Jobs while in monitoring?

[smc26448]

Those who are working while in the monitoring program for your state. What type of job do you do and/or have you done since being in the program? How long did it take you to get hired? If you had to work in a non nurse position while searching, where did you work? Also not sure if anybody knows the answer, but  is there a better chance finding work in a major city or further out? Im in a major city, and feel like job market is so saturated so that may diminish my chances of getting hired if theres hundreds of non-restricted nurses applying for same position. 

[Quickstepper, MSN, RN]

Which state do you live in? What are your monitoring requirements? How long is your contract for? What type of nursing do you have experience in and how long have you been a nurse?  Knowing this information will help to offer some suggestions. 

[smc26448]

Quickstepper said:

Which state do you live in? What are your monitoring requirements? How long is your contract for? What type of nursing do you have experience in and how long have you been a nurse?  Knowing this information will help to offer some suggestions. 

I am not in the monitoring agreement yet but strongly considering self reporting so im preparing for that. Im a year sober (I'm an alcoholic) but was reported last year but BON never contacted me. I've been stressed playing the waiting game not sure whats happening. Im in VA which has public case decisions that the public can view. From looking those hundreds of those and doing additional research on here, reddit, and also calling the monitoring program anonymously, I've gathered these likely requirements after being cleared to work (will likely be prevented from working for 3 months initially)… 

no night shifts/no overtime

Licensed Nurse supervisor has to be onsite and supervising each shift that I work

cant pass narcotics (I assume this is still the case for  hx of alcohol abuse) 

quarterly job site evals

self evals monthly 

 

then the regular extra stuff outside of the work restriction: 

AA/NA 

Random drug tests/calling the phone line every morning to see if im selected for testing

Reports  (not sure how often prob monthly) from therapist/psychiatrist/addiction management

etc...

I've only ever seen 5 year monitoring agreements from VA. 

I have been a nurse 6 years. 3 years nicu experience, 2 year outpatient ortho/sports med, and a year of school nursing through a staffing agency. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Quickstepper, MSN, RN]

I wouldn't do anything right now.  I can't see self-reporting doing you any good unless you were arrested or committed a crime - something that you would be required to report on your renewal. What I would do is, preemptively, contact a very good attorney who specializes in nursing licensure issues in your state. It's worth it to pay for an initial consultation.  They attorney will probably give you the  best advice based on your circumstances.  Just be sure the attorney has extensive experience working these cases and is very familiar with your state board. 

Unless you feel you cannot maintain sobriety on your own, or have am on-going substance abuse issue which you need accountability and help with, I would not recommend self-reporting. These programs are a nightmare and can actually cause more damage than good.  It's not true in all cases though. For some nurses with serious addiction issues It's a godsend and can be the thing that changes their life for the better.  Only you know if that's what you need or not. 

[smc26448]

Quickstepper said:

I wouldn't do anything right now.  I can't see self-reporting doing you any good unless you were arrested or committed a crime - something that you would be required to report on your renewal. What I would do is, preemptively, contact a very good attorney who specializes in nursing licensure issues in your state. It's worth it to pay for an initial consultation.  They attorney will probably give you the  best advice based on your circumstances.  Just be sure the attorney has extensive experience working these cases and is very familiar with your state board. 

Unless you feel you cannot maintain sobriety on your own, or have am on-going substance abuse issue which you need accountability and help with, I would not recommend self-reporting. These programs are a nightmare and can actually cause more damage than good.  It's not true in all cases though. For some nurses with serious addiction issues It's a godsend and can be the thing that changes their life for the better.  Only you know if that's what you need or not. 

Thank you for the valuable advice. The being fired and told I was getting reported was enough to scare me straight. I have had no issues maintaining sobriety (shockingly bc I was severely alcohol dependent for a decade and relapsed hundreds of times) and no urges. The withdrawal was horrific and im repulsed by the idea of drinking so I don't think I will have issues continuing but if that were to change, and cravings came up I would recognize I need support. 

My original plan was just to wait it out and work in the meantime in order to save money while working as a nurse for as long as I can. I thought this was going to be a few months of waiting max but nobody ever contacted me. Since its been a year now, im wondering how much longer ill be waiting. At the suggestion of another allnurses nurses in recovery user, I began to consider the self report so that its not looming over me because that has been something thats caused me a lot of anxiety. They said it can take up to two years so its unlikely that it was just forgotten, so the program is more than likely the inevitable result of this. 

The main nurse attorney I've seen representing nurses in my state is Eileen Talamante so I will reach out for a quote and request advice tomorrow. Thank you! 
 

 

[Quickstepper, MSN, RN]

Good plan.  I doubt you're on the radar for being potentially dangerous to the public. They would have contacted you right away.  Stop being anxious. Don't pay interest on a debt you don't owe.