Lost license due to alcohalism can't get it back

[tmcv8]

My sister is an alcoholic and she lost her RN license due to too many dui's. She can't get it back, way too many loops and mountains she could ever get through. It's really too bad she was a good RN! I'm an x-ray tech., I was wondering, to give her something to direct her life to, can she do anything else with her BSRN? She's still drinking like an alcoholic. I think her depression and addiction which go hand in hand is she has nothing to aim for. Please help me inform her that her life can have more meaning than drowning in beer! Thank You!

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

If she lost her RN license, she can't legally practice nursing. It sounds like she needs to seek help for her depression & alcoholism. If she doesn't address those issues she probably won't be able to maintain any type of employment.

[elkpark]

People who are determined do get their licenses back; I've known at least one RN who actually served prison time for dealing drugs she had diverted. It took her a long time, but she got her license and career back. If your sister wants to make necessary changes, she can.

I doubt she would be able to get any kind of healthcare-related job, but she can apply for any other kind of employment. She does have a baccalaureate degree. However, if she continues to "drink like an alcoholic," she's likely to have trouble maintaining any kind of employment. I hope she will get help for her substance and mental health issues. However, the impetus will have to come from her. Is she willing to go to AA or any other kind of alcohol treatment? Many cities have AA groups especially for nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Does your sister visit this site? There is lots of information and discussion here about nurses with substance abuse/dependence issues and licensure issues. She would be able to communicate with nurses who have been in a similar situation and are working past it. Best wishes.

[Twoyearnurse]

First and foremost- I am so sorry YOU are going through this- I have been on both sides. Seeing a famiy member you love in the depths of alcoholism is terrifying and heartbreaking. It sounds like your sister is VERY sick right now. Until she deals with her alcoholism there is little that can be done with her license, and there is even less that you can do. Have you considered attending a few Al-Anon meetings? You would find so many people there who can relate to you and guide you in the best way to deal with your sister, but most importantly, how to cope and heal yourself. You shouldn't have to be here, looking for jobs for her. Trust me when I say that I wanted to make life softer for my brother when we had this issue, and that the best thing for him (and me when it became my turn) was to step an emotional degree away and continue to urge him to get help. My famiy did the same for me "get help or get out". It hurt me like no other, but now that I am clean and sober; i can look back now and realize their actions were not selfish- they were life saving. Keep coming and posting, we are great support here.