[jayman]

We are in California and my wife was fired from her job yesterday for diverting narcotics. She would only remove drugs when there was an order but she did not always waste and chart correctly. She has been an RN for 2 years and worked hard to get there. While working at this hospital she was praised many times for being a great employee and her patients loved her. She has no other blemishes on her record. THey told her that they were reporting her to the BRN. My wife has battled depression her entire life and has faced her mother's death, a herniated disk in her back (with surgery), a miscarriage (after IVF), and a broken ankle all in the last 2 years. She admits that she would occasionally take the wasted Vicodin at home (never at work) and thinks it may be the start of an addiction. The Vicodin makes her feel better mentally and physically. She is devastated and fears she will lose her license forever becuase of this mistake. She will do anything to keep her license and just wants help. If she enters a Diversion program voluntarily (which she's willing to do to deal with her problems) and admit she was wrong, will this guarantee that she won't lose her license? Will she ever be able to get another job in a hospital? Will this go on her permanent record since it is being reported by her employer to the BRN? Should we get a lawyer? I don't know where to start. Thanks for your help!

[hppygr8ful]

The only thing that will save your wife's liscense is to get on the phone fist thing monday morning and call the BRN. They will put her in touch with the Diversion committee. She then needs to get on the phone and get herself into a Behavoiral health hospital (if she needs to detox) If she doesn't need detox she should get herself into an outpatient program ASAP. If she's in outpatient they may not make her go in-patient.

The hospital where she worked will report her in any case, but it looks better if she calls in personally. Warning though she will be in diversion for 2-5 years and at times it's a real pain in the behind because she will not be allowed to work for 6-9 months and then will have to start in a non-patient care position. I have been in the diversion program for 20 months and have done well. I have been sober since September 29, 2004. The plus of working the diversion process is that when you successfully complete it all record of your offense is expunged.

She can go the probation route and just continue working until the Board Catches her. It will take a while for her liscense to be suspended. Sometimes they don't catch you for a few years. But when they do there is a DEA investigation which you pay for often $5000.00 or more and she will still have to go into some type of recovery program. Of course once she completes diversion she will still have a criminal record that she will have to reveal to every prospective employer.

Of course both programs require total abstinance that means nothing. Theres a huge list of things you can't take including many otc cold remedies. Of course no narcotics or alcohol. You even have to watch what you eat as certain foods can cause positive test results.

What part of California do you live in in? I currently work in recovery and am in the California Diversion Program. I might be able to help her navigate the process.

Hppygr8ful

Happy, sober and free for 20months 5 days

[jayman]

Thank you for replying. This is the actual wife writing. I have been so hopeless & lost since I was fired. I am so worried that I will lose my license for what I have done and I am very remorseful. I have battled depression my whole life and this is really the last straw that will help me to get treatment and stick with it. I was taking anti-depressants before I got pregnant, but once I was pregnant I had to go off of the meds. I started taking Vicodin after my back injury and I was taking it about once a week when I couldn't handle my depression up until 2 weeks before I was fired. I am not sure why I was diverting meds, but my depression was clouding my judgment. I would not always take them home so sometimes I was just lazy about properly wasting them. I am willing to enter a chemical dependency program if that is required, but what I really need is treatment for my depression. I am going to see my doctor and psychologist first thing tomorrow to get back in therapy and back on the antidepressants. I will also call the diversion program in the morning.

I have a few questions. If I join the diversion program and complete it succefully, is it guaranteed that I will be able to keep my license and get another regular nursing job someday? Will my license still be subject to discipline? I never was impaired at work and had a great record up until this incident. By volunteering for the diversion program am I essentially pleading guilty to actually being impaired at work (which I wasn't)? I also noticed that there is a list of nursing support groups on the BRN site. Should I contact one of these groups first thing Monday morning? I have a very supportive husband and family so I am okay being off work for a while. All I want to do is admit what happened and get help so I can feel good again and keep my license that I worked so hard for. I am in Southern California (South Bay) and would love any help you can give me. Thanks again!

[hppygr8ful]

Diversion programs were set up in order for nurses to get help and be able to maintain their liscense. If you complete diversion you will be able to keep your liscense.

