusations?

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I got an official report from the board honestly.

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Yes I did get seen under the table I was literally in the room for less than 30 minuets I did not see a doctor nurses offered to care for me

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I highly recommend you lawyer up. I was accused of stealing controlled medications at a LTC 2 years after finishing TPAPN. I had a negative drug screen, no one saw me take anything, there were no drugs on my person or in my car. Nevertheless, there was 1 pill missing from the count. The NC BON dismissed the charge after investigating. I hired a lawyer after I was fired and a complaint was filed with the BON and she was great at helping me not freak out. She coached me on how to answer questions to the BON and communicated to them for me. It was very worth it in my opinion.

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My best advice is to look for a "nurse lawyer". These are lawyers that are either also nurses or physicians. When you speak with the lawyer ask about their experience working with a BON. I called the NC Bar Association hotline to get a referral to a nurse lawyer and they kept giving me the number of employment/commercial lawyers in my town. These men had no experience with the BON and freaked me out immensely. They kept saying I would never work as a nurse again, etc... When I called (MODERATOR EDIT OF NAME) and another nurse lawyer they calmed me down and let me know that I would likely be okay.

If there aren't any nurse lawyers in your town, look at the nearest big city or the city where your BON has their headquarters. Some law firms specialize in medical/nursing law.

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Thank you the lawyers here said they couldn't represent me because I didn't have any criminal charges. I called an office left a voicemail I'm in NC as well if you don't mind I would love to call you to hear your story and elaborate more in mine

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Thank you the lawyers here said they couldn't represent me because I didn't have any criminal charges. I called an office left a voicemail I'm in NC as well if you don't mind I would love to call you to hear your story and elaborate more in mine

You need a lawyer who specializes in nursing law/practice.

TAANA Executive Office - Home

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Thank you I found a lawyer and I met with the board next week.

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Oh my! It sounds like your colleagues were looking out for you but not thinking ahead, and neither were you. The IV fluid thing is something you should probably own up to. You technically stole from the ED and knowingly accepted them without a doctor's order (it's technically a medication). But your supervisor also advised that you lay down - were there any witnesses to this? Did any of your colleagues get written up for supplying you with the fluids? If the claims they are making are truly false, they sound really extreme and they are probably trying to push you out for whatever reason. I agree on getting your hair tested to show you have no substance issues, and deny the alcohol thing. Also, doesn't your state have a law regarding the maximum hours you're allowed to work consecutively? 5 consecutive days of 12 hour shifts, damn. If your manager approved that, he/she might be violating something. Best of luck!

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Help - CA RNS on central coast or No. CA. I live near Sacto - need recommendations for MD and MH provider for evaluations. Had one MH evaluation prior to hearing that stated I do not have chronic problem but BRN is making me get a second one. I got rule out on random testing based on these evals so very important. Would like someone I trust or someone that I have heard produced positive reports before. Many are tied to treatment programs and that makes me very nervous!! I remember reading a post here from someone who used MD one the central coast. Any recommendations?? Probation recently started ugh. Need report to BRN by 4/3/17.

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