Would you tell the BON about brief relapse?

Nurses Recovery

Published

Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I'd like to hear what everyone's opinions are on this matter. I had over 6 years of sobriety and then because I stopped putting my sobriety first, I relapsed briefly. Thankfully, I came to my senses, re-established relationships with God and my sponsor and started back with meetings. I did everything the BON had taught me to do during my 5 year contract with them.

My question is would you tell the BON? Now? When it was time to renew your license? I have discussed this briefly with my sponsor but am wondering what others would do. I know that when it comes time to renew my license in a little less than 2 years, I will be faced with this decision as well since we have to do a short paragraph of why we had been disciplined in the past, a description of our program of recovery, our sobriety date, etc. Obviously, by putting down a different sobriety date, it could potentially be a red flag to the board.

There would be many repercussions to being placed on another 5 year contract. And some of them would be severe and life altering. And yes, I understand relapsing has devastating effects as well, one of which is death. I just want to know when you get right down to it, what would you do?

Thanks!

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Does your BON ask about sobriety date? Ours asks about treatment for alcoholism, etc, in the last 5 years.

this is my opinion only, and it may not be popular: Unless they ask specifically about relapse, I wouldn't volunteer it. All the people don't need to know all the things.

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I would talk to an attorney who is a practicing nurse before I would make this decision. There are several nurse attorneys who specialize in this area and who can advise you on how to proceed in regards to the BON for your state. They are familiar not only with the Nurse Practice Act for your state, but on how your actions can be interpreted by the board, and how your actions were or were not appropriate and what steps, if any, you need to take.

Congratulations on achieving your sobriety again, I know it's a tough road in a lifelong journey.

Blaze

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

Even more unpopular opinion but I would omit/lie about this relapse, too. You are working a program and it sounds like you have outside folks involved who can act as sounding boards for your thoughts and behaviors. Can you afford another 5 year program? Can you hold yourself accountable without needing the BON right there?

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It is almost always best not to provide one's adversaries with ammunition. A different story if a member of the Board was present in the room and observed and recorded your behavior.

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We are honest but we do not fall on out own swords. I would not tell them unless it would lead you down the road to relapse.

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No need to martyr yourself because of someone else's definitions-

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No, probably not the best idea. I hear you saying you are back with your sponsor and focusing on recovery again--I think you have made the right choice and there is no need to involve the Board at this point. If you honestly take inventory and find that you know you cannot stay clean and sober without having to be accountable to authorities, by all means let the Board provide that structure--your life is far more important than money, pride, aggravation, or anything else. But if you can--and do, from this point--stay on the path without being on a very short, Board-mandated leash, keep this strictly between you and your sponsor.

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if they don't ask I wouldn't offer the information. We all know that relapse is a part of recovery. unfortunately people who haven't been where we have ....ie. BON don't understand that.

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I would not. Absolutely no.

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I've been clean for almost 11 months and am in my state's monitoring program for diversion of narcotics and addiction to pain pills. Fortunately I don't have to work as a nurse to fulfill my contract, so I haven't worked as a nurse since last March. I did interview for few jobs, but haven't had any luck yet, which I am perfectly ok with because I know that eventually somebody will give me a chance. I'm just so grateful to be sober! :)

Sorry to ramble, but I do have question about someone I met in one of my NA meetings.....they are also a nurse and in our state's monitoring program. They have the same stips as me (no giving narcs, no homecare or hospice and need direct supervision, etc.....BUT.....they recently told me that they accepted a part time nursing job for a local homecare company and I was like.....what...? Um, YOU CAN'T.....it's in your contract---WHAT are you THINKING? ! ?? So I told them this and they just got snappy with me and told me that they were sick of waiting for a nursing job and needed to make some decent money again. Wow, I was quite surprised by their response and didn't know what to say because how could they risk jeopardizing their monitoring program?? I know that they are just hoping they won't get caught, but what if they do? How would they find out? Does the state board of nursing monitor our license so they know if or where we are working? I'm only asking those questions out of curiosity.

I'm very worried about them, and I hope they come to their senses but I know I can't do anything about their decision either.

Sorry I carried on......just wondering what others thought of this.....

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Wow--major bad news if this person gets caught. Clear violation of the monitoring agreement, which can and probably will result in the lifting of a license suspension or other disciplinary consequences; if there wasn't already a suspension (stayed) in place, if the person gets caught in such a serious violation, there will almost certainly be a suspension or other very serious penalty now. Bad, bad decision this person is making! You can't change it, though--all you can do is voice your concern and it sounds like you've done that, which was kind and caring of you.

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