Published Jun 17, 2012
KristelRN
7 Posts
Hi all, I just wanted to share my story. My license was suspended for 3 months and then susequently placed on probation for 2 years with narcotic restriction and no home health. I plead guilty to possession of a controlled substance but thankfully received no conviction on my legal record.
It took almost 4 months for me to find a position. I also have to do monthly random drug screens which I have to pay for myself. After a lot of soul searching and completing putting my future into God (Jesus Christ) hand I was offered 3 positions. None was in the hospital, even dialysis turned me down But for those in similar situations, i was able to find success as an lpn instructor, a medical assistant instructor, and as a disabilty specialist nurse at a third party claims insurance company. The position I accepted pays about 22/hr but it is with a great company with awesome benefits and I discovered that I really love teaching. (It was probably what I was suppose to do in the first place).
It has not been without its challenges. Jealous people on my job snooped around and looked up my license and everyone found out about my past. But that was okay too because it allowed for everything to be out in the open and I was still able to keep my job and those who tried to get me fired are sitting there with egg on their faces, and even after all of this I still have the option to return to the bedside after my probation is complete.
I believe everything happens for a reason and I am thankful to God everyday for my job and for a future. I also never knew that I would love teaching so much and plan to continue in education and be able to teach on the university level. So God can turn the bad things around for good and I hope this encourages someone.
mona1023
48 Posts
What a wonderful story of courage, hope and perseverance.
backtowork
146 Posts
Very positive and uplifting story. Thank you for sharing "the good news" with us. One of the best things that came out of my recovery is my re realization of my love for nurturing and caring for people as a nurse. All the little mind games and power struggles at work are meaningless to me after almost losing my license. I am grateful for each and every day of my profession and job. Thank you for being a light at the end of a very dark tunnel for all those going through this process.
jackstem
670 Posts
I heard it said once (well, more than once) that the best "revenge" is working a solid recovery program. I put revenge in quotes because if I'm working a solid recovery program...FOR ME and NOT the board of nursing, my employer, my family, etc.....then there is no "revenge" involved. But the folks who want to see us fail because we have the DISEASE of addiction will see our "successful recovery" as somehow unfair. It'll be their problem, not mine.
It's rather interesting that addiction is the only disease I'm aware of where many people are upset if good things happen to/for the person in recovery. I can't recall hearing someone say it's unfair that a cancer survivor found a great job or was able to return to a career they loved and perform in an outstanding fashion. Ah, yes...ignorance.
CONGRATULATIONS on your recovery and on the wonderful things that are occurring in your life! AWESOME!!
Jack
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]
If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that our Higher Power (in my case...God) is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
That feeling of uselessness and self pity will disappear.
We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
Self-seeking will slip away.
Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
We will suddenly realize that our Higher Power (in my case...God) is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us--sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TABLE]
chaddy12
2 Posts
Thank you for the glimmer of hope. Im in a very, very simular situation. Arrested on prescription narcotics, fired, on 3 yrs probation ( 2 1/2 yrs down, 6 months to go, worked a program and staying clean) and I cant get a job, ANYWHERE. Ive applied for soo many postions just to continually never get a call back or a reply of you arent what we are looking for at this time. My record has even stopped me from all volenteer postions. I need help !! please any advice,direction,suggestions would amazingly help ! Im at my last effort, my mortgage over due, bills in red, I can use anything, anything , suggested ! Thanks chaddy12