Im sad. Think I tested positive for alcohol

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I've been a nurse for 30 years. I've had a perfect clean record. I had a lapse in judgment the other morning. I got up early and had a couple of glasses of wine because I was feeling panicky. I thought it would be out of my system when I went to work, but someone smelled it on me and I got tested. I know it will be positive. I'm just so sad and ashamed to tell anyone why I lost my job. I don't know what to do. I live in Texas but I want to go back to Oklahoma. I have a license inn both states. What will happen next besides the firing?

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If they report you to the BON, you have challenges ahead of you. In Texas, you would be required to participate in TPAPN. I don't know what Oklahoma requires.

You need some help with coping skills, clearly. Getting help for your anxiety should be right up there with salvaging your career, imo.

Good luck. This doesn't have to spell the end of your nursing career, but you are going to have to take some bitter medicine in order to keep your license.

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Specializes in ICU, Military.

OP you may want to post this in the Nurses / Recovery forum. There are lots of people who can offer advice there without judgement.

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Specializes in Oncology.

How much wine did you have, how close to your shift, that they could smell it on your breath?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nurses/Recovery forum

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So you had wine for breakfast? A couple of glasses at that? This was because you found this as a solution, because you were panicking? You drove a vehicle to work? After all of this your your ashamed to tell loved ones why you lost your job? You don't know what to do?

Short and direct answer is counseling and rehab.

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OP doesnt need sarcasm or scolding. Take a deep breath. Look on TNA website at list of places to get eval that are approved. Schedule appt. try to find place that does uotpatient only, unless you are in crisis and feel you need inpatient. Get your assessment, even if you pass alcohol test, it sounds like you may need treatment for anxiety at least, and alcohol abuse. This may feel so horrible right now, but may end up being the very thing you need to help you have the wonderful and awesome life you deserve.

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Been thru it friend. 8 weeks to go on probation. You can get thru this too. BON meeting, evaluation with drug and alcohol counselor, outpatient treatment (once a week used county services paid minimal), on probation for 2 years. Found a job I can live with thru probation OR your employer may keep you. It gets easier and is doable. This is not the end... (((((hugs)))))

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Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it. I did test positive. No one to blame but me.

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You are human- this will be a blip on the radar- don't beat yourself up.

Just take the steps to recognize the problem, and then learn how to handle the problem. The experience with the BON won't be pleasant, but you can get through it, and you will likely find yourself oddly grateful that it happened.

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Best of luck...you've made it this far, I'm certain you can get through this as well!

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