Returning to work after suspension

[snoah]

Hello,

I have been reading a lot of posts of different situations of returning to work after your license has been suspended. I worked as a LPN for nine months before my license was suspended due to my pain pill addiction. I never diverted any medications. I now have over two and half years sobriety, my license was re-instated in October 2011.I do have a narcotic restriction. And for that reason have been applying for jobs that do not involve narcotics. DO I have to tell them right off the bat that I have this restriction. I have had only a few phone interviews, and it always gets asked why I left my last position. So I go into the story. "I am in recovery, and was addicted to pain pills, my use got in the way of my present job." I try to word it differently every time. I have yet to get a call back for a second interview. What else can I do? I know that if I can get in for an in person interview it would be different. I do not want them to think that I lied because I was not honest in the beginning.? Has anyone had any luck getting a job after being suspended? How do I word this, without saying too much?

Thanks! I appreciate any help!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Many psych positions as well as the obvious chemical dependency nursing positions are very accepting as long as you have maintained your sobriety.

True that...but please don't think that your being in recovery means that you have a lock on a CD job or that it will be easy.

I've seen staff unable to keep their own recovery separate from their patients'...and this includes staff with lengthy periods (decades!) of recovery. The patients need to find their own path to recovery and they may choose to do things differently than you did. Or they may have different beliefs than you. Or they may make the same mistakes over and over despite your teaching and the fact that doing X and Y worked for you. Or they keep relapsing because they haven't hit their bottom yet. Or they flat-out are not interested in recovery and are there because they were coerced by family/friends/employers, were brought in by the authorities, or they just wanted three hots and a cot.

Sometimes staff confuse their recovery with the patient's, feeling that the patient's recovery is about them as well as the patient...and this can negatively influence how they treat the patient.

Also, depending on the type of job you get in addictions, you may be giving out controlled substances. This is particularly true for acute detox for most substances, and for tapering benzo addicts off their drugs. For long-term recovery programs, not so much. But CD positions aren't necessarily narc-free.

There are lots of staff in recovery that do very well in this setting, so definitely look at these places! But keep what I said in mind as the grains of salt. And remember that your recovery should come above all else.

[snoah]

So a lot has gone on lately.. I have had a phone interview in which I did not mention my suspension, or restriction. And guess what I have two in person interviews this week. Unreal, I am however going to be honest in both interviews and tell them my story. This is good to know though, I think its going to be a lot different telling someone in person compared to over the phone. I will keep you all updated. !

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I wish you the best of luck with your interview.

IMO, I would also bring in any reference letters that you can get from people who have witnessed your recovery: sponsors, community leaders, employers/coworkers even if not in a nursing/healthcare field. Perhaps their seeing other people testify to your character and recovery may help.

[snoah]

Thank you for that advice! That actually sounds like a wonderful idea I appreciate it! :)

[snoah]

So here is my update. Both interviews went well last week. At least I thought they did. I was honest and open about my past, and that I am sober, and have taken the steps to be back in the nursing field. I still have not actually heard anything from wither position. However there is an online application process that you are able to view. And there is is clear as day NOT SELECTED FOR POSITION. I feel horrible, and judged. I am not sure if I even want to continue on in this field. I think that I may need to open myself up to doing something else with my life. I guess the most difficult part about it all is that I am a single mom, so between barely being able to support myself and my son how am I ever going to find the time to go back to school. On the bright side I did have a wonderful interview for a scheduling center, so hopefully everything will work out with that so I can at least be making more than minimum wage. Thanks to anyone who listened to my vent!! I also know in my heart that God has a plan for me, and I just have to trust that he is going to guide me in the right direction.

[KaseyJo]

I'm sorry that you're having such a hard time but I do feel that you are doing EVERYTHING you need to be doing. You are not alone in this. I am scared for myself as well. I am here if you need to vent. I tried looking at other options for you in the Twin Cities area but I wasn't able to find much since I am not familiar with LPN positions. I apologize. Let me know if you need to talk. I've been feeling very defeated lately as well and even though I am married, he does not understand how I feel. So, talking would be helpful for me too. I have to have faith that things will be okay for us. They will be.

[Larvstar]

Im am an RN in Minnesota and just lost my job. I am also involved in HPSP and am worried that even without a suspended license or legal issues, that finding another job while enrolled in this program, is going to be difficult to say the least. I know that this enrollment is far superior to board discipline, but I think that unemployment is just one more brick to add to an addict's already crumbling foundation.

[TXRN2]

Larvstar- do not give up hope! yes, it may seem like now that your foundation is crumbling. and it is- but that is your flawed & weak foundation. you are just beginning to rebuild a strong & mighty foundation for your life based upon sobriety, truth, honesty, willingness, courage, faith- all the result of recovery & regrowth. many of us here have found jobs while in a monitoring program. it's not easy, to be sure, but it can be done. just keep doing the next right thing in front of you, one step at at time- & don't ever give up!

[Toastedpeanut]

I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you have any updates for us? Did you find work as a nurse, or choose a different route? I hope all is well!