jobs for nurses in recovery?????????

rninmi · Jan 27, 2009

That is the field I went in after starting recovery. It has (and I have no data at all to support this) some of the most nurses in recovery in it. It is a good option.

Good luck!

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2009

I don't know of any specific dialysis centers that hire nurses in recovery. The topic of gaining employment after going through recovery has been talked about in this forum extensively. You just need to hold your head high, listen to everyone's advice and apply for the job. You will probably need to apply for many jobs. Don't just apply for jobs online, get out and go meet with the managers when you apply. And never disclose to the recruiter that you are in recovery.

lifeistweet · Mar 16, 2009

someone will hire you, but honesty is key.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 24, 2009

I work in a dialysis clinic and yes, I personally know of at least one RN who works there who is in recovery.

Tanlie226 · Sep 30, 2009

Is it better to self report than have someone else report you first? Can someone plz offer some advice and or suggestions?

Cherybaby · Oct 1, 2009

Is it better to self report than have someone else report you first? Can someone plz offer some advice and or suggestions?

Tanlie - I have seen that you have asked this question on a few posts. Perhaps you should start a thread of your own with more details so that someone can give you an educated response to your question.

LilRedRN1973 · Oct 7, 2009

My first job after getting my license reinstated was at a dialysis clinic. Unfortunately, 14 1/2 hour days and working with a very difficult coworker who insisted on leaving me as the supervising RN (a BIG no-no in my monitoring contact with the Board) had me looking for a new position within a few months of working there. I'm now happy to say I found my "niche" at an outpatient mental health medication clinic. We do not handle any meds and the prescribers don't even write for narcotics. I love working with the mentally ill and especially those who are dual diagnosis and struggle with their alcoholism/addiction. I feel as though my addiction, losing my license, and going from ICU to psych nursing was all part of God's plan. I'm right where I'm supposed to be! I work Mon-Fri, 8 to 5 with an hour for lunch. I never work holidays but get paid for them and have a pension with great benefits. But I wouldn't ever had looked at this type of nursing before I admitted my powerlessness over people, places, and things. There are jobs out there for nurses in recovery and I recently discovered that it was my RECOVERY that helped me get this job! They were looking for an RN with psych experience, which I have none, but went with me because of my understanding about recovery and all I had been through over the past year. I was hired on my 1 year sobriety birthday! Apply everywhere and take as many interviews as possible...the practice will be good for you. I became really proficient at how I brought up my restrictions and in a way, it helped relieve me of the remaining shame and guilt I was feeling over my addiction. My story was received fairly well and most potential employers were pretty understanding. A few even shared with me that they were in recovery as well! One lady who interviewed me had 23 years of sobriety from cocaine. Don't sell yourself short and remember, you were a sick nurse who is now healthy and in recovery. Be proud of what you have accomplished and the hard work you've put in with your sobriety.

Cherybaby · Oct 8, 2009

My first job after getting my license reinstated was at a dialysis clinic. Unfortunately, 14 1/2 hour days and working with a very difficult coworker who insisted on leaving me as the supervising RN (a BIG no-no in my monitoring contact with the Board) had me looking for a new position within a few months of working there. I'm now happy to say I found my "niche" at an outpatient mental health medication clinic. We do not handle any meds and the prescribers don't even write for narcotics. I love working with the mentally ill and especially those who are dual diagnosis and struggle with their alcoholism/addiction. I feel as though my addiction, losing my license, and going from ICU to psych nursing was all part of God's plan. I'm right where I'm supposed to be! I work Mon-Fri, 8 to 5 with an hour for lunch. I never work holidays but get paid for them and have a pension with great benefits. But I wouldn't ever had looked at this type of nursing before I admitted my powerlessness over people, places, and things. There are jobs out there for nurses in recovery and I recently discovered that it was my RECOVERY that helped me get this job! They were looking for an RN with psych experience, which I have none, but went with me because of my understanding about recovery and all I had been through over the past year. I was hired on my 1 year sobriety birthday! Apply everywhere and take as many interviews as possible...the practice will be good for you. I became really proficient at how I brought up my restrictions and in a way, it helped relieve me of the remaining shame and guilt I was feeling over my addiction. My story was received fairly well and most potential employers were pretty understanding. A few even shared with me that they were in recovery as well! One lady who interviewed me had 23 years of sobriety from cocaine. Don't sell yourself short and remember, you were a sick nurse who is now healthy and in recovery. Be proud of what you have accomplished and the hard work you've put in with your sobriety.

That is wonderful for you!

I am closing in on my time to be able to go back to work, with restriction of course. I would love to know where in the interview process you brought up your recovery. How did you state it? It is really making me anxious...but I am SO ready to get back to work after all this time. (It's been over a year already!) I've spent most of that time in recovery and I am doing really well with it.

Would love to get some feedback from you! I'm sure others would be interested as well!

RNRutRO · Oct 9, 2009

Cherybaby,

Do NOT ever bring up your situation with HR or recruiters. Although they will be "very understanding" you will find that you won't be "right" for the job almost immediately. Just my humble opinion.

Not sure if you have an advocate or not, but this is a great topic to discuss with them. Hopefully they can give you some pointers. There are so many thoughts on when is the the "right" time to bring up the ugly elephant in the room. But honestly, it just depends on you and what's right for you. I think sometimes, they are so desperate, they interview you, and are just happy to have someone willing to work, you get the job. Some suggest that you bring it up when they make the offer, because technically, they can't back out (LOVE the ADA). But, to me, I didn't want to start a job with the "ya had to hire me because of the disability clause" monkey.

I say, when you get face to face, it sounds like your ideal DREAM job, that just right for you, you connect with the NM, then you tell them. I went on interviews (one was suppose to be pre-op and ended up being post op too...imagine all the fun a druggie could have with those cool post surgical meds) where I just thanked them for their time, and said it didn't sound like a fit for me at the time.

Good luck, and please, make sure you take the time to give everyone your 2cents and how you "got the job" when you do.

brady3958 · Mar 16, 2011

I really needed to hear that. I would love to talk to you and get some of your positive advice. I have 41 months sobriety today. I am an alcoholic. My addiction took me to places I am still baffled by. My RN license was revoked in 07 for 1 year. I was reinstated in 09 and I have the no more than 40 hours per week restriction and it states probation next to active. I am grateful to have it back and take my recovery very seriously. But I have not been able to get anyone to hire me. I have even been hired and it was taken away twice. I was very upfont and honest with the hiring manager it was corporate HR that took the job away from me. I am praying about it. I am sure God has a plan. Its just I feel like my license isnt worth the paper its written on sometimes. I have been doing catering for three years. I feel like an RN that only Beefalo Bob wants! Your post helped me a lot. Thank you