Need some help nurses

[Mason14]

My license was revoked because of opiote addiction . It has been about two years now without working in healthcare. It's been a long road but I am clean and sober. I have attended NA meetings and in an outpatient groups. I get drug tested several times a week. Ive felt embarrassed and very down on myself for along time but now realizing that I was always a really great nurse and am worthy of getting my license back. My LPN license was obtained in Ct. Just wondering if anyone knew if the time of being drug free matters to the BON. I've been clean for awhile now but I really just want the best chances to get it back. Any info anyone can give me about anything is very appreciated.

[tarab333, BSN]

Hi there, and welcome!

I do not have any experience with that particular board, however, I have been through this process twice now, as I relapsed after having a significant time clean. I know you want to get your license back, that is usually the goal for all of us. I can tell you this, in dealing with two different BONs, they have their own way of doing things, it is a process. I am sure they will take into account your amount of time clean, however, the resut will most likely be the same, some type of consent agreement that requires a specified time of urine screens, no matter the time you currently have clean. In some cases, as in mine with one of the BONs, my "time" doesn't even begin until I actually obtian a job as a RN. Another BON that I work with is going to screen me for 5 years, and it doesn't matter if I return to nursing that enitre time, after 5 years of screens, I get my license fully reinstated. So, like I said, it really is a process and it depends on the laws and regulations of each state.

My very best advice is this, keep doing what you are doing, doing the next right thing, and I guarantee you, things will work out. I know this may sound "lofty" or "empty" but it really is the truth. I have found that I must work the process, trust the process, believe in myself, and I do recover, and that means, first and foremost I recover my physical, emotional and spiritual health, and I recover my financial/career health.

Keep coming back, and putting yourself out there. In these forums there is a lot of support and I guarantee someone will say something to you that helps.

Best, Tara