Anyone ever go into rehab voluntarily? How do you navigate BON/Work?

Nurses Recovery

Updated:   Published

Hi All -

RN here - currently in Alcohol counseling and AA. My counselor and PCP have recommended I go into a treatment program for awhile. I am uneasy in how to tell this to my current employer, as it would be for 6+ weeks. To be clear - I don't divert drugs, I do not come to work under the influence. My life outside of work is becoming unmanageable and I would like to seek treatment. I am afraid of

A) being fired

B) getting reported to the BON for a voluntary rehab/detox stay

Anyone have any advice for how to navigate this? Personal experience?

Thank you

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
subee said:

How is it these nurses even attracted anyone's attention.  Are you saying that the TX. providers contacted the employer?

Most of the time they get a DUI or similar and the court reports them to their respective BONs. Also some people get identified for similar offenses the occurred long before they became nurses. Preemployment uds that pops positive for weed is a huge referral source,

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
hppygr8ful said:

Most of the time they get a DUI or similar and the court reports them to their respective BONs. Also some people get identified for similar offenses the occurred long before they became nurses. Preemployment uds that pops positive for weed is a huge referral source,

I know the usual routes to a diversion program but I'm wondering how these nurses described by the OP as showing "showing no impaitment" even got anyone's attention.   Why were they tested in the first place?

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
subee said:

I know the usual routes to a diversion program but I'm wondering how these nurses described by the OP as showing "showing no impaitment" even got anyone's attention.   Why were they tested in the first place?

Sometimes something happens on aUnit and admins decide to test everyone. Sometimes a peer may report a co worker because they think there's a problem or just due to being mean spirited. Some times tx centers report nurses breaking confidentiality.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
hppygr8ful said:

Sometimes something happens on aUnit and admins decide to test everyone. Sometimes a peer may report a co worker because they think there's a problem or just due to being mean spirited. Some times tx centers report nurses breaking confidentiality.

Well yes, I get that.  But the OP is coming from the point of view that these people were innocent and unfairly treated because they showed no signs of impairment.  You, I and others know that one can only show signs of impairment IF there is somebody around who can pick up the signs and they have their antennae up.  Somebody must have had an index of suspicion something was wrong.  

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
subee said:

Well yes, I get that.  But the OP is coming from the point of view that these people were innocent and unfairly treated because they showed no signs of impairment.  You, I and others know that one can only show signs of impairment IF there is somebody around who can pick up the signs and they have their antennae up.  Somebody must have had an index of suspicion something was wrong.  

Yeah,

The OP needs to clarify what was meant. In my own case I was never impaired on the job, but I tried to kill myself and was labeled impaired. I went to rehab voluntarilly but still was reported to the BON. They used an exception in HIPAA that allows(but does not require)  Healthcare professionals to report patients if they believe the person might be a danger to patients or others. In the end it worked out as I am sober and productive today, but 20 years ago it cost me in excess of 45K, 5 years of my life and never being able to work in the primary healthcare system in my area.

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I have Restricted RN license in Texas. I can not get a job anywhere!! DWI 30 years ago.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
aaloving1 said:

I have Restricted RN license in Texas. I can not get a job anywhere!! DWI 30 years ago.

How did your liscense become restrited. Even 30 years ago Most BONs had alternative to dicipline programs. Have you chedcked with your BON about what might be done to restore your liscense. Try consulting an attorney experiened in liscense restoration and defense. 

Hppy

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
aaloving1 said:

I have Restricted RN license in Texas. I can not get a job anywhere!! DWI 30 years ago.

Not even in rehab or dialysis?  Almost all of the nurses I encountered in the program I was affiliated with, were able to find jobs.  It might not have been their first choice job but it didn't interfere with their sobriety.  

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
aaloving1 said:

I have Restricted RN license in Texas. I can not get a job anywhere!! DWI 30 years ago.

Something is amiss here.  Does Texas not allow a 30 year old event to be expunged?  I can't imagine a board restricting a license for something so ancient but it is Texas......

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Texas will NEVER EXPUNGE A CHARGE!!

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
aaloving1 said:

Texas will NEVER EXPUNGE A CHARGE!!

 

That is AWFUL.  Like I said...it is Texas.  Just another reason not to live there:)  

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
Universe93B said:

Don't tell your employer why you need a large leave of absence and don't tell any co-workers either, or friends that work there.  As long as they don't know, you can work on yourself without that threat looming over you.  

Come up with any other excuse, family member, kid health etc 

Unfortunately not telling your employer why you are taking FMLA won't work, I took FMLA when my mother was Hospice and I was her primary caregiver, I took FMLA again a few years later, at a different job by then when my Husband had transplant surgery. In both cases FMLA documentation required the  MD to fill out some of the application and I needed to grant permission for access to medical records. Even if your direct supervisors don't see any of that somebody in the organization does so there's no way I can think of to hide the reason you are requesting FMLA.

But if your employer has a policy for taking a leave of absence that doesn't require you to take FMLA it might be possible.

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