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Nurses Recovery

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Hi Everyone,

I am new to this site but have been impressed with the information I have learned here...I'm hoping for some pointers after I share my story. I had a prescription drug problem (narcotics) for almost a year, which led me to divert meds from work and lose my job. I have been clean for 55 days--which I am SO GRATEFUL for!!!! :) I have been seeing an AODA counselor and have been going to both NA and AA meetings, and was also started on an anti-depressant (which has also been very helpful). My concerns are how long does it REALLY take for the BON to contact me? I live in Wisconsin and I haven't heard a thing....each day that goes by worries me more and more. My license is still intact, and even though I don't want to be around medications--can I work as a CNA or a Medical Assistant still? I did find a job at a gas station, but I don't make enough to pay all of my bills. I know that my sobriety is my priority here, but I was wondering if anybody knew if I could work in other areas of healthcare that don't directly pertain to being a nurse. Thanks for reading:)

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Hello Willow, I had self reported in June took several months for BON to get back to me (Texas). I had to stop working in Dec and start the TPAPN process. Started back working Jan, so yes it takes awhile (maybe depends on your state too). Its easy too let worry overcome oneself espicailly in the early stages of the process. For me and many others many emotions creeped into my soul, fear, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, unfortunately we are human and have these emotions. I found it helpful to live one day at a time, get the most out of each moment. Tomorrow will come like it or not, don't worry about it will be here soon enough. You will get thru this as many of us have but its a long journey. As for working that would be a question for the BON, you may be able to call and get an answer before your case has been reviewed. It may also be up to the hospital your thinking of working at maybe a call there (HR dept.) may be of help to find out if that's an option. Keep believing in yourself and keep posting, this is a great forum to quietly voice your concerns. Peace

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Congratulations on your clean time! And good for you for getting help with your recovery. Recovery isn't an easy journey but it's one well worth every step. It's certainly better than life in addiction. I hope you have a sponsor. The biggest questions are, were you arrested and did your former employer reported you to the BON. Either way, most states have a monitoring program separate from the BON for nurses with drug/alcohol/mental health issues. I recommend that you self report to them. You could wait months for your BON to get in touch with you, even if you answered yes to both those questions. The faster you get this done, the faster you can get back to nursing (sorry I don't know the answer to your question).

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Hi Willow! Welcome - we have a pretty awesome group here on the recovery forum. It's been such a great source of help to me.

I was also dealing with a addiction to RX meds and diverted meds. I live in Louisiana - I entered our state's RNP in 1999 after getting caught at work - I called and self reported. The day I called them was actually the same day my facility reported me to them.

Only took 4 days! I guess they didn't have a giant caseload or something.

Congrats on your time clean - we are here and nobody ever minds lending an ear.

Anne, RNC

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Hi Willow! Welcome - we have a pretty awesome group here on the recovery forum. It's been such a great source of help to me.

I was also dealing with a addiction to RX meds and diverted meds. I live in Louisiana - I entered our state's RNP in 1999 after getting caught at work - I called and self reported. The day I called them was actually the same day my facility reported me to them.

Only took 4 days! I guess they didn't have a giant caseload or something.

Congrats on your time clean - we are here and nobody ever minds lending an ear.

Anne, RNC

My facility from which I diverted advised that I self report. I was lucky that they didn't refer me to my BON, as I understand they're no longer so lenient. Things moved pretty quickly from there...I was referred for an evaluation by an addictionologist who gave me no real info but sent his recommendation on to my monitoring body who then mailed me a contract. This probably took less than a month or so. The contract outlined a 5 year contract, an 8-week intensive outpatient program (IOP), participation in weekly IPN meetings for the duration of my contract, and a 12-step program. Everything was pretty painful and raw, so I dwelt in the IOP as long as I could (it felt safe), then once I got the contract I didn't rush in sending it back in just because I was so terrified. I found out, though, that it's possible to go through this process with grace and dignity. I was pretty anxious in those early days of recovery, and if I can make a suggestion, in addition to your meetings and therapy get some exercise...some intense cardio will help with the anxiety of early recovery.

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Welcome and congratulations on your sobriety! I am in alaska and we do not have an alternative program. You always have the option to self report to speed up the process, if you have an alternative to discipline program that is great! I will tell you the BON side since that is my story. I knew I could self report but chose not to. I needed that time to get stable, and am so thankful for it. It took right around six months for the BON investigator to contact me. We met that same week. The interview went well and he spoke to the board about my case and contacted me the next week advising that the board wanted me to do an inpatient screening. Now I am just waiting on that :). It's all very terrifying at times, but I've learned that nothing has been as terrifying as my active addiction or when i keep thoughts trappe within the confines of my mind. I have told myself each ttime I speak to a new person in this process "they are just people too" and this is helpful. Now, depending on your states laws I don't know if you can work in healthcare. The investigator in my case recommended a year suspension of my lisence with six months stayed. For now I am working at a plant nursery (so I am working as a nurse:)). I remind myself that I will be nursing all my life and that this is an excellent opportunity to do some jobs I never imagined myself doing. Keep posting, this is a great site.

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Oh, and awesome job on not seeking a nursing job while you can. At least from my experience, the BON is none to thrilled with nurses doing that. When he asked me the question "are you currently working as a nurse?" it felt good to say "I knew I could work as a nurse Durring this time but right now my sobriety comes first, nursing can wait".

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No, I wasn't arrested and I haven't heard anything from that employer either--so I don't know if they will press charges against me or anything. It's been 8 weeks today that I was terminated. I'm going to send in the paperwork to self-report because I want to get the process going. When I was terminated, my DON did say that they would probably report this to the BON the following week, but I do not know for sure if they did. I completely understand if they did--that's their job and I screwed up--the "not knowing" is the really hard part. I don't know if I really want to be a nurse right now, but I wondered if I could be a CNA for the time being. I think Wisconsin does have an alternative/monitoring program and I will enroll in that as soon as I can.

Thanks for your input!

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Hi Oogie, thanks for responding to my post. When you said you worked up until Dec., were you working in healthcare? I don't want to work as a nurse but I have a medical assistant degree, so I was wondering if I could do that until the BON gets in contact with me? I'm willing to do CNA work, too, but don't know if I have to completely stay out of healthcare now. I'm working on the paperwork to self-report and will be sending that in by the end of the week to hopefully speed up the process.

It's just nice to know that I can get my questions out at this forum because even though I go to AA/NA meetings, see an AODA counselor and have a sponsor, not all of them understand addiction when it comes to being a medical professional. (although they are all amazing people and have helped me a ton!!!) I hope nobody misunderstands what I am trying to say. Thank you again for your comments. :)

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Hey Willow, I got a DWI and self reported after doing a little research on relicensing. It took awhile for the courts to get me in. BON didn't move until I told them I pleded Nolo Contendre, (or no contest) to the charges. So I was able to work, I told my boss all about it. She didn't want to lose me and gave me her full support. I also have worked with her a great number of years, and NEVER was impaired at work. Only the healthcare facilities you seek employment at can really answer your question. this is a great forum with people just like you! Keep taking care of yourself, keep asking questions helps clear the mind. Peace

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