Hope

[Lad345]

I've lurked on this board for about a year now, pretty much since I got caught diverting and fired from my job at a hospital. I just wanted to post my story for anyone that might be searching for hope, understanding, and solidarity. I know that reading about a "light at the end of the tunnel" got me through some of my sleepless nights over this last hellacious year of unemployment, drug screens I couldn't afford, waiting on the Board,

hating myself for getting into this situation, and dealing with legal issues.

Much like others on here, I'm in my state's monitoring program, turned myself in for a felony arrest (which was expunged as of two months ago, yay!), did outpatient therapy, and I attend AA/NA/impaired nurse meetings.

I've applied to a bunch of jobs, interviewed a lot, and had almost given up hope because I met a lot of dead-ends. I was even hired by Fresenius back in October, but corporate shut the hire down due to my consent agreement. Everyone at the clinic knew everything from my first interview, and they were okay with my probationary status. But three days away from the start date, a stranger in CT decided they wouldn't allow them to hire me after all.

However! I did end up getting a job not long after, one that I'm really, really enjoying at a not-for-profit dialysis clinic. I just wanted to say to anyone that might also be dealing with losing a job offer due to corporate nonsense, don't give up and keep pushing forward. I called absolute bulls**t on the whole "it gets better" spiel after I lost my first job offer, since I felt like it had taken so much to even GET a job offer that things must be impossible for me. But it did, indeed, get better. ❤

[rn1965, ADN]

Congratulations on your job. And great job with for getting your felony arrest expunged. No small feat and definitely a lot of work.

I am glad you posted, so that others, like myself, see hope. I am awaiting a decision from the AZBN as to whether or not they re-issue my license. I have almost 13 years clean/sober (2/18/05). I am well aware there will be hoops and stipulations. I am just hoping they will not be too strict and too long. I have sent in documentation of my sober time (letters, evals, etc). I hope to be able to post some good news soon, as well. I have been waiting to hear from the board since July.

Keep up the good work and enjoy that job! I, for one, appreciate your success story.

[SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN]

It does get better but it does so in spite of the scarlet letters handed out and the requirements of the program. It's funny that to make your life better you have do so by negotiating the many obstacles that these "helping professionals" place in front of you. You got a job you like because of your efforts and you hurdled the nonsense placed in front of you to do so. After a year off I'm starting my last semester in my DNP studies. I could have graduated last year but that would have interfered with the fine rehabilitation experience of my last 10 days of IOP which came after 3 months of inpatient then outpatient "treatment". I'll get my life together again in spite of these idiots and certainly not because of them. Ultimately it will get better when I have no interaction with this program, 12 step groups of therapists ever again under any circumstances even if I'm in dire need. Sorry I simply don't trust this industry anymore or get anything for the "voluntary" stuff. Happy Holidays to all!!!