cleaning job

Nurses Recovery

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I went ahead and took a job cleaning at the same hospital untill my six months of being sober is up. They went by my first drug test performed putting me at Feb 6 six months of sobriety. I do not know what I got myself into. I took a job in a different building, this was my best option out of the 3 jobs available. I still have run ins with people almost on a daily basis. I just do not know if this will help me later down the road, maybe with humility or this is just bad. I dread going in everyday. It is not the job itself, it is running into people. People are asking questions. I already know the word got out. Please share your experiences.

I read your post and wanted to commend you for having the gumption to take such a step. I know that if I were in your shoes I would want to hide under a rock for the rest of my miserable existence. The time will go by and things will get better. I know you think this is hard but it could be worse, as you know. Just come up with a pleasant smile and remark or two for those times when you meet other people that know you. After a time, they will tire of talking about you and move on to other topics of interest. Keep up the good work and be ready to help someone else who needs it. Bless you.

Specializes in ER.

Hi! I am glad I read your post because I am sorta in the same spot as you. I took a job at my same hospital but in the medical records dept doing audits just for a few months. The dept is in the basement but every day I wake up to get ready, I am nervous--and this is week 3. It is better once I get to work. Last week I saw an old co-worker in the elevator who I know for a fact he knows and the conversation went very well. This a.m. I actually had to take my husband to the er (where I was suspended from back in May) because he had severe abd pain. My knees were shaking but I reminded myself that this wasn't about me, it was about him. I didn't walk around the dept looking for people but I stayed in the room and I did see and talk with alot of my olf co-workers. Only the charge rn knew about my recovery. I got alot of hugs, "we miss you", "when are you comming back", etc. I just told them that I was temp. doing audits to take a break from things and then I dunno, maybe other nursing areas. People understand burnout in any nursing area. Nobody came out and asked me why I left so suddenly. It felt good to know how much I am missed and how much people want me to return and that gave me a small bit of hope that I can go back in the furutre but then I had to remind myself that I am still healing and still new to recovery. I won't have 6 months until may 09 and even then it might get delayed since this med record job is only a few months I probally won't still be doing it in may. HR did say they will cont to look for a placement for me but I might not get one due to staffing issues and my restriction. Part of me wants to just get out of this place and start fresh, even if I do have to start somewhere new with a restriction. Only time will tell but I have a hard time not thinking about how much I liked my co-workers and how much I miss working with them. If I go somewhere new I would have the chance to make new memories instead of being sad and the old. Working at the same location where you were suspended tends to be a daily reminder of what you left behind and why. I guess what I am trying to say is that even if you (or I) get comfortable with being in the same place and running into someone, we still might need that fresh start. I don't know if that helps at all. It's just where I am at and I could relate to your post. Keep a positive mind.:nurse:

thank you for your support!

Sassy,

How is your HR? Mine has been awful! When it is time to go back to nursing are you staying at the same hospital if they place you? When are you planning to move on to start over?

I would love to have a fresh start. I kinda feel stuck. My boss and I decided for me to come back when my license is active again. She does not have a problem with my restrictions and everything, she has been very supportive. She even tried to get me to be the unit clerk but hr wanted me to type 40 wpm. I can not type that fast. Not much typing involved, I did the same job as them as a nurse. Like put in orders and answer call lights. Anyway, I am planning to suck it up and go back to my unit. It is very humiliating. I see on this site how hard it is for people to find jobs with narc restrictions so I can not complain. I really have alot to be thankful for. I would love a fresh start though. I do not know what to do though. Maybe just get through my narc restriction then start applying.

I will put you in my prayers. I really identify with you about your situation.

chief, hang in there. There is no shame in honest work, period.

{{{chief and sassy}}}

Specializes in ER.

Chief,

HR has been ok and apparently she really look everywhere in the hospital to try and place me. While she was searching, I did send out a few resumes and only got one call back. It was a psych facility that deals with our issues and they are program friendly but she said that she couldn't hire me at the time because they already had others with a restriction and of course they need to keep staffing even between those with rest. and those without. A few months went by and I wasn't hearing back from HR and eventhough I didn't want to return to my hospital I thought that it would be the easiest since other places didn't seem to want to hire a recovering nurse. That's when this temp job came up at the last minute. I really don't know how long it will last and when I am done I don't know if HR will have found something because I will still have a few months of rest. left. I am currently looking online to all the hospitals in my area but most of the posted positions are midnights or med/surg which I would not enjoy. On the other hand, I probally shouldn't be picky but it's important for me not to take a job that I would feel miserable at either....that won't help my recovery.

If I had to choose, I would take a job at a new hospital or clinic to get that fresh start. It's just not that easy and only time will tell where I end up. It's not a given that I will have a position at my hospital waiting for me and honestly if that is the case, I might not care because then I won't have to choose. I would then have to get something elsewhere.

Hang in there. We have to know that it will get better and today we are better than we were in the past.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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