Leaving nursing

K. Everly, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2022

Definitely. You don't have to stay in the profession if it doesn't even bring you joy anymore.

If it does bring you joy and you're an experiencing nurse who knows you're making a difference, it's worth the monitoring process for most. As a new nurse (also a person in recovery), I can tell you that the experienced nurses who've shared with me their expertise and kindness have a place in my heart always and my deepest gratitude.

Trust me when I say there are so many other things you could be doing, even if it doesn't feel that way right now, so don't let the fear of economic insecurity keep you from moving out of nursing if you don't actually like it anymore. Just be aware that if your RN license is revoked for not complying with monitoring, it will cut out the opportunity for most other healthcare jobs which require licensure.

MaxAttack, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2022

I've known people who did this. Usually for financial reasons. To me, the benefits of keeping my license for outweigh the nonsense we have to go through. I was pretty bitter for the first year or so but now I've accepted it's just something I have to do and have less than two years left.

xbananachipsx, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2022

I can only imagine the board doesn't budge when it comes to fees.

I'm not in a program but my situation with the board was a nightmare. my boss was scared that it was going to make me leave the profession altogether.

OP it sounds like you're more experienced than I am.

For me, I'm so young into my career that I'm also financially head of household. I spent so much fricken money on nursing school that it honestly pisses me off the idea that I would give up nursing because of my situation and the amount of blood sweat and tears I put into the damn program.

the BRN really should consider modifying their systems. they should really think about why there's a "nursing shortage."

OP I'm sorry your going through this. Our situations are different but if ever you wanna talk feel free to e-mail me [email protected]

I find some solace in talking to other nurses going through disciplinary action... it makes me feel like I'm not alone in this.

Emergent, RN · Apr 2, 2022

On 3/28/2022 at 5:24 PM, Peachykay said:

I'm wondering if anyone in recovery here has ever just said '*** this punitive monitoring system ' and left nursing altogether? I've been a nurse more than half my life and not sure what the hell else I can be, but is it really worth it to go through this monitoring *** for one mistake? It's not that I want to give up on recovery, it's that I'm not sure I can afford the financial and psychological burden of the program (Michigan)

I knew a nurse who got caught diverting. She went to truck driving school.

Wizard 1 · Apr 3, 2022

I left nursing, eventually started my own business, got my license out of suspension and on probation. Now the state board where I was originally licensed wants to keep me on probation for reasons that I'll not go into here, that have everything to do with my moving to another state and having hoops to jump through that I shouldn't have to. Suffice it to say that I'll likely just stay on permanent probation because of the red tape and money involved to completely resolve it, because I'm just done with that. It isn't worth it to me and there are other options.

Kmrn65, RN · Apr 5, 2022

I feel your pain:(

I too am wondering the same thing.

I am sober, and will stay that way but this monitoring program is expensive, and tough on me emotionally and psychologically.

I am taking it one day at a time, but I have been in nursing for most of my life, I am almost 57 years old, and I am looking at ALL options out there besides this:(

PDRN · Apr 7, 2022

Share options, because I am having a hard time thinking of what else I would do...I'm also older and don't feel like I have the time to do a 180 on my career, but also am not sure I want to spend what few years I may have left under the BON's thumb.

K. Everly, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2022

On 4/6/2022 at 10:40 PM, PDRN said:

Share options, because I am having a hard time thinking of what else I would do...I'm also older and don't feel like I have the time to do a 180 on my career, but also am not sure I want to spend what few years I may have left under the BON's thumb.

Personally, I have another bachelor’s degree in psych so before I got licensed and while the board was looking into my criminal record to determine whether they would even license me at all, I did a social work type gig that was work from home. It paid less than nursing but now that I am a nurse I really freaking miss that job because the stress level was monumentally less than nursing. I’m sure you could get a job like that even without a psych degree if you have years of nursing experience. I think what it all comes down to is whether you are willing to get another degree or whether you are willing to take a pay cut. If you don’t want to take a pay cut you’ll prob need to go back to school, but if you’re willing to make less, start googling.