need advice

jackstem · Apr 5, 2011

It depends on the terms of your consent agreement. Each board of nursing/alternative program follows specific guidelines, usually determined by the legislation enacted in each state. If you aren't sure, contact your case manager or the state board.

The "clock starts running" on your monitoring contract when you begin working as a nurse. I'm unaware of any state that monitors you if you work outside of nursing. I suggest that you begin documenting all of your recovery related activities (support group meetings, any drug testing that might occur as part of another job, etc.) You might even consider contracting with a lab to have random screens done in order to have some sort of proof that you've remained clean during your time prior to finding a nursing job. This can go a long way in finding a job (yes...I've been clean for the last 8 months, here are my drug screens and here are all the 12 Step meetings I've attended), and it could possibly shorten the monitoring time when you do find a nursing job. I have worked with a couple of nurses who received credit for the time they had documented while they were not working as a nurse. Will the board automatically give you credit? Of course not. But it goes a long way in showing them you are serious about your recovery instead of just doing the bare minimum.

Jack

Anna Shepard · Apr 6, 2011

Hi, I am new to the site. I am so sad and confused. In 2009, I tested positive for THC. I signed up to do The alternative Drug Program. I wish I had not went this route. This program was so everything would be private. I did so because of the shame I felt.

I was also going through a bitter divorce battle. I was taking hydrocodone for migraine headaches. I had information from MD that proved everything was legit. I had put some darvocet in with some Tylenol. I don't no how long they had been in the bottle. I went home hysterical from a meeting with the divorce attorneys, this trigered a migraine. Instead of taking the hydrocodone, I decided to take tylenol. When I had the next urine screen the darvocet was detected. I could not provide a script, I don't no how long it had been in the bottle. I did not use the Tylenol, because med regime from my MD kept the migraines under control.

I had followed through with what the control officer at the NCBON had told me to do. I saw the addictologist. His report showed no addiction. Because of the Darvocet they suspended my license for a year, pending 1 year of random drug screens being clean.

I lost everything in the divorce, I cannot find employment. The Attorney General suspended all rights to any type of federal programs, employment with direct or indirect payment from medicaid, medicare etc.

I have been able to get enough money together to start my screenings. I started in Nov 2010. 3 weeks ago, I woke up in the middle of the night sick with head and chest congestion, fever and I could hardly breath. I took the cough med. I had on hand, which was generic Nyquill. I was chosen that morning for a random.

2 weeks later(yesterday) I received a call from the Dr at first lab telling me I tested positive for alcohol.

I contacted the BON to be told a positive screening for anything means, you have to begin again.

I have no job, no income, I take no prescribed meds. I have not had a Dr for over a year now. I am trying to declare bankruptcy and nothing is getting better.

I am an honest person and I am trying so hard to keep it together. I graduated from RN school in 1994.

I have dedicated myself to this profession with everything I have in me. I love nursing.

Can someone please offer some words of hope. I feel like this organization is associated with the Mafia.

The thing that I lived for and loved dearly, has crippled me. I can't seem to do anything right.

My x spouse walked away with over $500,000.00 in assests. I have nothing. 20 year marriage and 16 year career ended in 1 week. By signing the contract with the ADP, this prevented me from having any contact with the board. Please help!