EEEEEK! Please Help Me! Losing New Job????

Nurses General Nursing

Published

:o :angryfire

Hi Everyone, Happy Holidays!!!!

I wish I had thought to bring this problem here a few days ago! I signed on for something totally different, then thought DUH!!!!!:selfbonk: :banghead: :smackingf

I haven't been able to work for a few months due to various reasons. I was sick and unable to work; then my son ruined my car and I had no way to get to work. Finally, I applied at a LTCF 11/2 miles from my house and got the job! I haven't had health insurance and benefits for years and desperately need them! I've been working for WOW! 40 YEARS and haven't built up any retirement and if they base social security on recent years, I have ZIP!!!

I also recently obtained my ACLS CERTIFICATION and IV certification!

The salary they offered me was great! I was so happy and grateful that I dropped on my knees (I'm unable to do that without pain) and thanked God.

During the interview, I was completely honest with her about my meds that I must take for depression and pain! She assured me in no UNCERTAIN TERMS that this would NOT BE AN ISSUE AND I WAS FINE! They were very happy to have me! I was even more happy to get this position!

You have to understand something...I've been a nurse for 32 years! I have loads of experience and I am a good nurse! I still LOVE being a nurse (a little tired, but that's OK) :) These past few monthes I've been through hell! I've had a lot happen healthwise and have been on the verge of homelessness, I've been hungry, have had no money for even the basics! Been unable to pay my bills, will definitely not be able to have a Christmas celebration. I may not even get to church unless I can find a ride. I have no friends and family due being ill so long...I've isolated myself into complete lonliness. So I'm on my own. There's been no way to get help...I've had to swallow my pride and ask for help any way I could think of!

Ok, now the crux of the problem...I went through orientation Thursday and everything was great! Fri, I was supposed to work, but I wasn't sure which shift (more about that later), so I had to wait for a call for 3-11 or 11-7. I called 4-5 times, but the coordinator kept blowing me off. Finally, she told me to show up for 3-11 monday, but that I had to see the DON first!

I called the ADON immediately and asked her what was going on! You can imagine how I was feeling! I was desperate for this job! She had no idea and I'd have to wait til Mon. to find out! THREE DAYS WITH THIS ANXIETY!!!

Luckily this kind lady called me back around 5p and told me what the problem was. I FAILED MY DRUG SCREEN!!!:angryfire :angryfire We discussed this! I offered my Rx to prove I was under a doctor's care! AT MY INTERVIEW! And I offered it to the lab as well! My meds have been the same for 3 years and due to being a chronic pain pt., I am NOT impaired when I do take them and I don't usually take them before work!

SHE TOLD ME THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEM...not to even worry about that! NOW, there's a problem!

Please help me. I'm absolutely TERRIFIED of not getting this job! My home situation was contingent on me starting working! I would have been paid before Christmas and would have been able to celebrate! I would be able to EAT!

I'm so sorry this is so long, but I really need some feedback.What if anything can I do? I have a few ideas but I still need guidance!

I was tempted to post this on Bipley's thread cuz everyone was waiting for her to respond and would have read this:rotfl: :rotfl:(just kidding!:chuckle :chuckle

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and in advance for responding to it!

rnmom

Specializes in LPN.

You have reached out now, and there are people who are caring about you here. We are real flesh and blood people behind these posts.

I hope things go ok for you and that you indeed get to start work after your meeting on Monday. But, as the last poster said, it may take time. Be prepared to see this through, or you will only have to start all over again somewhere else.

I have had Christmas without presents, and a family who didn't care if I was alone, and sad. I made it through the holiday, and things have been better following years. But, if that happens, and you are alone and hungry, you will get through it. Are there places were you can get a meal like a shelter on Christmas? There will be other holidays to celebrate. And you are never truley alone when you have Jesus in your heart. That sounds trite, but it's true. Christmas isn't about things, but the heart. Christmas meal doesn't have to be big and fancy, that's commerialism. And that commerialism can hurt a lot of people, you included. You might want to consider having Christmas a bit late this year. No one really knows for sure when Christ was born, some say it was in summer. The important thing is that you rember Him throughout the year.

Are there any churches you can call? A lot of them have christmas baskets they hand out to people who need it. Or if there is a Salvation Army in your area, you can go there and get a basket, you have to registar, and it feels like begging, but hold your chin up, do what you have to do. You will be a working women soon.

Sounds like the only thing holding you up is the drug screen, and you already heard that management doesn't consider it a problem. Sounds like all you have to do is jump through all the hoops. Sometimes things that exist for protection, can and do delay the honest people. Stay the course, keep walking forward. Don't let your fear get the upper hand. You have been honest, and have nothing to feel bad about.

Good luck and Merry Christmas

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:oI haven't been able to work for a few months due to various reasons. I was sick and unable to work; then my son ruined my car and I had no way to get to work. Finally, I applied at a LTCF 11/2 miles from my house and got the job! I haven't had health insurance and benefits for years and desperately need them! I've been working for WOW! 40 YEARS and haven't built up any retirement and if they base social security on recent years, I have ZIP!!!

They base social security on ALL years, not just recent. Actually, you can get the SSA to send you a complete list of years you have paid into the system and they will also tell you on this form exactly what you would be paid if you were to qualify today.

It takes several weeks (months?) to get this form but it is quite easy to order it. At least you would be able to start planning a retirement and I have to wag my finger at you just a little here. You should have been putting away money years ago. Even five dollars a month! Once you are back on your feet, please! Please, just put away a small amount monthly. Put it into something you cannot access easily. Something you cannot borrow from in a pinch. This is your retirement! It isn't too late to start a retirement fund.

In the meantime, go to the Social Security website and look for a way to order this form. I haven't done it in ages (and I found a huge error, btw) but I could find it again. So if you can't find it please let me know and I'll look for the link.

During your interview did you tell exactly what the meds were that you are taking? Or just that you are taking meds?

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It really should not be an issue if you have the scripts. Possibly she just wants to talk to you and get some copies of your scripts to put on file. Maybe she can't put you on the floor until she has those scripts in her file with a fax also from your doc stating that he did indeed prescribe those to you.

True, I take Dexedrine (ADHD) and it was a big issue but was finally worked out. Occ Health had to contact the medical officer, the med officer had to talk to me on the phone away from the Occ Health RN (don't know why, she already knew everything because I told her and she told him), since I don't take nearly what I am supposed to I usually have an Rx I never got filled (I fill every 3-4th Rx). I had to give them the original Rx to copy and file, the Medical Officer called my NP to verify she wrote the Rxs, he called the pharmacy to make sure they really fill my Rx's and then it wasn't an issue. Until my boss found out but I posted all that on the ADHD thread.

However, I have a question. Let's say a nurse is taking OxyC's. CAN she work unimpaired while taking that drug? If something were to happen such as a med error or anything that we ALL do from time to time, would the BON consider her impaired? Anyone know how that works?

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Are there any churches you can call? A lot of them have christmas baskets they hand out to people who need it. Or if there is a Salvation Army in your area, you can go there and get a basket, you have to registar, and it feels like begging, but hold your chin up, do what you have to do. You will be a working women soon.

My old hospital had their own food bank and it was something employees got first dibs on if there was a financial problem. But unless you knew someone that needed the help from our food bank they didn't advertise their policy. In order to qualify for a food box you had to volunteer at the food bank for 4 hours per food box. In a way it was kind of a good deal, people had no clue you were getting a food box and it just looked like the employee was a really stand up person for volunteering their time.

Point being, if you don't have a great holiday meal and don't want to go to a shelter then maybe volunteer at the shelter instead, or the Salvation Army. Then you are doing a good thing for people while getting a nice meal at the same time. Seems to me that matches more along the lines of what Christmas is supposed to be anyway. What is the Salvation Army's motto? Sharing and Caring?

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Specializes in LTC, HOSPICE, HOME, PAIN MANAGEMENT, ETC.

WOW!!! You cannot possibly know how much your support means to me! I've been alone so long! God Bless You, All!

Biply, let me address your point for a minute here. Yes, I've heard all the ins and outs of chronic pain management. The bottom line here and this is well documented in all the literature...Chronic pain pts respond differently to meds than acute pain. There is no cognitive impairment primarily cuz I've been taking them so long (wow, I guess it's been 10 years, now) and I've been on the same dosage for I guess > 3 years now. I don't always take them if I don't have to (it's not something I take lightly) I'd rather not have to be on anything! The reality is I have no life if I don't take care of myself. I've fought this battle for years! No more! I accept that I have to do what I have to do and I'm OK with that! If you or anyone can't accept me, well that's thier loss!

