Can a Tennessee Nurse Accused of Diverting Fentanyl Save His License?
A CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) in Tennessee who took waste fentanyl from the facility where he was employed, and appeared to other staff to be high, is now doing everything he can to earn back his licensing board’s trust — and his license. This includes participation in a drug treatment program and five years of drug monitoring.
The nurse, John Stevenson, said he was in the grip of the drug, using it almost daily, within three months of his first experience with the diverted waste fentanyl. The short leap from sampling to addiction is a reminder to everyone just how powerfully addictive this drug — accessible to so many healthcare workers — can be.
Stevenson’s case is also instructive in the way he’s worked with TN’s Board of Nursing to create a pathway to full reinstatement of his license, which is currently suspended.
If you’re a nurse or other licensed healthcare worker and find yourself struggling with addiction or drug diversion allegations, the Professional License Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm can help you work out an alternative to discipline solution with your state’s licensing board. Call us now at 888-535-3686 or send us a message and tell us about your case.
How Did the TN Board of Nursing Respond to This Case?
After coworkers reported that Stevenson showed signs of impairment at the surgery center where he worked, his employer directed him to take a drug test, which he failed. The surgery center fired him, and the matter was reported to the TN Board of Nursing.
During the Board’s investigation, Stevenson admitted he’d been diverting the leftover fentanyl from surgical procedures, which should have been disposed of as waste. He also outlined the rapid escalation from occasional to daily use.
As an interesting aside, the case also reveals the failure of the surgical center’s new AI-powered diversion monitoring software, which was supposed to flag any suspicious discrepancies. It did not. In the end, it was human observation that called out the problem, not AI.
The Board issued a consent order, to which Stevenson agreed, that suspended his nursing license and deactivated his ability to practice in other states. Stevenson also entered a 60-month drug treatment and monitoring program with the Tennessee Professional Assistance Program (TNPAP).
According to the terms of the consent agreement, if Stevenson remains in good standing with the TNPAP program, the Board will lift the suspension on his license.
What Role Do Treatment Programs Play in License Reinstatement?
When nurses divert controlled substances from their workplace, the primary concern for licensing boards is patient safety. If they can ensure this without ruining the career of a qualified, valuable provider, so much the better.
To this end, many states offer alternative-to-discipline programs similar to TN’s TNPAP. The focus in these programs is on rehabilitation rather than punishment. And while details vary, in general they consist of:
- Formal drug or alcohol treatment
- Random drug screening
- Counseling
- Workplace monitoring, if the nurse is still employed
- Workplace restrictions on access to controlled substances
Not everyone qualifies for an alternative-to-discipline program. It’s really up to the discretion of the Board, which will take into consideration things like whether patients were harmed, prior disciplinary history, and the degree to which the nurse is cooperating with the investigation.
The LLF National Law Firm’s Professional License Defense Team can help you navigate these delicate and complicated waters. Protect your license now by calling us at 888-535-3686 or sending us a message online.