Will this affect my license.

Published

I had a patient refuse some pills, and I thought I had discarded them properly, but it turns out I left them in the patient's room at the bedside. A representative from the board of nursing was there researching a separate case and decided to inspect a few rooms at random, and she found the pills I had forgotten. So they fired me on the spot.

I made the mistake, so I guess I can't really complain that it cost me my job, but is this something that could affect my license? I'm in Washington State if that makes a difference.

Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Ah, the old "Paybacks-are-hell" school of nsg. management!

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Specializes in Mental Health Nursing.

Fired without even being counseled or given a warning? Seriously? You made a mistake. NURSES make mistakes. Unless that was your dream facility, don't sweat it. You can find a much better place to work.

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Specializes in Family Practice.

Unless they reported you which I doubt, you are not licensed by that facility; getting fired is one thing you move on! Screw a reference you can get another job.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Lord knows I have had my issues with the BRN in my state. I finished a Mental Health Diversion in 2009 and ultimately ended up becoming a mental Health Nurse (How Funny is that?)

I don't believe that what you described is reportable to the Board but every state has different rules. Frankly if this was the first and only time something like this happened I am surprised they fired you. If however it was part of a larger pattern of mistakes that's a different story. You have a right to know if they reported you to the Board - you'll have to call the hospital and ask to review your employee file. If you were reported to the board you will receive notification from them in 6 months to a year depending on how back logged they are. If the Hospital says they reported you my advice is to find an attorney familiar with professional licensing issue and find a job any job and work you ass off to sock as much away as possible in case they suspend your license.

Sorry to not be more encouraging but in my experience the BRN's are only interested in Public Safety which is their mandate _ they don't give a squat about individual nurses.

hppy

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It probably won't. At worst, my supposition is that you'd get a reprimand on safe medication handling.

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Specializes in Palliative, Onc, Med-Surg, Home Hospice.
Shoot, I don't know. I thought they could go wherever they want. This individual is referred to as "The State." I thought they were from the BON, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe they are technically from somewhere else. I don't know. Can they not just go wherever they want?

The BON in my state is only over nurses,not nursing homes.

In SC, it's DHEC and CMS who investigate/survey nursing homes. The BON is NOT in any way, allowed to do that. They are a professional licensing body only.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Oh yeah, no. I'll bet my firstborn that they were there from the department that regulates nursing homes in your state. They do yearly inspections here, follow ups as needed--based on complaints, etc. No way was the BON there investigating anything, says my gut.

Shoot, I don't know. I thought they could go wherever they want. This individual is referred to as "The State." I thought they were from the BON, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe they are technically from somewhere else. I don't know. Can they not just go wherever they want?
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BON only comes to the facility if it is in trouble of huge fine or closing to do staff education.

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Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.

Just because other nurses do it doesn't make it ok! Remember there are kids that visit who may pick up that pill you left at the bedside and consume it and die! Many of the medications given to elderly are on the one pill to kill list! Think about that...

It isn't all about the patient's safety!

Annie

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Just because other nurses do it doesn't make it ok! Remember there are kids that visit who may pick up that pill you left at the bedside and consume it and die! Many of the medications given to elderly are on the one pill to kill list! Think about that...

It isn't all about the patient's safety!

Annie

i dont ont think the OP thought it was okay to leave meds at the bedside. He left them there by mistake.

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