what do i say?

Nurses Recovery

Published

Due to my new position being in the administrative area, my supervisor will not know about my recovery status, etc. It sounds like this will be a 9-5 thing but I am hoping for flexability because on thursdays I go to my early recovery group and that is at 5:15 so I would need to leave work @ 4:30. So in case I am not told that hours are flexable what do I say to my supervisor about thursdays? I have no problem comming in early to make up that half hour but I am not sure what exactly to tell her since this is going to be every week. Suggestions please! Thanks.

Specializes in ER, PACU, Poison Center.

Good luck Sassy - Dealing with the HPRP can be a royal pain in the ***. From my experience you have to tell them exactly what they want to hear and do what they tell you to do. Then you go back to meetings/sponsors etc - the folks that really know "us" and blow steam. "They" (monitoring staff) see any questioning of their authority as "relapse" behavior. It took me a while to figure this out. Hopefully this job will be just what you need right now. Stay close with those that keep you sober and show them how well you can do in this job! Good luck again.

Specializes in Neuro ICU, Geriatric Rehab.

I totally agree with the idea of staying on the dl as much as possible. When you are with the assistance/monitoring programs still and need there to be someone to vouch for your employment etc with them you have to divulge your status to someone in either hr or whatever. However, that doesn't mean that every other person that works there needs to know. Humans are nosey and "helpful" by nature and some people will find your honesty to be their ticket to help monitor your progress. And there is plenty of things that can be taken wrong and/or out of context by underinformed individuals making rash judgements. I mean what if you go to work with a sinus infection and your red eyes convinces someone your high? I have dentures at an abnormally young age (likely from my lack of nutrition and care during my using years) and while working as a waitress my coworkers apparently thought I made to many "quick visits to the restroom." Because I wasn't used to the fit of my teeth yet I almost obsessively refixed them with the powder adhesive to try to make them more comfy (I guess once I left a smidge of white powder on the counter also) so some well meaning person reported to my boss I was on cocaine. They knew enough of my past (addiction) to suspect but not all of my business (the dentures). After that I walked up to everyone and said "HEy I have dentures you nosey rosies. You want to see?" Ha ha. Now I just let my life and business be that. On the rare occasion that a coworker becomes a true friend I reserve the right to reevaluate my disclosure of things to them. Good luck with your job.

Specializes in Med Surg, Nursing Administration for SNF.

Ok, I'm a little all over the place on this issue. Being new to the job (and the facility) it is probably wise to divulge as little as info as possible. After and if you get to know your supervisor (many months down the road), you might be up front about the fact that you're in recovery. I have always been open - but that's just me. It has never come back to bite me (yet), but thats not saying I dont know nurses that have been hurt by thier honesty. Being in such a vulnerable situation, it is probably best that you take "less said, the better" approach. People can be so ignorant, especially about which they dont know. A prior "committment" should suffice as an explanation, and it sounds like you'll have flexibility after you're there a little bit. Good luck Sassy!

Specializes in cardiovascular, EP.

Sassy,

First of all kudos to you. Keeping yourself healthy and focused on your future is important.

My suggestion is with the majority of respondents. Do not ask for trouble with your new boss. I would be forthright with the fact that you have a prior standing comittment and will need to leave a little early on your scheduled day. If you get prying questions, I would simply say it involves a personal or family matter. (You being your own family).

I would not spill my guts as people are so apt to gossip and although perhaps there is no malice in their actions, you don't need the aggrivation.

Best of wishes to you. Stay strong.

Deb

:twocents:

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