I hope this doesn't turn out to be a long post but here goes. I'm open for all the criticism and help I get.
In April/02 I had a job I loved in a small hospital 5 miles from home. I worked 4 nights/wk 12 hr shifts, hubby going thru ADN program (not working) and I ran into a few friends from childhood. Needless to say I went out & partied with them. I drank, and smoked a lot of marijuana. It was only for a weekend, then they left town & life went back to normal at home. 2 weeks later ER had a narcotic error & I was drug screened. I didn't even think twice when I submitted a sample. Needless to say I was fired, reported to BNE, and TPAPN. I argued that it was a one weekend lapse in judgement, and requested a peer review. I was denied. I read up on TPAPN & figured that it wasn't for me since I had no addiction problem, paid $1200.00 for a psychological evaluation (per board orders) & he stated I did not have an addiction problem only mild anxiety. Then Boards stated that I was in non compliance of a Board order for not getting accepted into TPAPN. OMG.... All the while this was going on I found a new calling in Home Health in May/02. I loved my job, first time working day shift 8-5 Mon-Fri. Boards gave me a new order that said I can't do Home Health, not enough supervision apparantly. They gave me 6 weeks notice this was coming so I regretfully started puttin in applications around town. Now when I check my license out it says WARNING W/ STIPULATIONS!! Not to mention on my last day on the job my hubby of 17 years dedcided we weren't compatible anymore & decided to leave me and the kids ages 8 & 14. Mind you I put him thru nursing school, & 10 days after he got his license was when we weren't compatible!!!!Now I can't find a job, I think they see that warning & they shove my app aside & say NO THANKS. Hospitals are only hiring 12 hour night shifts, can't do that with the kids. I've even tried nursing homes. I've put in 12 applications had 1 interview that I was completly honest with the board stipulations, & now this person won't even give me the courtesy to say we can't hire you or whatever. I have 6 years experience in everything you could think of in the hospital setting since I was a float nurse, & still can't find a job! I just don't have a clue what to do. Board ordered a lot of mandatory drug testing ($43.00 each) weekly, counseling for my anxiety problem (100.00/hr), a class (90.00) & 150 miles from here & made me quit my job. I can't afford all this esp. w/o a job & now we have to look for a place to live. I think this week I'm gonna end up looking for a job with the phone book in hand looking & everyone that could possibly need a RN that is being spanked by boards. Don't get me wrong I knew I was gonna get a spanking but I'm getting a beating at this point. Thanks for letting me whine & now i'm gonna go on with my pity party for the day. Sorry again for being so long
I just want to thank you guys for all the input here. I can for sure take the criticism & keep on going. Believe me you guys couldn't say anything to me or kick me near as hard as I kick myself. Thanks for the kind words also. Today I have spent the day following up on the apps I put in last week & suprisingly no one is available. Go figure. Tommorrow I hit the pavement ...again. It won't be long & i'll take anything that comes my way. I really think i'm a good catch since i'm gonna be monitored so hard by the board & whoever gets me is gonna have me for 2 1/2 years min cuz I hate job hunting. Thanks to who sent me the web site i'll go look into it & no I never hired a lawyer for this mess, I guess I figured I'd go to Austin tell my story & get to keep my job. Trust me i'll recommend everyone facing a situation w/ boards to get a lawyer
Whoa. Believe me when I say I am soooo sorry for you. Truly, because I have a similar situation going on. My difference being that, to save my ass (ass=nursing license, of course) I self-reported to the MHPRC, which seems to be MI's version of TPAPN. I was hoping to save my license and job. Well, I still got fired and now I'm stuck w/out a job and trying to jump through the endless number of hoops the MHPRC has set up for recovering professionals. It just seemed to be easier at the time, but lately I've wondered if I just shouldn't have fought it; which possibly could have led me to the same place you're in now. NOT saying you're an addict (I'm not entirely convinced I am, but that's another issue), that's something intensely personal. I so wish I had some advice for you, I've been trolling here looking for some myself! If you have nursing insurance, a lot of times they have attorneys on hand for legal defense that you can ask questions of, maybe to see if anything could be handled differently. Other than that bit of paltry advisement, all I can say is this too shall pass (I chant that to myself quite a bit these days) and don't give up. If I find anything that seems useful to you, I'll be sure to post it.
rondafan, you know what?? I have since come to agree with those who gave you some critizism. You made a big mistake, and it's one you should've thought a little harder about, before making it. Also when asked to do a urine test, I have to wonder, why your previous outinig didn't register as possibly being a problem??? I tend to always be for the underdog, but I have had some second thoughts on this one.
