CRNAs, the State Nursing Board, and Addiction: the Pedal to the Metal

I don't know where to start with this post so I will  begin and end by saying if you are a CRNA and you are stealing medications, self-administering medications, abusing alcohol, or diverting medications:

1. You may have a chemical dependency and you should be evaluated ASAP;

2. You may need a criminal defense attorney if you are stealing medications; theft of drugs is usually a felony in most states and jurisdictions; and

3. You may need a nursing license defense attorney to assist you with the State Nursing Board. Talk to your license defense attorney about your State's Alternative to Discipline Program for Chemical Dependency.

If you are a CRNA and you are stealing drugs or impaired at work, then the State Nursing Board will be involved at some point because of patient safety issues and public protection. This is a no brainer.

Local law enforcement and the State Nursing Board really go through these types of cases with a fine tooth comb for public protection and safety.  Some states and counties really "go hard and play hard" when licensed healthcare professionals (whether its a nurse, physician, or pharmacist) steal medication. The disease of addiction takes a back seat or gets placed in the trunk of a fast moving Chevy and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of patients and the public is in the driver's seat with the pedal to the metal. I watched the Fast and Furious last night on DVD!  

CRNAs, addiction, and the State Nursing Board. These cases can be much more complicated than your typical (if there is a such thing as a typical case before the State Nursing Board) nurse dependency case because CRNAs have much more autonomy and prescriptive authority than RNs and other advanced practice nurses. With CRNAs more autonomy means more money (CRNAs can do the money dance because most are making the big bucks) AND also more responsibility, accountability, and the potential for more liability.

Take the bricks out of your shoes and do one of more of the following:

1. Contact your Anethetists in Recovery (AIR) or state peer advisors for AANA. See http://www.aana.com/Resources.aspx?ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=154&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=4&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6&id=191

 Call the Peer Assistance Hotline at (800) 654-5167

2. Get yourself evaluated by an CD evaluator or an addictionologist and get treatment ASAP;

3. Talk to a criminal defense attorney in your state or jurisdiction and confess your soul because whatever you say is confidential;

4. Talk to a nursing license defense attorney in your state or jurisdiction and confess your soul because whatever you say is confidential; and/or

5. Call Jack at 513-328-7253 and confess your soul. Jack loves to talk and he will listen. Jack is former CRNA who is in recovery and works with me as a Recovery Assistant. Whatever you say to Jack is confidential because he is working at the direction of an attorney. Jack is not an attorney and cannot provide you with legal advice but he will listen and provide alot of hand holding and referrals.

Call someone or do something but get the help you need now. Today can be the first day of the rest of your life and the best day for your nursing career, license, and livelihood.  

Comments

[Jack Stem]

YES!! Thank you for posting this information. Believe me, there is definitely life after you develop this disease. Early recognition and long term treatment not only saves lives, it can save careers as well. When I went through all of this stuff 19 years ago, there was very little assistance out there. The AANA is by far the leader when it comes to advocating for their impaired colleagues. Anesthetists In Recovery (lovingly called AIR by it's members) is a national, online recovery group of close to 200 recovering individuals, most of them working as CRNAs. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you or a colleague are struggling and have no idea where to turn. As LaTonia said, you'll be talking with someone who knows what you are going through. I also have contacts in almost every state who are waiting to reach out to those unlucky enough to have developed this chronic, progressive, unnecessarily fatal disease.

Thank you again LaTonia!