I am going to self-report to Georgia BON

joseywells · Dec 16, 2009

get in rehab it will help your case

joseywells · Dec 16, 2009

and it will help you

NurseRe · Dec 16, 2009

I totally agree that if you are a user, rehab is the way to go.

foraneman · Dec 17, 2009

First, I commend you on the courage to begin taking steps to change your life. However, your priorities are backwards. The very next thing you should be doing is entering a drug treatment program that is experienced in treating health professionals. Then you can work with your counselor and treatment center resources in informing the BON of your situation. This is not something you should be doing on your own and your main focus MUST be getting help for your addiction. Without treatment your nursing license is meaningless and you are sure to lose it. As health care professionals we tend to spend all our time fixing others while ignoring ourselves....and as addicts we think we are suited to make our own decisions. And we aren't. Call Talbott Recovery Campus in Atlanta.

Junebug59, RN · Dec 17, 2009

you are so very correct!!!!! i am looking at a treatment center here in south ga. i have to do it for my dui, but i am going to take it further for my own treatment!!

thanks so much for your advice! i need it!!!!

love to all!

jackstem · Dec 19, 2009

virgojd said:

thank you so much! I will check it out! and keep you posted on my journey which is just beginning!! pray for me ya'll!

As someone has wisely recommended, contact the American Association of Nurse Attorneys (www.taana.org) referral hotline: 866-807-7133. If you choose not to contact them, get an ADMINISTRATIVE LAW attorney with EXPERIENCE representing nurses before the board of nursing. If you have your own professional Liability Insurance, they may have a group of attorneys they deal with, so contact your carrier. NSO refers to TAANA. The board of nursing advocates for the public, not the nurse. Their job is to protect the public from unsafe nurses, whether its because they lack appropriate skills or knowledge, or because they are impaired by chemical dependence, psychiatric issues, or physical handicaps.

From reading your initial post, I agree with foraneman, you need treatment. Talbott is one of the leading treatment canters when it comes to addicted health care providers. Being a "damn good nurse" doesn't mean you are immune from the DISEASE of chemical dependence, just as you aren't immune from cancer, diabetes, hypertension, or hundred of other diseases. Having the disease of chemical dependence doesn't make you "bad", evil, or "less than" anyone else. Chemical dependence is a chronic, progressive, ultimately (and unnecessarily) fatal. It can also be successfully treated with an excellent long term recovery rate when the program is evidence based, LONG enough, and with appropriate follow up and monitoring (just like other chronic diseases). It is possible to return to the practice of nursing. You've got to take enough time away from the clinical setting in order to develop a recovery program, with appropriate checks and balances, AND a plan should you be triggered at work.

As with other chronic diseases that impair the ability work, some folks discover they simply cannot return safely to their previous career. I am one such individual. I was a nurse anesthetist for over 8 years. I LOVED my profession. When I developed my disease after dealing with spondylolisthesis and the pain for almost 2 decades, I was devastated! My profession had become my total identity. I reported myself to my boss and he was very supportive. I went to treatment for 28 days (which was definitely not long enough). But as time went on, I began to believe I wasn't "like them". There were no other health care providers in my treatment group. I had never used marijuana or other drugs, and I only got drunk twice (made me sicker than a dog). The people in treatment with me were using cocaine, crack cocaine, meth, marijuana, heroin, alcohol, etc. So I spent my time in treatment "playing along with the program" in order to get out and get back to work. In 1990, there were no real guidelines for addicted anesthesia professionals. I went back to work at the first opportunity (after one month) which was about 11 months too soon! Today, the AANA peer assistance committee recommends remaining out of practice for a minimum of one year...longer if possible. The nurses that I deal with who face board action due to chemical dependence are focused on one thing...getting back to work. The focus should be on developing a strong program of recovery, a strong support system in the recovering community, and a long, hard look at what area of nursing to return to.

Unfortunately I didn't do those things. I almost died twice...once from an accidental OD, the other from a suicide plan that was interrupted before I could make the attempt. I'm grateful that I didn't succeed. I have 2 beautiful daughters, a wonderful son-in-law, and am developing a career using the skills and experience I've learned over the past 20 years of dealing with my disease. I'm coming up on 15 years clean and sober. If I can do it, you can too!!

Get into treatment, contact your attorney, take things one step at a time.

Keep us posted!!

Jack

(Feel free to private message me any time).

Code55 · Dec 30, 2009

Good stuff in this post. I was one who self-reported after 2-year drug addiction to opioid prescriptions. I was in denial after about the 3rd prescription and illegally. I got sick and tired of being sick and tired. I could longer help myself. I never got caught but need help.

My wife is a nurse also and never know, in fact nobody knew. That's the way us drug addicts like to keep it! When I reached my bottom of wanting to be done, I informed my wife about it and she initially supported me. I went to a healthcare professional treatment facility, never knowing it was in my back yard, Hazelden, Springbrook.

This is where it got a little dicey for me at that time. I left treatment after 30 days even though they wanted me to stay at least 60 days and up to 90 days. Yes, I left AMA. 2-weeks out of treatment, after much heavy suggestions from other nurses in recovery, they highly recommended I report myself to the Oregon State Board Nursing (That was part of the reason Hazelden wanted me to stay.) It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do but I did. The board was compassionate and receptive to me. At that time, I really didn't get it but they asked me if I wanted to be on the monitoring program? Yes, it was a question or offer. I figured I had no choice because I told them what I had done and who I was. I was so sick at the time and said well....Yes. No, no, I do not regret it know. I still believe it is the right thing to do because I will never know what would have happened if I had not reported myself. Say, I might be dead? Or, hurt someone else in my practice. Remember, I had not informed my employer or given them any indication what was going on with me at this time. I knew that once I self-reported to BON I would have to inform my employer. It was time and that's what I did.