Maybe the way you're relating the incident and the lack of considering what you were doing, when you did it, and the lack of considering the outcome of the urine test, is what is bothering the board, and those you're applying to.
Maybe if you had a reasonable response to why you didn't consider the possibility of your coming up positive, and it didn't enter your mind, when you did the test test would help??? I hope this makes some sense:).
Ouch! I dunno what to tell ya. Don't smoke pot? Heh. That's the only thing to say really. I was raised military so I wouldn't have ever dreamt of doing drugs. Then, I went in myself after I graduated high school. So yeah, dunno what to tell ya friend ...
It is your own fault (which I'm sure you don't need me to tell you - you seem pretty open to what people have told you and you're obviously not dumb or in rejection of facts, that I can see) but, you can - like many others have stated - learn from this and rectify it. Just take your mistakes, fix/patch them up as much as possible and move on ..
just to answer what Brownms said.........The reason I didn't think twice about the drug screen was because it had been 2 weeks & I had filed that weekend away. I know.... sounds stupid but if I would've thought I would test positive I could've just quit that night. I wish I would've too. It was 3AM I was working ICU alone with 2 vent pts & was not thinking about a drug screen. I was floored when I tested positive, I didn't think it stayed in your system that long. But oh well, I'm taking my spanking just like boards is telling me, if only I could find a job now I would be on my way for a 30 month spanking.
Unfortunately, with TPAPN involved, you are going to have to comply with their requests. You might request a peer counsellor, which TPAPN provides. The counsellors have often gone through the same thing. They may be able to provide some insight on how to jump over the BNE hurdles.
You should also explain your situation, up front, to anyone who interviews you. There are nurses in the hospital where I work (and probably in every hospital) who have restricted licenses. I don't know where in Texas you are writing from, but other areas may be less judgemental.
Personally, I think that marijuana should be decriminalized. I would much rather deal with the stoned than the drunk. Besides, I don't think any agency should be telling you what you can or can't do when you're not at work.
In response to Avigail......BNE ordered me to TPAPN, I didn't agree with this order so they sent me for a very expensive psychological eval w/ chemical dependency component, the MD said I didn't have a chemical problem only anxiety which he recommended counseling (of course). This was submitted to TPAPN who said that I didn't meet criteria for their program therefor it was returned to BNE. They found me non-compliant w/ a board order for not getting accepted & retried my case. Thats when all the other stipulations started. This all came into effect 10/23, I had to quit my Home Health position on 10/24. Now IF I had've been accepted into TPAPN they have rules for hh nurses & I would've been able to keep my job. Go figure.....if I was a junkie I could keep my job but since I'm not, I'm jobless for now! I wish I had hindsight & would have just went to TPAPN, that was in 2/03, I could have 9 months of this nightmare over!
Unfortunately, with TPAPN involved, you are going to have to comply with their requests. You might request a peer counsellor, which TPAPN provides. The counsellors have often gone through the same thing. They may be able to provide some insight on how to jump over the BNE hurdles.
You should also explain your situation, up front, to anyone who interviews you. There are nurses in the hospital where I work (and probably in every hospital) who have restricted licenses. I don't know where in Texas you are writing from, but other areas may be less judgemental.
Personally, I think that marijuana should be decriminalized. I would much rather deal with the stoned than the drunk. Besides, I don't think any agency should be telling you what you can or can't do when you're not at work.
See that is just what the problem is here. The board has rules about anyone doing anything illegal, while practicing as a nurse. If you get into trouble, even if it's off duty, that concerns the board, as it reflects on your character.
Whether MJ should be legal is not the point! It's still an illegal substance, and you can be arrested for it. So the problem isn't that did this on her own time, but that she did something that was illegal period.
Thanks for the response rondafan, but it still bothers me, that while you were taking that drug screen, it never entered your mind you could come up pos??? I really do think this is the problem the board is having with this also.