Warning : The board of nursing will want to see you in some form of drug/alcohol treatment. They do see the value in therapy and in fact will want you see a therapist but they demand some form of substance abuse treatment and if you don't find one they will find one for you. My experience in the last two years is that if you are already in an out patient program they will be satisfied with that unless you relapse. If you don't have something in place they may demand you enter into a 30 day in-patient program.

Like you I have suffered from dysthymic depression for most of my life. Getting sober and working the 12-steps of recovery and yes the diversion program as saved my life and my depression is for all intents and purposes in gone. I still have bad days but don't we all.

Hppygr8ful

[hppygr8ful]

Just wanted to ask how it went today? Did you get in touch with the board? Did you find out about treatment. We do have detox and out-patient where I work But it's a long way for you to drive as we are in Covina Calif. You might look into American Recovery Centers. There are ways to get insurance to pay for your treatment so don't just take no for an answer!

Your program will be overseen by Maximus Diversion and will be as easy or as hard as you make it. The key is adopting an attitude of acceptance about your disease and the recovery process. If you scroll down through the messages on this board you will find one reguarding a web group for medical professionals in recovery. I go there daily and You can always find me there.

Peace and Namaste

hppygr8ful

[maggiedanurse]

get the help you so desparately need!!! in the mean time get another job away from the profession. working with you people is an absolute nightmare!!!!

[Ann RN]

Originally Posted by maggiedanurse

get the help you so desparately need!!! in the mean time get another job away from the profession. working with you people is an absolute nightmare!!!!

Someday you may need support - you never know! Drug addiction is a disease (per the CDC). I am proud of myself in my recovery. Maybe "working with you people" is our nightmare.

[hppygr8ful]

Originally Posted by Ann RN

Someday you may need support - you never know! Drug addiction is a disease (per the CDC). I am proud of myself in my recovery. Maybe "working with you people" is our nightmare.

So well said! I too am proud of the work I've done in recovery. I am now back to nursing with all my priveledges restored. Because I am open about my addiction so many of my fellows have sought me out as a resource to getting help no only for themselves but for loved ones as well. Studies indicate that 1 in every 15 nurses suffers from an addiction. Many employers welcome us back with open arms because they know that the recidivism rate among diversion nurses is very low.

But I have found a few nurses who are very intolerant of us. There was one charge nurse that I was working with who made a very verbal point of not allowing me to have keys even though my narcotic access had been fully restored without restriction. It didn't really bother me because it just made more work for her but one of the nursing supervisors overheard her and she ended up getting fired. A few months later I saw her at an AA meeting and though I welcomed her with open arm's and heart she wouldn't look me in the eye. Go Figure.

Suzanne
Happy sober and free 21 months and 12days

[medi]

Originally Posted by maggiedanurse

get the help you so desparately need!!! in the mean time get another job away from the profession. working with you people is an absolute nightmare!!!!

For the love of God where's your humanity and compassion to say something like that to anyone at all- let alone a fellow nurse who is so obviously suffering enough already AND is here seeking honest advise in order to start on a path towards healing? I wouldn't treat an insect the way you just treated her.... I can only hope you have more empathy for the patients you care for on the job.... *sigh*

jayman's wife....
this is the first time I've looked inside this topic..
I think the fact that you admit to having a problem and are seeking REAL solutions is the key--- you want to fix the problem-- I'll be praying for you

[CABAYRN]

This is the first time I have posted a reply on this site...I was just really touched by your wifes situation because I have been there. I have been sober for almost three years; all of that time in the CA diversion program. I got caught diverting Morphine; the next day turned myself in to the BRN. Diversion is the hardest thing I have every done but it has saved my life! After almost three years in the program I am back in patient care nursing with full access to drugs. In January (God willing) I hope to be granted transition out of the program. Remember, even while in diversion, there is no blemish on your license. While you will have to tell prospective employers (because you will need a work site monitor) it is by no means a closed door. I am have been so humbled and grateful for the outpouring of encouragement and support from my current employer (who hired me in to patient care 6 months ago.) Hang in there! It does get better and this too shall pass!