The hospital administration, suits I like to call them, fired me even though I self-referred to treatment and the BON. The department Head wanted willing to work with me but Admin had something else to say about it. Apparently they have a zero tolerance policy. I say now, they do have to right, but a that time, I was angry with their decision. I was angry, irritable and discontented for about 6-8 months into recovery and finally surrendered then started to accept everything that had happened to me (I am a slow learner). I can't blame anyone for what has happened. In fact, I'm thankful because I needed this humbling process to happen to me.

Hind sight can be mostly 20-20, but I don't think I would have changed a thing other than my addiction. I believe it was just the way it was support to be. I have not worked in nursing for 2 years and with over 2.5 years of sobriety. I have a solid foot in recovery and my life is much different today. I am very grateful for everything I have especially for my wife. Yes, getting a job in nursing today can be a challenge but God will make the way. It is hard being turned down for work but perseverance with win out. Today, I work with others new in recovery, attend regular AA meetings, have a sponsor and work the steps. We have a really good caduceus meeting here (mostly docs). I look at most everything through the lens of recovery these days (or I try). I have a lot better good days than bad days.

Recovery to me has given me the opportunity to start over again and live life more the way it support to be; Happy, Joyous and Free! As long as I'm in recovery and working a program and reaching out to help others, God with take care of the rest. Recovery comes first in my life because If I don't have recovery, I can't have anything else!

Glenn

debnky · Dec 30, 2009

"Well, I'll tell you this, a lawyer is likely to cost you between $7,500 - $10,000 to represent you in front of the board!"

In response to this and many other post I have been reading I just can not afford that. I feel this has to be cut and dry since I self reported. I did not divert and self reported after a DUI and possession charges. Truth is I would not of self reported if I didn't feel that they were going to find out from the police officer who arrested me. He is the one who called my employer. At any rate, I certainly am not new to recovery and believe it is the only treatment that works for my disease(12 step program). I work only casual part time and have not gone to work impaired. I have many nurse friends who are also in recovery who have had experience with the BON and I must say none of it has been positive. It is what it is and if I want to keep my license I know I must sign their contract. Maybe it is foolish of me not to take a lawyer when I go in Jan. to meet with them but the truth is I am broke after paying my defense attorney and now fines and classes. I absolutely do not have the means. I am grateful I am in recovery and did not kill anyone or myself. Unfortunately I was not carrying malpractice insurance either. I will keep you posted on the outcome.

foraneman · Dec 31, 2009

debnky said:

"Well, I'll tell you this, a lawyer is likely to cost you between $7,500 - $10,000 to represent you in front of the board!"
In response to this and many other post I have been reading I just can not afford that. I feel this has to be cut and dry since I self reported. I did not divert and self reported after a DUI and possession charges. Truth is I would not of self reported if I didn't feel that they were going to find out from the police officer who arrested me. He is the one who called my employer. At any rate, I certainly am not new to recovery and believe it is the only treatment that works for my disease(12 step program). I work only casual part time and have not gone to work impaired. I have many nurse friends who are also in recovery who have had experience with the BON and I must say none of it has been positive. It is what it is and if I want to keep my license I know I must sign their contract. Maybe it is foolish of me not to take a lawyer when I go in Jan. to meet with them but the truth is I am broke after paying my defense attorney and now fines and classes. I absolutely do not have the means. I am grateful I am in recovery and did not kill anyone or myself. Unfortunately I was not carrying malpractice insurance either. I will keep you posted on the outcome.

Do keep us posted. I am concerned for a couple reasons. First, have you have any substance abuse issues before the board previously? Second, are your possession charges felonies? Third, have the charges against you be adjudicated? Meaning has there been a hearing/trial which resulted in your being sentenced/placed on probation etc.? What was the result? What was your plea? All of these impact the hearing and actions of the board.

debnky · Dec 31, 2009

Do keep us posted. I am concerned for a couple reasons. First, have you have any substance abuse issues before the board previously? Second, are your possession charges felonies? Third, have the charges against you be adjudicated? Meaning has there been a hearing/trial which resulted in your being sentenced/placed on probation etc.? What was the result? What was your plea? All of these impact the hearing and actions of the board.

I have never gone before the BON or had difficulty with any employers in the past. I did do a plea bargain, 3yr probation, if I am without another incident the felony will be wiped off my record. I go before the judge in Jan for the final hrg, then I will have my drivers lic. suspended for 30days, I must complete a D&A assessment by the state and attend their classes they recommend. I already had an assessment by a bon appointed therapist and she recommended inpt. I plan to do this after my hrg in Jan, I already have a place contacted that I am going to , it is accredited. I meet with the board the 13th and then I am to sign a contract, they presented me with a draft when they sent the letter with the appointment. It seems like a long road but I am sure I will be able to do it if I stay firmly planted in my program of recovery, without that I will have nothing. I am fortunate that I have insurance. I have never diverted however after reading all the post it seems like I would of got a lighter sentence if I had stole. The drink always came before the drugs. I guess that is how I made it this long and still have a license. Maybe not for long?

foraneman · Jan 2, 2010

Sounds like you are doing all of the right things. One last question: Is the BON aware of your criminal charges/plea/probation?

debnky · Jan 3, 2010

I had to write them a letter and explain what happened and request admittance into the IPN program. I did not get into details and I had not entered a plea at that time. So the answer is no they do not know that this will be a felony. I am not sure if that will prevent them letting me enter the program. I realize I will not probably be able to get employment until after the felony is wiped off my record. This latter thought makes me wonder if I should wait to sign a contract with the board until I am closer to getting off probation. I was thinking it might save me 100.00+ a month from the urine testing however I don't want to ruin any chance I may have to clearing my license.