do you HAVE to work as a nurse when you are in the program?

In our Peer program where I am, we have to do a minimum of 1 year supervised nursing (once approved to go back to work) with 6 consecutive months of that time handling/having access to narcotics/controlled substances.

If we choose a nursing job that does not have narcotics on the premises, we have to have a minimum of 2 years supervised nursing AND finish out the full 5 year contract (instead of 2 years).

I think most of the programs are the same and want you to have a certain amount of time working in nursing so that you can be monitored and exhibit safe nursing practices. In Texas, TPAPN requires 1 full year working for the same employer in order to sucessfully complete the program.

thanks for the info!

I don't know what your convictions are and every case is different. The GBON is very labile. It usually depends on how they feel that day. In my experience, if it is drug or alcohol related, they will require proof that you have completed treatment, then you will have a two year narcotic restriction, four year consent order and four year monitoring and nurses groups. I am drug tested 24-36 times a year at $45.00 a test. No, you don't have to work as a nurse in Georgia for your consent order to start. Your four years can be up and you could never have worked as a nurse. Georgia is also a zero tolerance state. No suboxone, no mood altering ANYTHING. No Benydryl. I went to treatment at a private facility in Georgia and that is where I do my aftercare and get advocacy from the nurse advocates. You can also get a nurse advocate through the GNA. The nurse advocates do not work for the BON and are there to help the nurses not the BON. I would strongly suggest you at last call one of them before contacting the board. GOOD LUCK.

oh no no no, dont give up! i just my license off probation. It took me four years to do it. but I made it. Every state BON is different with what your work limitations will be but i found a job. it took me a while but I got hired at a school, at a place where there was no narcotics. I had a 6 month narcotic restriction. read my latest post. Now i work in a LTC facility and am going back to school to get my RN. Dont give up. I didnt.