[CAR1962]

Last year I was involuntarily let go from my job for using a controlled substance for my own personal use. I immediately got help, attended intensive outpatient rehabilitation and was diagnosed with Opiate Addiction. The state has suspended my license and will reinstate it if I abide by the many stipulations imposed on their order.

I have no problem doing this except I am not sure it is legal for them to make me disclose my addiction to my employer in order to get my license back. Keep in mind that I work for an insurance company, I am not in patient care or in no way a care giver.

I'd like to know anyone's thoughts on this matter or if anyone has had or knows anyone in a similar situation.

[bill4745]

Not a legal expert, but spent years running a business, and learned a fair amount.
The laws in your state may require you to disclose this your addiction. Even though you aren't giving direct care, your decisions at the insurance company may have an impact on quality of care, and the quality of your decisions may be affected if you begin to use drugs again.

[CAR1962]

Thank you for your reply Bill. I do appreciate it. I'm wondering if anyone knows for sure the state of Wisconsin law on disclosing. If addiction is a disease, and I am told that it is recognized by the American Medical Association as one and further it can be classified as a disability thereby making it a little more difficult in my mind to determine if it is even legal to make a person disclose an addiction especially when an active rehab program. My stipulations state that I must be in a program, I must be in touch daily with the drug testing to randomly test no less than 54 times a year. I must attend counselling at least twice a month and NA meetings twice a week. The Board of Nursing will know immediately if I have relapsed. I'm not saying reporting is right or wrong, I'm just wondering about privacy. I am actually glad I was caught, I believe it saved my life. I have been clean for 10 months now and as long as I stay away from the ability to obtain controlled substances, I will never test positive again in my life. It feels good to be healthy!

[motorcycle mama]

What stinks about having to disclose such personal information about yourself is that the employer can find a slew of other reasons not to hire you and it will be virtually impossible to prove the real reason they don't want to hire you.
On the bright side you may get a kind-hearted soul who understands everone deserves another chance.

I'm totally useless here, I don't know if it's legal or not, just want you to know I hope things turn out okay.

[CAR1962]

Thank you so much motorcycle mama for the well wishes. It is tough to try and regain what you have lost. I have read other posts and like many other addicted nurses, I was well respected in my field. I had so much support from coworkers and friends I was beyond words. It doesn't help though when you are looking to move forward and trying to get past the awful stigma of being addicted. I know all will be well in the end though. Thanks again!

[woody62]

I oversaw a nurse who had her license suspended for signing scripts with a physician's name, in an attempt to help him manage a crowded clinic. Another staffer stole several of the sign scripts, had them filled and was caught. She was not a licensed nurse so she only suffered criminal charges. Whatever a state makes part of their law and regulations related to impaired nurses, the impaired nurse must abide by their wishes. Also, even though you do not work in a clinical area, your employer is responsible for any of your actions. Failure to notify an potential employer of your impairment allows them to terminate you.

Woody

[TazziRN]

All of us, from different states, who have gone through recovery and license reinstatement have had to disclose to employers that we are on probation and that we have to follow certain guidelines for a while. It's a part of the process. The fact that you are an addict is private information, yes, however the public has a right to know that medical staff are safe to practice. If your privacy is that important to you, keep it quiet and give up your license. If nursing is important to you, no matter in what capacity, then jump through ALL the hoops that are held in front of you.

[CAR1962]

Thank you for your honesty. You are right, I realize I have to face the consequences. I'm not looking for anyone to say "oh, poor you, you shouldn't have to tell", I am new to this and just really wanted some guidance. My RN license means so much to me that I will do what is required and I will succeed but educating myself through people who have been through it or who are aware, can never hurt. I would have never known that each state can determine what exactly is required to get reinstated regardless of what the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) says. I understand that licensed individuals are held to a different standard and rightly so, afterall, patients put their trust in us. Thank you for your comments. I appreciate all of them. Keep 'em coming! : )

[jrnursey]

In order to work with the IPP in the state of WI, your Nurse Manager will need to send in quarterly report to the state about your performance. I believe that is the case even if your job is not in nursing. If you want to keep your license thats the way it is. If you do not want to comply with this you can always surrender your license.

[time4meRN]

Hang in there it will get better. I don't know if you have gone to AA meetings or not , (works for drugs too). But, for recovery there needs to be honesty and there need to be humility. It's not easy but needed. There are medical professional AA meetings out there. Many times they can be a good support system. Like some one stated above. Most states require a monthly report from the nurse as well as the employer. The boards know how addicts lye, steal and cheat (they see it every day), so , they require the nurse to be up front so to speak , on their daily activities, that includes work. The way I look at it is, the board has delt with addicted nurses long before you became one, they know what a nurse in good recovery has done to become healthy again. If your new in recovery the best advice would be , take their help, go to AA meetings and let them help you start a life sober that you could have never imagined. Another take on this is the board doesn't have to have these programs , they could just slap you in jail, take your license and say good luck, but they don't. They know that as a nurse you can go back to work in any area they want: if they're in good recovery. So, like I said , get some support, hang in there and "one day at a time". I know it's a lonely place to be but it will get better if you take hints from those who have traveled the path before you. You'll be in my prayer. If you need more info E-mail me.