bipolar recovering addict cant get job ! is it over

lildee67 · Feb 11, 2015

Hi PCORRAL, I have been where you are myself. It is extremely frustrating, and seems to take FOREVER to get your nursing license reinstated. I was addicted to opiates, surrendered my license voluntarily, went inpatient and then outpatient. During the waiting process I was financially broke too. I needed to find work ASAP, I was late on my mortgage, and late paying my electric bill, and about to have no electricity. I could not think of any other kind of work, except nursing, because that's what I been doing most of my adult life. I started as a Nursing Assistant way back in the 80's. I called the Dept of Health to find out what I had to do to re-activate my Nursing Assistant certification. I had to pay a fee, and pass a written and clinical exam to be a Nursing Assistant again. No big deal. A lot of my friends who are Nurses told me I was crazy to even consider working as an "aide" again, after being a Registered Nurse with my BSN. I wasn't too fond of the idea myself, but here in NY State, a CNA that is certified can make up to $18/hour to start in some places, depending on experience, and I had ALOT of experience ! I became a NYS certified CNA, and worked full time and I made just enough money to keep my kids fed, pay for the roof over our heads and sometimes pay my electric bill on time :sarcastic: . I had to learn to eat a BIG piece of Humble pie for almost 3 years, until my Nursing license was reinstated. I learned a few valuable lessons as a CNA. Without Nursing Assistants, we Nurses would be in a whole lot of trouble. I learned to really appreciate the Nursing Assistants, and came to realize how hard they work. Working as a CNA might help you financially, like it did for me, just an idea though, please don't be offended for me suggesting that, just trying to help and share how I dealt with the same situation. It seemed like it took a hundred years to be restored to a Nurse again, and there were MANY times I just wanted to give up and throw in the towel. I refused to give in and give up. I know I am a great Nurse, and I DO make a difference in peoples lives. Don't give up PCORRAL ! It seems like it is taking forever, but this too shall pass. If I could do it, you can do it. You have to stay positive, and never give up. One day you will be reinstated, and working as a Nurse again, and you will look back and remember all of this hardship that you have come through, only to see that you prevailed in the end. :yes: Stay strong, it will get better. Good Luck !!

PCORRAL · Feb 14, 2015

I don't want to give up. I just don't have support from family and my friends have dissapeared.I work at restauraunt now. Didn't realize nurses can be so unforgiving. Ths experience has disillusioned me. I have not found compassion in nursing.

PCORRAL · Feb 14, 2015

I am so dissapointed in the nursing field.

CryssieD · Feb 14, 2015

I hear you--even nurses don't always understand mental health issues. I've had to fight the substance-abuse stigma myself--people don't understand that one either. In interviews and in talking with people who don't get it, I focus on positive things--what I've learned, how I've grown, how I've become a stronger person and a better nurse because of what I've had to overcome; I try to turn what looks like a negative experience (being stuck in a monitoring program, being in recovery) into a positive by focusing on what I've gained from it. People want to hear how you've got the situation under control and learned from it--it's reassuring. Nurses are only people, after all, and most people have limited understanding of mental health issues--and they fear what they don't understand. It's silly--having a diagnosis doesn't mean you're weird, it means you've addressed your problems and are dealing with them--most people won't even admit that they have problems. I think you just have to hang in there--you'll find the right spot eventually.

seanzilla · Feb 14, 2015

PCORRAL -- Just let me say...you are definitely NOT alone! When I accepted the Board's offer to be enrolled in TPAPN, I had no idea where to begin. Because I'm a Nurse Practitioner, I was unable to work in that field for at least a year. So...I was forced to find something as an "RN." Like you, when I approached my Case Manager for the program -- no help at all. Then again, that's not really their job either. They are there to monitor your compliance, and ONLY that. Honestly, the more I began to look at TPAPN as "The Army," it made it a whole lot better for me. I'm no different from anyone else, and the rules are blanketed for everyone; NO EXCEPTIONS. Once I gave up trying to get "special" help/treatment, things started moving in a positive direction, and my attitude about the whole thing most of all!

The local hospital in my home town (small town) wouldn't give me the time of day, and there were few other places that would even show up on my radar. So, as others have suggested, I finally had to consider places that were not "local" to where I lived. I found that networking was the best solution -- talking to friends in the field most of all. Letting them know upfront what I had been through (2 DWIs and elective in-patient treatment). After making this kind of effort, I landed a job (almost immediately) in a home health company that was based about 30 miles from home. Believe me, like you, I was down to almost NO MONEY AT ALL! Then...the miracle happened! I was hired!

I had never done home health in my life, and wasn't sure what to think of it. However, after 2 years, I can honestly say that I enjoy it more than I ever thought I would. I filled the void of not being able to care for patients, with finally caring for them once again. The bonus was that it gave me incredible flexibility to do all my urine drug screens without issue. The administrator, owners, and my DON think I do a fantastic job, and they are proud of my sobriety and the care that I provide to the patients.

Please, don't give up hope. There are options out there, and many of which you may have not even considered. Home Health, Dialysis Clinics, certain hospitals -- they ARE out there, but it MIGHT require a bit of a distance to get there. Just be persistent. Don't give up, and above all -- PRAY! I will certainly be praying for you as well, and sending lots of positive vibes your way! :)

Best of luck!! (PM me if you like)

TXRN2 · Feb 14, 2015

Seanzilla: Very good advice you have given! However, I have one question- does TPAPN now allow parties to work in Home Health? (It used to be forbidden!). Just wondering- for those entering the program.

Omaapecm, ASN, RN · Feb 15, 2015

I don't think Nevada allows home health either. From my understanding you have to be supervised! Guess it depends on the program and the state.

PCORRAL · Feb 15, 2015

Its over guys. I've lost my car , my home , my spouse left me and I don't have money to renew nursing license. My family and old friends won't help. I'm in a damn shelter.why are nursing students not told about what happens if you make a mistake ? There is no forgiveness in nursing ! I never belived that until now.GOD must be helping someone more worthy

caliotter3 · Feb 15, 2015

A person does not have to have any strikes against them to be in similar circumstances. Whatever caused you to lose everything, it is up to you to prevent yourself from giving up. You only lose out on life if you allow your situation to overcome your will to stick with it. Strangers can talk at you all day and all night, but in the end, you have to push yourself to face another day. Best wishes.

CryssieD · Feb 15, 2015

I'll tell you something--I went to a conference, and one of the speakers--a Board official--mentioned a Virginia law: if a nurse checks into a psychiatric facility, the facility is required to notify the Board. If anyone was notified about a "regular person" checking into a hospital or treatment facility, it would be a HIPPA violation and someone would lose their job over it; but nurses are different--public hysteria and misunderstanding about mental illness has led to laws that deny nurses basic privacy rights; and the consequences of even possibly having a substance abuse problem will land a nurse in a monitoring program for years. Nurses are held to a very high standard, which doesn't seem to apply to others as much or as easily; I would love to see the statistics on how many nurses are in monitoring programs, vs doctors or pharmacists--I suspect a much higher percentage of nurses land in these programs. I understand the concern of the public and the Boards, but sometimes it really does seem that nurses are held to a higher standard than other healthcare professionals, and that does kind of bother me. The resulting sanctions can lead to financial and personal devastation, and it just isn't fair--where is the compassion, where is the help? The Boards have money for the monitoring programs--where is the money to help nurses ruined by the requirements and restrictions of these programs? Believe me, PCORRAL, I sympathize--without the financial help of my family I would have been on the streets. Remember that God is good and always has a plan--keep the faith and hang in there, we are all pulling for you here!

seanzilla · Feb 20, 2015

@TXRN2 - Yes, TPAPN allows their participants to go into home health. However, there is a restriction on the handling of controlled substances for a short period of time (a few months). This creates a barrier, but if you can find a group that is willing to work around that issue (like I did), then it's a go.

Omaapecm, ASN, RN · Feb 21, 2015

It saddens me to hear your current circumstances. Nothing anyone says is going to make you feel ok. You must dig deep. Deep within yourself!!!!! Don't let your mistakes define who you are and certainly don't let your career define who you are. If you can't be a nurse that sucks and I'm sorry to hear that but life does go on. Stand up dust yourself off and keep moving! You will be on my prayers!!