I sincerely hope you are able to find work, and can finally move on pass this point. Have you tried an MD's office?? Won't make much money, but maybe some doc, who feels that MJ should be legal too, would be helpful.
You made a mistake and your being punished for it. But now your main concern is supporting your children and I know you must really feel bad that your actions have put your kids in such a bad spot. I have no experience with this type of situation but I am wracking my brain thinking of things that may help. Forgive me if they are not the best suggestions-I hope other posters can offer some suggestions to help you out then are better than mine.
Perhaps you can call some of your former co-workers and have them write letter of recommendations for you. Or can you apply at a facility where some of your former co-workers work and have them speak to human resources on your behalf.
Could you try to get a job at a facility that will accept you -even if the hours are not what you want with your concerns for being available for your children. What I mean is accept a job even for one 12 hour shift a week just to get your foot in the door. It is easier to get a job when you are already employed.
When being interviewed could you offer that you are not a drug user and will be happy to submit to monthly drug testing and share in that expense with the employer until they feel that this is no longer necessary.
Can you perform some community service to show your prospective employer that you are a caring person who gives back to the community.
The bottom line is that you will have to convince an employer to hire you. Bring along your recommendations, good deeds, best attitude and show then a willingness to prove that your mistake was a one-time thing and that you will be an asset to their facility.
Good luck in your future. I am praying for you and your family. I hope everything works out for the best.
It wasn't clear to me when I read your first post that, because you contested their decision, TPAPN was ruled out. Ugh! I have never known anyone in that particular situation. Have you tried to talk to anyone on the Board about your case? Maybe they would reconsider? I know you are not exactly on top of the world financially, but I think you need a lawyer. You might try to talk to your Texas legislator also. Did the BNE not provide you any other information on appeal of their decisions? Your situation seems patently unfair to me.
Thanks for the response rondafan, but it still bothers me, that while you were taking that drug screen, it never entered your mind you could come up pos???
Uhh, I think Ronda has mentioned several times already that it had been two weeks since the incident and she had basically forgotten about it and that is why she didn't think about it! Man, the woman made a huge mistake and I imagine she is paying for it, obviously. If she was a chronic drug abuser, I bet she would have had a good plan formulated just in case a situation like what happened came up so she would be covered. Most people in that situation don't just readily give up the urine and go "Here ya go, fire me and please make my life unbelievably hellish for the next two years!" Give the woman a break! Obviously she knows she screwed up and I think it is incredibly brave of her to open up to total strangers on this board and ask for help and advice. Yeah, she said she didn't mind the criticism but let's have some common sense and not repeat the same argument over and over AFTER she explained herself 20 times, sheesh!
Ronda, girl ya made a really stupid judgement call, but I really hope things turn out for you and that you can find a job to support your family and meet the demands of the BON so you can regain your sense of worth. Good luck to you.:)
navynurse29 I wish would've have read more than my last comment to this poster, as I sided with her in the beginning, but after thinking about started to question my original judgement. Like...give me a break will ya!:) If she wanted only nicey, nicey statements she wouldn't have asked for critical opinions. I had a second thought as to why the board was giving her such a hassle.
I have great sympathy for all she has had to go thru, but then I thought about, why didn't the incident of the nite out, come into her mind?? I was wondering, and I asked! I don't feel my asking was a flame at all. And from her post to me, I got a better understanding of what she was thinking at the time. Anywho...thanks for reading.
rondafan
31 Posts
I just want to thank you guys for all the input here. I can for sure take the criticism & keep on going. Believe me you guys couldn't say anything to me or kick me near as hard as I kick myself. Thanks for the kind words also. Today I have spent the day following up on the apps I put in last week & suprisingly no one is available. Go figure. Tommorrow I hit the pavement ...again. It won't be long & i'll take anything that comes my way. I really think i'm a good catch since i'm gonna be monitored so hard by the board & whoever gets me is gonna have me for 2 1/2 years min cuz I hate job hunting. Thanks to who sent me the web site i'll go look into it & no I never hired a lawyer for this mess, I guess I figured I'd go to Austin tell my story & get to keep my job. Trust me i'll recommend everyone facing a situation w/ boards to get a lawyer