Any PEER nurses from OK out there?

Ya, it really suck getting work. If what you mean by voluntary is that you self- reported? I self reported as well and sometimes regret it. It's been very difficult to get a job. Nurse managers and administration seem to very paranoid, unforgiving and seem to know very little and have no insight into addiction. It's certainly a double standard when we work in a profession that is compassionate, understanding, and forgiving. It's certainly not the case when it comes to one of our own. It's true about the tale of "nurses eating their own." I think folks that are truly working a recovery program and live by the principles of recovery, are some of the BEST nurses out there! We no longer have a choice to be honest, ethical and above all nonjudgmental. They don't have a clue what kind of nurses and people we have become. It continues to be the state of affairs in most people's mind.

I know I am not going to be very helpful with this post. Because I am currently dealing with some of the same stuff right now. Only I haven't even began job looking yet. I graduate a year and a half ago, I applied to take my licensure, was told that I would have to sign a stipulation order, which I did. Was also told by the Board of nursing that I would receive all instruction for classes to take etc. that would be required in the stipulation order. Then received a letter in March telling me the board denied my stipulation order. Now, I'm having to appeal with the Oklahoma Board of Nursing because they have denied me to even take my test because I was convicted of 2 felonies and 4 misdemeanors over 11 years ago.

I probably wouldn't have even went to nursing school, but I called the board of nursing long before I ever started school and they told me that as long as it had been 5 years they would license me and now they pull this crap!

By the time I get to take my test, I will probably fail because I've been out of school a year and a half. I do understand your frustrations, about getting a job. I can only imagine if I get to take my exam, I will probably never get employed with my background.

Well good luck and I hope you find a job to suit your needs in the near future!

Thanks! Trauma: I have seen a lot of dialysis listings lately. It seems they used to say "will train". Now they want experience in dialysis. Even so, I applied for them all, lol!

I don't have a restriction on my license, per se. I was self report. It will, and doesn't show on my license at all. But while in peer i have to abide by the contract I signed that has limits on what I am allowed to do until I get out.

The thing is, I have glowing references, great work history..and even the two supervisors I worked for from where I reported give me a good reference. because they know I will work to get over the "bump" in my road. Just when managers hear the word "peer", they assume you were at the med cart stealing. shoveling drugs down your throat or slamming morphine in your veins.

Definately enough that, if I had to go do it again, I would've went with my first instinct, went to AA and outpatient privately. But who knows. I think I charted my life path by making sure that, in this life, I would learn lessons the hard way

"Just when managers hear the word "peer", they assume you were at the med cart stealing. shoveling drugs down your throat or slamming morphine in your veins. "

I'm sorry...I don't know why, but this just rubbed me the wrong way. Do we really need to judge, criticize or use harsh phrases like this AMONG OURSELVES? Am I just in a funky mood? I mean I was "slamming" dilaudid in my veins, and stealing vicodin, does that anyone better than me? or worse than me? I think I'm sensitive tonight and might regret saying anything but for now, I'm gonna let it stay.

Sorry if I offended. I certainly wasn't saying that to do so nor do I feel I am better than anyone, nor was I saying that. But I do use those references, because that is how I feel many employers look at nurses in peer. I have also heard nurses actually SAY that is exactly how some nurses who aren't educated on peer think about it. But they don't look past this. It's hard to get hired when many employers only narrowly think of it that way. Especially when there are many different reasons, situations, and infractions that lead us to either A) come to the program or B)be ordered into the program.

I wish more would see that we aren't lost causes. Most of us can be and are some of the best nurses they could have working for them. This is where I feel peer needs to find advocates and educators to go out into the community and teach about what peer is, what they do, and how we are monitered during re-employment.

Whether you are volunteer or board ordered, it doesn't matter anymore. You're in the same boat as the morphine, dilaudid slammers, et al. Get used to it and thank your life that you still have it, your life that is. You could have just as easily been ordered, but you are one of only a very lucky few addicts that get help before you're forced.

Looks like I will be entering the peer assistance program. What is it like? Any info you give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you from a fellow okie

I know this post is several years old but im in the same boat now and have actively been searching for jobs and turned down on multiple occasions. Any recommendations?