Diversion Program and Employment

Hi Milly, and WELCOME to our "family"...what state are you in? I'm in Ohio, fwiw. Do you think you have a drinking problem? Have you considered attending AA meetings or even treatment? I guess I'm trying to figure what kind of mindset we're talking about.

When I first got sober, work was the farthest thing from my mind. I was blessed with the ability to take a length of time off to go to treatment and get help before re-entering the workforce. Not to mention I wasn't even granted my license back until I was several months sober and completed treatment. My diversion program REQUIRED me to attend and complete treatment.

Short answer to your question, it is difficult to find work as a nurse with a restricted license, but not impossible. It takes a LOT of perserverence, a lot of heart, and you really have to consider how you present yourself and how honest and up front you are about everything, and what kind of nursing you wish to do. What specialty are you in now? Maybe if you are up front with your employer RIGHT NOW, she will be willing to work around your restrictions and keep you on where you are now? Are you working now?

We have a thread around here somewhere about recovery friendly fields, look around. Best of luck to you and let us know how everything goes. :)

Hi, new to this site so hope I'm in the right forum... I received a 2nd DUI almost a year ago and on Friday I was notified of an impending investigation against my RN license. I'm choosing to enter the Diversion Program and was wondering how successful are nurses in finding work when he/she receives a restricted RN license and still in the Diversion Program.

Thanks,

I'm in diversion been released to work with restrictions. Have a tuff time finding a job, with no pt. care (ex:case manager, advice nures, have CCM but they want exp). Good luck in your recovery. Stay strong.

Jobs are almost impossible to find if you are in the BON program. I rec. securing a lawyer asap. Take it from someone whose life is now in turmoil because I did not get a lawyer in the beginning. It will be the BEST money you have ever spent. Good luck with everything!

It depends on the state you are in, your experience and the kind of job you are looking for. I had no problems finding a job when I got my license back. Worked that job for about 4 months and then was able to find another one right away when I realized the current one wasn't a good fit. That being said, I have colleagues who are unable to find jobs but part of it that they are not willing to look outside the box. I was willing to do dialysis nursing, which was the farthest thing from my comfort zone you could ever get (I HATE kidneys....lol). Did that for a few months and then started sniffing around for something that fit more with what I thought I might want to do. Found a psych nursing position, even though I had NO psychiatric nursing experience (my background was ICU). I was lucky enough to find a recovery friendly environment where I have several coworkers who are also recovering addicts/alcoholics. I was given the opportunity to learn and 18 months later, I'm still here and loving it (some days more than others but that's normal!).

So a lot depends on the program your state has, what kind of restrictions you have and how it affects the potential job you are looking at, etc. Where I am at now, we don't ever work nights or OT (I work for the state and it's a Monday - Friday 7am to 4pm job) and we don't give medications except for stuff like haldol injections. In fact, I should have asked for my narcotic privileges back in March 2010 and I just haven't gotten around to it because we don't give them here. But I just requested all the paperwork to do so and am going to be working on that this weekend because if I ever do lose my job, that privilege will me make more desirable to potential employers, combined with my ICU experience. So because none of my restrictions affected this particular job, it made it easier for my supervisor to hire me = ) And I don't have any plans to leave once my 5 year contract is over because I love my job that much, not to mention I can't imagine going back to working 12 hour shifts, overnights, or holidays! Yuck!

Thank you for your post. I'm currently looking for a job too. I'm almost a year sober and a year into Diversion. I just started putting out my apps and resume about 2 weeks ago. I'm getting a lot of calls and I had one interview already. It takes a lot of humility and willingness to take what's giving to you. I know that God or my higher power has a plan and I'm just learning everyday to get out of the way and be honest with each employer that calls. I'm pretty close to getting a teaching position which is not what I thought I would be doing but its a first step to get where I want to be. I've also gone back to school (Western Governors University) to get my BSN and MSN. Its a competency based program so its easier to accelerate. Most jobs that I'm looking into are looking for the BSN. I'm just doing things ahead of time like renewing my BLS, ACLS, & PALS to beef up the resume. Good luck to you.

If your DOC is alcohol you may not get narcotic restrictions. Start documenting your efforts at recovery, very important to the BON. When you attend AA get a paper signed that says you were there. Don't resign your job, make them fire you. They don't want to assist you in recovery or pay unemployment. Get a lawyer while you are working and have some money. The job market is tight and with any mark on your license it's even harder. If they will keep you on at your job stay while you are working through all this.

How long in the diversion program before you were able to get narcotics OK'd?Thanks

I live in KY I am under A diversion I am under this program been 4 yrs now.  when I got my CNA but I can not get hired plz help 

Hi, I don’t know what part of Ky you’re in, but I have known several nurses in the program work for Jewish hospital.  I’m in Indiana now, but I know Jewish will work with KARE program.  

I like in eastern KY not far from west virginia ohio borders

I’m not familiar with that area, but keep trying.I have heard from many others to get through the first interview, then when they ask if there is any more questions.... mention the program.  There may be some no’s but eventually you will get a yes!