Thanks for the info re:SS. I'll try to find it! That would be good to know.

As far as Christmas goes...that's one way I celebrate is to volunteer wherever I can!!

Once more Thank you all so much! It feels so good to have your support and advice!

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Bless you. I wish you the very best. If you are unable to be with you r family for the holiday, just think how happy you will make the patients there by celebrating with them. I'd wager some need a smiling face and a loving touch.

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Specializes in LTC, HOSPICE, HOME, PAIN MANAGEMENT, ETC.
Bless you. I wish you the very best. If you are unable to be with you r family for the holiday, just think how happy you will make the patients there by celebrating with them. I'd wager some need a smiling face and a loving touch.

From your mouth to God's ears. :rolleyes: :) I would dearly love to be there!

rnmom

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Biply, let me address your point for a minute here. Yes, I've heard all the ins and outs of chronic pain management. The bottom line here and this is well documented in all the literature...Chronic pain pts respond differently to meds than acute pain. There is no cognitive impairment primarily cuz I've been taking them so long (wow, I guess it's been 10 years, now) and I've been on the same dosage for I guess > 3 years now. ...

I understand that, but how does the BON deal with this? At what point is a chronic pain sufferer abusing? Please know, I'm not talking about you but in general instead.

If there is an error, the kind we ALL make and the board is notified, at what point is a chronic pain sufferer impaired?

I mean let's face it, the board isn't always made up of rational folks up to date on research. So how does the BON deal with an issue that happens to occur with someone on long term narcs?

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Specializes in LTC, HOSPICE, HOME, PAIN MANAGEMENT, ETC.

Bipley, This issue has been debated ad nauseum :), if you do a search, you'll see. I generally avoid this type of debate cuz it really serves no useful purpose. It's kinda like a subject many people are strongly opinionated on. I've never been through this type of situation, so I can't begin to address it. I've been through a lot of other things, though. It was really hard for me to expose myself to critizism (?),judgement and whatever, but this was important enough to me to open myself up! I'm secure in my choices and know myself well enough by now that I simply refuse to even justify myself. I would stand up for myself in any situation! Bipley, I admire you, but I'm not going to get in a debate about this.:) :icon_hug:

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Bipley, This issue has been debated ad nauseum :), if you do a search, you'll see. I generally avoid this type of debate cuz it really serves no useful purpose. It's kinda like a subject many people are strongly opinionated on. I've never been through this type of situation, so I can't begin to address it. I've been through a lot of other things, though. It was really hard for me to expose myself to critizism (?),judgement and whatever, but this was important enough to me to open myself up! I'm secure in my choices and know myself well enough by now that I simply refuse to even justify myself. I would stand up for myself in any situation! Bipley, I admire you, but I'm not going to get in a debate about this.:) :icon_hug:

Oh noooo, you misunderstood. I apparently didn't make myself clear. I don't actually have strong opinions about this one way or another. I haven't read the latest stuff on it. I wasn't interested in debating the issue, I was interested in how a typical BON handles this type of issue, that's all. No debate here.

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i am so sorry this happened to u at this terrible time of year.. I dont think they can legally deny u employment if you have a R/x or a physicians note.. i will pray for u girl.......keep us posted...

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Specializes in LTC, HOSPICE, HOME, PAIN MANAGEMENT, ETC.
Oh noooo, you misunderstood. I apparently didn't make myself clear. I don't actually have strong opinions about this one way or another. I haven't read the latest stuff on it. I wasn't interested in debating the issue, I was interested in how a typical BON handles this type of issue, that's all. No debate here.

Yeah, I did misunderstand! Hmmmm! A little defensive, do ya think??!!

I better take a look at that! Might need a little work in that area!:)

Actually, I may be a little sensitive right now! I've been to Hades and back several times over the last several months. I was really hoping and believing that life was going to start to dish out a little happiness!:crying2:

If what goes around comes around then, (I hate to say this...sorry:imbar)

then I'm due! Things were finally starting to look better! This has been devastating! It doesn't help that it happened on a Fri. leaning me to stew all weekend. A real test of my faith!

Thanks so much for your support. It took a lot for me to post about all this!

rnmom

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