Do I stand a chance?

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

Hi everyone! This is my first post and I was hoping you could give some input. I am in IPN ( the Intervention Project for Nurses in Florida ). I've been clean for 4 1/2 years and am just starting to apply for jobs. I was once a school nurse and loved it. I have an interview coming up with a school and I'm wondering if I will even be considered?

I had cancer, became dependent on the pain meds. I got help and got off of them. I never stole anything from an employer, patients, etc... Yet, I will still have a 1 year key restriction once I am employed. I know schools don't usually give out that many narcotics and this particular school is a place where children board 10 months/year. So, there will be more than just me there as the nurse. They actually have a health building with several nurses on duty because the campus is large.

My questions are these:

1. I know that schools want to be super cautious about anyone they bring to work on campus. I actually agree with that. I have already completed 2 1/2 years of a 5 year IPN contract. I have been clean from everything, including alcohol for 4 1/2 years. Do you think they will view me as some drug addled lunatic because I am in IPN? I know I'm not, but do you think it's wishful thinking of me to hope they have a knowledge of and will allow someone in recovery on campus?

2. As a school nurse, knowing the narcotics you give out at school, would you resent having to pass another nurse's narcs out for a year while she/he worked off the key restriction? In IPN they suggest that we offer up help with the other nurse's tasks to offset the time she/he spends helping us with our narcs.

When I first got the call, I was really excited. But as time has passed I'm beginning to feel more and more insecure. And I just wanted to feel you guys out for what your thoughts might be. TIA for any and all input!

Persephone

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Does this school employ more than one nurse at one time of the day? Because if not, there isn't anyone to have pass narcotics if it isn't you for that shift.

Narcotics aren't typical at my school for many reasons, but if it is a boarding school, I'm uncertain what medications may be required for students outside of class hours and how they are given. Another nurse on this board with boarding school experience could speak to that best.

Do you have any restrictions on giving out other schedule II medications? I ask this because most of the scheduled prescription medication I give out are for ADHD and every single one of them is currently a schedule II med.

As for your questions:

1) You will be Cori-checked. I can't speak for each school or if anything would even come up on Cori-check for you given you have no criminal history.

2) I wouldn't personally, but like I mentioned above, it could be possible that you are the only nurse there per shift and there is no one would could pass for you.

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

Hi Jen,

Thanks for your response. There is an allied health building similar to what they have at Universities. The medical staff are all together there and there will be more than one nurse. I have a clear background check. IPN requires the candidate to disclose prior to acceptance of the position, so it would just be the people who interview me that know. Still, there is a stigma. And I worry about it.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

If you have an allied staff person whom you can train to dose the narcotic, then maybe it will work. I don't usually have narcotics but once in a blue moon I'll get a kid with sickle cell and have something like Norco. I got Fiorcet this year too for a short-term, 10 day dose.

My point: it may happen; if you don't have a solution in place (like an unlicensed aide) then there's nobody else to dose that med.

I wish you the best of luck.

[tining, BSN, RN]

First, congrats on your sobriety and bravery. You may get a no, but eventually you will get a yes. This would be a great position as your duties could be away from the meds or have another nurse there. Narcotic counts each day. You could suggest this in your interview.

[nmr79]

Congrats on your sobriety. As long as there are other nurses who will be able to pass meds/ exchange tasks with you, I don't think it will be a problem. Personally, I wouldn't mind helping pass meds if I had a co-worker in your situation.

I also like the suggestion of bringing up daily med counts for narcotics when you interview. Best of luck!

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

Thanks again, everyone who took the time to respond. I was a school health nurse many moons ago and loved it. But, it was back when it was all based out of a health department. There were only a few nurses stationed in the schools with very special needs. We traveled around a huge district, school to school. When I thought of the narcotics involved, Ritalin came to mind. I've been reading up on this particular school and it appears there's even a pharmacist. I have learned that all this time with restrictions passes very fast. It's just trying to convince someone that I'm worth taking a chance on. I have the entire period between the interview and when ( if ) I am offered the job to disclose that I am in IPN. But, I always do it after I finish with the gauntlet of questions. There are so many people on the other side of a table during an interview these days. I can remember when interviews were a cozy affair between prospective employee and supervisor. I'm 49 and times have changed. I so regret letting my license lapse. I wouldn't have had to check the box that asked if I'd received treatment within the last 5 years. This is very humiliating and so scary. The entire tune of an interview changes once I disclose. Anyway, I would really like to have this job. Trying to maintain a level of confidence while simultaneously expecting rejection is not easy. I'll post back tomorrow after the interview to let ya'll know how it went. I'm good at talking, but as soon as I have to disclose, my head drops.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Congrats on your recovery. Best wishes to you.

[Kaisu]

I am looking forward to your update. I am thinking good thoughts for you. Keep your head up. You are courageous and eventually someone will recognize this and you for the asset you would be.

[Cattz, ADN]

Oh Persephone- You sound like you have an amazing heart. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. Congrats on your recovery and I applaud you for your open honesty and I am super happy that you felt like you could come here to "us" with your question. Please - continue to look forward and not back. Your past is far behind you and your future it yours to seize. Many hugs to you.

[ohiobobcat]

Congratulations on your sobriety. Fingers and toes crossed for you interview today.

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

Hi all. I just came back from my interview and it went great. The place is like a little hospital with 5 nurses on staff at all times, a doctor, pharmacist, etc... It's a health clinic, like at a University. They didn't seem shocked when I disclosed to them that I was in IPN, I was given the opportunity to explain. I think I might stand a chance. It's a State position, with Spring Break and Summer looming, so it will be a while before I know anything. Thanks for the kind words and I will keep you posted.