Another month down

Nurses Recovery

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Hi,

So, as of today, I have been sober for 7 months. I have been in my monitoring program 3 months (participation wise) and 1 month 2 weeks since I signed my recovery monitoring contract. Hopefully, in a month and a half or less (I don't know what date it goes by), I will be looking for my first nurse job.

I have countdowns. I mark another day off each day. It helps.

Hey, Amber,

You are slightly lucky then. Substance abuse/detox/mental health companies tend to be nicer on people in recovery than others. I don't know what to tell you on how to sell yourself because it actually often depends on the facility. A local detox/substance abuse clinic actually only hires people in recovery, which is wonderful. As of now, they are only hiring physicians and are at full capacity in the other healthcare fields. So, that's not an option for me or anyone else. Maybe in the future.

My point is, just ask around and ask them how they feel about the monitoring program in your state. Some may say "Yes, please apply." and others maybe be like "No, thanks. Good luck in your recovery though."

I have not been on nursing job interviews yet, but here's what I am planning to mention. I am going to be honest about it. I am going to add what positive things it has to offer. They are as follows:

1) I have genuine empathy and understanding of others with substance abuse issues (and mental health issues, please only mention this if it applies). I don't feel like I am grasping at straws in talking to people going through this--it's natural. I am not saying that I always know what to say, but I do feel as though I do not have to always work at it. There's less belittling the patient/client, therefore, they may be more apt to listen to what instructions you have offer. People who have not gone through this are more likely to say "why did you do this?" or "don't do that", etc. (not all non-recovery nurses are like that, though.)

2) I do get drug screened randomly and averaging 3 times a month (insert your number in that place, it varies by state.) That's actually a great thing for employers as it usually guarantees (unless someone slips, then they are likely to be fired and kicked out of the monitoring program) that the potential employee is clean and sober. You do not know that about other potential candidates. I always looked at it as 'I would rather know what I am dealing with than to deal with an unknown.' Just because someone says "no, I don't have mental illness or I am not on drugs", etc. does not guarantee it. After all, people do sometimes lie. There are some un-accepting people out there and sometimes, people feel as though not disclosing will help them. It's understandable.

3) I am more likely to stay at a job that hires me in the nursing role because I am in a monitoring program. Not too many places will hire nurses in this situation. Be grateful for the job and give them 200%. Someone who does not understand substance abuse, dependency, and addiction is more likely to get frustrated and quit. They have zero obligation to stay and could easily get a job elsewhere. So they might. Please reword this in an interview. I come across as snarky. Again, not all non-recovery nurses will get frustrated, just slightly more likely.

Hope this helps. Good luck in the job hunt!

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Thank you those are very good points. Been so busy thinking of all the negatives that none of the positives had occurred to me.

So, I think I have mentioned on here a time or two that I have been doing a lot of arts and crafts to help me cope. I love arts/crafts and music. I made a board that I am counting down the months until I am done with my monitoring program (HPMP). It's on the back of my bedroom door. The plan is to create something to add to the back of my door each month (a decorative plaque with a quote or some little art thing) and have a nice little "inspiration" wall or whatever you want to call it.

I will attach a picture of my progress with this project each month. The picture I am attaching is of my "countdown board". I am at 55 months left, I should have 54 months left at the beginning of February.

Enjoy. If you like arts and crafts and have made something like this or will make something like this, feel free to share. :)

i think that is a fabulous idea!!!- great diversion (!!!!hahaha), great inspiration, great use of your creativeness!!!;) please keep us posted!!

Thanks! I told myself that I would try and make these years some of the best years of my life--either through bettering myself, helping others, etc. I am trying to really soak in the experience and try and stay positive! It's hard sometimes, but that's the aim.

So, 54 months left...actually soon, it will be 53 months. For month 54, I made half a tree...the tree will eventually be completed. I have become slightly busy in my volunteering, small job, grad school application, and nursing job search to complete it this month. I did, however, make a drawing that I will share for month 53, when it comes time. Enjoy! :)

Specializes in LTC, Management, MDS Nurse, Rehab.
So, 54 months left...actually soon, it will be 53 months. For month 54, I made half a tree...the tree will eventually be completed. I have become slightly busy in my volunteering, small job, grad school application, and nursing job search to complete it this month. I did, however, make a drawing that I will share for month 53, when it comes time. Enjoy! :)

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Yay..I have eight months left :)

So, I am a little behind on my picture/countdown updating; but, I thought I would post, anyway.

I have been in HPMP for 8 months.

I have a year sobriety. :D

pink-cupcake-candle.jpg

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! WOO-HOOOOOOO!!! :D:):up:

Specializes in LTC, Management, MDS Nurse, Rehab.

Yayy....I have 7 months left.....had a bad dream last night. I signed on for my daily check in and it said disqualified .....woke up scared.... I dont mind taking random drug screens...I can not wait until I am done with this program...anyone else have these type of dreams?

That's great for both of you!! Michelle I do all the time, I always have that feeling like I'm missing something. I went to my first aftercare last week and that has me more on alert than ever! So many of them started in the AP and then kicked out for various reasons or even denied reinstatement, NCBON is tough!

Specializes in LTC, Management, MDS Nurse, Rehab.

I stay nervous im gonna mess up in some way shape or form....Scared of losing my job...scared of losing my life again....I fell really hard when i lost my license...I lost almost everything.

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