Create a New Forum Admin Login Member Login Contribute to Voyager Search VoyForums Help Desk VoyForums Exchange VoyForums Directory/Categories VoyForums Homepage VoyForums News FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Sat, April 25 2026, 15:45 PDT

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, [9], 10 ]

Subject: Re: Dear BON...

Author: Deeana

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: Sun, Jul 29 2012, 13:25:09 In reply to: Jim 's message, "Re: Dear BON..." on Sat, Jul 07 2012, 7:17:07 In 2006 I had a complaint filed against me with the PA BON. I was an older, well-experienced Occupational Health Nurse 3 months into a new position in private industry. The Medical Director was a D.O., not certified in Occupational Medicine, who was #1: weird as hell and #2: an obvious lackey to management. In addition, he was known to be taking opiates for his "chronic kidney stone problem". On my 3-11 shift, many a call to him was answered in a slurred voice, along with instructions to not call him back unless absolutely necessary. I was experienced enough to be extremely familiar with State Worker Compensation laws and OSHA reporting requirements. Too experienced, as it turned out. I had been well-trained in administration of on-site urine drug screens. Administration of an on-site breathylizer test was new to me, however. When I learned the on-site machine had not been calibrated for over two years, I questioned it. When I questioned on-site drug screen results obtained after being performed on the 12A-7A shift by untrained "guards", I sealed my own fate. Three days later when I reported for my 3P shift I was surprised to see the doctor present. He invited me into his office, said he thought I "smelled funny" and "may have been drinking" and requested I take a breathylizer test then and there. On the very machine I had questioned. Strongly suspecting the machine was skewed, I refused the test and was terminated. The dear doctor went on to report me to the BON. I received a letter from the BON explaining their "program" and requesting I visit a specific "drug evaluation and treatment company". AND I was directed to request a certain named "Counselor". Naive as I was then, I called, spoke with a counselor who told me that the named counselor was "no longer with them". Despite the letter from the BON stating that the counselor who evaluated me MUST speak to the BON prior to the eval, this counselor convinced me to come right in, everything would be fine, they did this all the time. I went in and was urine tested and evaluated. I was verbally told that it did not sound like I had a problem with alcohol at all. (I didn't have a problem with alcohol. I also didn't mention anything during this interview about any problems at my workplace.) I was told that despite this, I would likely have to attend AA meetings for some period of time in order to satisfy the BON requirements. Two days later, I received a call from the same "rehabilitation counselor" who now told me I would need to attend an "out-patient rehab program" - a daily, all-day program - for at least a month and then they would "see where I was". Plus regular and random urine testing, AA meetings for five years, etc. etc. etc. And the guy was coming off like a used car salesman, telling me that "I won't get a better deal anywhere else" and that he could "arrange for payments for this program through grants". Suspecting a rat, I "just said no". After that, I refused to participate in anything further from the rehab place or the BON. A BON "investigator" called me, wanting to set up an appointment for me to "tell my side of the story". I said no. This dude was so persistent that he twice came un-announced to my front door. Called me using his cellphone and said "I'm outside in your driveway". I told him "Get off my property or I will call the police". After obtaining a copy of the actual "drug and alcohol evaluation" paperwork, it turned out there were changes made on the evaluation form. I will say that the "counselor" left the original comments and numerical evals on the documents, crossed them out, dated and initialed his changes - which were dated the day AFTER evaluation. I guess he talked to someone at the BON the next day. I think somehow he was trying to protect his own job, because you could see the results of the initial eval and also see the changes. Oh, and each change made the eval worse. Perhaps nobody ever requests a copy of their eval? Bottom line: It took the BON two years to suspend my license. I NEVER responded to ANY of their requests. None. Including, eventually, natch, their request for a psych evaluation. Nothing. In the meanwhile, I had long before obtained employment that did not require a nursing license. Finally, after the two years, the paperwork came in the mail directing me to send in the actual paper license. Along with the letter was a copy of the "complaint and judgement" or whatever they call it. In reading over this paperwork, the information cited had absolutely nothing to do with me! It was describing some poor nurse who worked at the other end of the state, and her "crime" had to do with the narcotics count on her hospital unit. I sent in the requested license and contacted my attorney, requesting him to contact the BON to let them know their paperwork was all screwed up. The end of the story: Two weeks after I sent the license in, phone rings and guess who? Yep, the BON "investigator" is once again outside my front door. He wants me to "sign papers and give him my license". I told him to GTF out of here, I sent the license in and I will sign nothing. After two years at my "new" job, which I really liked, by the way - and it was health care related - I retired. I bless each and every one of you who is dealing with this "administrative justice" system. I could see almost immediately how dishonest they are and how they can control your life. Did you ever see the profile of a nurse who is reported to the BON? Interesting read. Majority are independent types, many in a new postion where they "don't fit in" to the status quo. Many whistleblowers are gotten rid of this way. And yes, I too said to myself "I went through all the trouble to become a nurse, and now this?". Well, once a nurse, always a nurse. No one ever takes away your knowledge or experience. You just need to "think outside the box" in terms of employment. You have skills. You have knowledge. You can use and share those skills and that knowledge in many venues. And you might find that you are much, much happier in alternative employment. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]