First lab nursing

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I've posted in this forum before, but I'm not sure if this is the most appropriate forum, being that I am not in recovery. I am being monitored for prior arrests, not convictions. I am a student and I have 3 semesters remaining until I finish my BSN. At times I get so frustrated because this whole monitoring process is costing an arm and a leg. It's extremely hard to afford all of these drug screens and probation fees while in school. I am currently 26, and when I was 18, I was arrested on a marijuana possession. I subsequently completed a diversion program and resulted with a clean record. However, 5 years later, I got an open container ticket while at the beach with a group of friends. My point of posting this thread is out of frustration. I have no had any sort of drug abuse or dependence issues. I have never had any problems abusing alcohol. I also had to do a 3 day inpatient evaluation ordered by the board because my arrests were related to drugs or alcohol. My evaluation went beautifully, as they found what I just stated, no issues related to drugs or alcohol. However, the board still finds it necessary to drug test me 3 times per month. The stress of checking in daily, going broke on $90 drug screens, and probation fees is really taking a toll on me. I don't mean to offend anywhere or come across as snobby. I just don't believe that arrests that happened when I was younger that didn't result in convictions should be stressing me out this heavily. I have nightmares that forget to check in or that I drank a beer and failed a drug screen. Just needed to vent because I know you guys know the struggle of the financial burden and dealing with first-lab! I'm very grateful to be in clinicals, but I just wish it was a little less stressful :/ got to go take a drug screen right now! Take care!

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

Agree that your situation sucks and is 100% unfair. :( I wonder who got the kick back from your 3 day IP stay fees? Yuck, yuck, yuck.

Will you be graduating with a clean license at the end at least?

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

Unfortunately the nursing profession is not as forgiving

trust me, jump thru current hoops and shake it off after completion, keep you nose lean

i was afforded several dir of nursing. Positions after completion of stipulations....the first even in the first month of stipulation...there is quality nursing opportunities after completion

you will be a better nurse "for it"....don't get too frustrated, keep first your sobriety

best wishes

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
Unfortunately the nursing profession is not as forgiving

trust me, jump thru current hoops and shake it off after completion, keep you nose lean

i was afforded several dir of nursing. Positions after completion of stipulations....the first even in the first month of stipulation...there is quality nursing opportunities after completion

you will be a better nurse "for it"....don't get too frustrated, keep first your sobriety

best wishes

I know you mean well but -

the OP is not an addict. Keeping an extraneously enforced "sobriety" is meaningless to someone who is not an addict. (And is kind of insulting to those of us with addiction issues who do struggle to keep our sobriety first, honestly.)

The OP is also not even out of nursing school. I would certainly hope that s/he won't be getting any DoN nursing positions (or many quality nursing positions as a new grad) any time soon.

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Actually most of the nurses in monitoring programs have a history like yours. Prior arrests from something happened along time ago. In California I have friends who had convictions like yours expunged, but now have to complete 3 to 4 years of monitoring.

Nurses who admitted to depression after a death of a child and or spouse and now are mandated to be monitored for 5 years. They see any history of drug abuse, use, convictions accusations and group them together.

Gabby

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It is frustrating, hang in there. I feel that this is an appropriate place for you, like you said- we know the rigors of a monitoring agreement.

How long have you been on monitoring? It took me around three months for the nightmares to end, now the checking in is just routine. I added my check in website page right next to my Facebook on my phone so it is impossible to ignore and it is the first thing I do each morning.

Keep posting. It'll keep you sane-ish.

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Yes. I'll be graduating with a clean license. No restrictions whatsoever. It's just a little frustrating to have to deal with all of this while in school. I think I do deserved to be monitored for my past, but I feel like probation would be sufficient. The extreme costs of all these drug screens and collection fees is what's botherin me! Thank you guys for the positive words

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I've been in the monitoring program for 10 months. Almost completed the first year. I was told that when I complete nursing school, my case will be reviewed and the BON will determine if further monitoring is required. So all I can do is hang in there and deal with it! I know I'll appreciate my nursing license a lot more once I receive it being that I had to jump through many a hoops and hurdles to obtain it.....thanks guys!

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

You are definately in the right place for venting - even those of us Real addicts and alcoholics feel the strain of this program - Ive been out for sveral years and their is life after monitoring. You story is a classic example of how things we do when we are young and stupid can effect our adult lives in ways we can't even comprehend. You will get through this. I know of one person who successfully got out of monitoring after a year they hired an attorney and got several expert evaluations but it was costly.

hppy

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Thank you! I have truly learned from my past and mistakes that I made when I was younger. I'm honestly thankful to even be in clinicals, so I'll do what I have to do to get through the program. However, getting off monitoring after a year does sound nice!!

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.
I know you mean well but -

the OP is not an addict. Keeping an extraneously enforced "sobriety" is meaningless to someone who is not an addict. (And is kind of insulting to those of us with addiction issues who do struggle to keep our sobriety first, honestly.)

The OP is also not even out of nursing school. I would certainly hope that s/he won't be getting any DoN nursing positions (or many quality nursing positions as a new grad) any time soon.

i could not agree more, but in my state BON, has sora one size fits all approach

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