Can someone please give me some hope re: employment after drug diversion?!

elkpark · Oct 24, 2011

I was involved, several years ago, in a situation where we hired an RN with a hx of diversion. She had not only diverted and used, herself; she had eventually gotten to the point of diverting from work and selling the drugs and had actually served prison time for drug dealing. All of this had happened quite a few years earlier; she had served her prison sentence and gone to a lot of effort to jump through every hoop required to get her license back and return to nursing.

When we interviewed her, she arrived at the interview with a large portfolio of documentation of all her classes, meetings, tx programs, treatment professionals vouching for her ability to return to work safely, etc., and was very open and direct with us about her past. She also was very positive about how she could be an asset to our facility. We were very impressed with her (the determination and effort she had shown in getting her license back and restarting her career) and offered her the position for which she had applied (in an acute inpatient setting)

monty'sma · Oct 24, 2011

I was involved in a drug diversion where I was employed-that was nearly 6 months ago...I have been doing very well in my programs, therapies, urine screens and overall just emotionally well. I was recently given the 'green light' by my rehabilitation program, to go back to work. Unfortunately, I had to resign at my place where I was employed, during the diversion-so I lost that job. I loved what I did, and that is working on an acute care floor at the hospital. My goal/dream is to get back in to 'hospital' nursing-it is my passion. I have heard mixed stories about nurses who have been involved in diversions, not being able to return to hospital nursing (that no hopital will hire nurses who have been involved in a diversion). Is this true? Can someone who has been involved in this kind of a situation please give me some advice? Some hope?! Thank you...

So glad that you are doing well in your program. Do not give up hope about returning to your passion. Contact your local Board of Nursing. They have specific boards that meet and discuss particular cases and I do not recall that one of the stipulations is no longer being employed. I too was involved as you were back in the 80's. But at that time, perhaps there was more leniency. But be that as it may, I did go back to work but I worked on a different unit. And that was for my protection, not punishment. On a new unit, I would not be ostracized and it made me more determined to prove that I could still be the best nurse possible. But I want to emphasize, you will be watched. But you should enlist the help of a sponsor at work. Not just in your programs but someone at work that can be an ear during the rough times. Believe it or not, there are many addicts that work in health care and they have not come forward. But over the years, I have found that once you get very comfortable with your sobriety, you will come across patients that have been there and they know right away because of how much you care and empathize with them. Keep up the good work and don't give up. That alone will make you relapse if you give up hope.

catmom1, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2011

Keep up the good work and don't give up. That alone will make you relapse if you give up hope.

I will have been C & S for 7 years in December. Up to May of 2010, I had completed 4 of 5 years of probation for diverting back in 2000. (I stayed out of nursing for 5 years after getting caught, due to shame)

Anyway, I lost my job and have not been able to find a job in nursing since then, even working the floor in LTC. I had a facility that wanted to hire me a couple of months ago, but their regional management didn't want them to hire me. I have been absolutely compliant with all terms of my probation but cannot find a job so I can work the required hours to serve my time.

I have just taken a very low paying, non-nursing call center job that I hope will be enough to scrape by on since unemployment compensation has run out for me.

Words cannot express how angry and sad I am that I have not been able to get a nursing job and I have pretty much given up.

The reason I am posting is that even though I have given up, that does NOT mean that I need to relapse. Every nursing employer in the world can look down on me like I am a low life and it doesn't matter because I KNOW I am living a principled life. Too bad they can't see me for who I am.

It still doesn't mean I need to relapse. Nursing is a job and what my Board of Nursing, or any employer, chooses to do does not define my recovery.

Catmom :paw:

nurse LJ · Oct 25, 2011

That is awesome!! Thank you for sharing that!

nurse LJ · Oct 25, 2011

I will have been C & S for 7 years in December. Up to May of 2010, I had completed 4 of 5 years of probation for diverting back in 2000. (I stayed out of nursing for 5 years after getting caught, due to shame)
Anyway, I lost my job and have not been able to find a job in nursing since then, even working the floor in LTC. I had a facility that wanted to hire me a couple of months ago, but their regional management didn't want them to hire me. I have been absolutely compliant with all terms of my probation but cannot find a job so I can work the required hours to serve my time.
I have just taken a very low paying, non-nursing call center job that I hope will be enough to scrape by on since unemployment compensation has run out for me.
Words cannot express how angry and sad I am that I have not been able to get a nursing job and I have pretty much given up.
The reason I am posting is that even though I have given up, that does NOT mean that I need to relapse. Every nursing employer in the world can look down on me like I am a low life and it doesn't matter because I KNOW I am living a principled life. Too bad they can't see me for who I am.
It still doesn't mean I need to relapse. Nursing is a job and what my Board of Nursing, or any employer, chooses to do does not define my recovery.
Catmom :paw:

I am so sorry to hear that....and it's been since 2000? I believe after so many years of being in a rehabilitation program, then completing it, you don't have to share information with anyone; so that should make getting a job easier....maybe I am misunderstanding you...sorry nurseLJ

oneLoneNurse · Oct 29, 2011

Catmom,

Can you travel? Certain areas of 'our' country are undesirable, but are so desperate for employees/RNs , that I think you could find employment. One travel agency is advertising for Nome, not a great place to live, but you would get back into acute nursing. Another area that comes to mind is North Dakota, but I haven't seen any advertisements; you would think they would be paying well. Remain clean for a year or so, and you would be able to thrive wherever you want.

Your story sounds sad, and it's a lesson. I hope you find the kind of employment you are seeking.

Good luck,

Kevin

catmom1, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2011

I have been C & S for SEVEN years. Travel nursing agencies do not take nurses with disciplinary actions on their licenses. I should have been done with the five years of probation in June 2011, but haven't worked enough hours since May 2010 for my probation to be worked off.

I am not permitted to do agency or travel nursing anyway. What a nightmare this has turned out to be.

Catmom :paw:

jmo1231 · Oct 29, 2011

Catmom I am just starting this process and yes its a nightmare! Do you use nurse recruiters? Have you cosidered insurance positions case management MDS ect?

catmom1, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2011

Catmom I am just starting this process and yes its a nightmare! Do you use nurse recruiters? Have you cosidered insurance positions case management MDS ect?

Yes. I have worked in MDS since 2006 but have been unable to get another position for whatever reason. Thanks for caring.

Catmom :paw: