Let's share our experiences during the job search and learn from each other!!

[LisaRNsober]

It's no secret nurses in recovery have a difficult time finding employment. My google research has lead me to believe it's next to impossible and getting harder everyday for Texas TPAPN nurses to find jobs.

I am currently just getting started on my "post getting sober and enrolling in TPAPN" job search. As a newbie at this process, one of my biggest fears and concern is the issue of when to mention TPAPN and what specifically to say about it. Or in my case not to say. As I have a history of over-sharing at times when I would have been better off shutting up.

I thought it would be helpful (especially to me;) If those of you in who have been at this longer shared your tips and tricks. Examples of what worked and what didn't. All of us here could use all the help we can get.

Topics I would be interested in hearing about:

Situations where you worded your "confession" in such a way that was well received or perhaps not well received.

Has there been anything you've said that afterwards...you wish you could take back.

Examples of questions you've been asked after reveling your participation in your state's program.

Success stories.

Mistakes you've feel you've made during the process.

Things you've said or done that worked well.

Please share your experience and wisdom!!!

I'll go first.

After applying for a position at a large hospital they emailed me and scheduled a phone interview. I had already been advised "not mention TPAPN on the first date" and to wait until they liked me and showed interest. So I was caught off guard when she asked if I "had any restrictions on my license." I wasn't anticipation that question and my gut reaction was to of course not lie. So I told her I was in TPAPN and then started babbling about that's all behind me and I'm completely ready to go back to work...blah blah blah I was definitely not prepared for that question. They never called back. I wasn't shocked.

Later when telling my advocate about what happened she informs me that my license does NOT in fact have any restrictions on it. I was thoroughly confused. She then explains to me the difference between restrictions on your nursing license and TPAPN required work restrictions. Well I wish someone had told me that sooner!!!

[wish_me_luck, BSN, RN]

I am in HPMP and I have to disclose during the interiew, but I am spinning mine in a positive way. Is it awful spending all this money on UDS, appts, and having to fax reports in monthly? Yes. But, I think my experience has taught me to persevere, which is an awesome asset when the nursing job gets hard and you want to quit. Also, I am a new grad, which means some new grads like to get that magical one year or slightly over and then, book it. I plan on staying for quite a while at the job. Both for the reason that I am in HPMP and it is going to be harder for me to get employment elsewhere. I quit whatever job I am offered, then I am not guaranteed employment, all the more reason why they should choose me over another new grad--I am more likely to stay and the second reason is that I am truly looking at jobs I want. I want to stay with a company for a good long time. Not just a job.

In the mean time, I am volunteering with organizations that I am interested in and could be of benefit in my future career. For example, over the summer, I did Americorps at a food bank that was doing a summer feeding program for kids who would have otherwise not eaten. Keywords in my field of interest (public health): nutrition, lower income, and dealing with a vulnerable population--children. Was it directly related to nursing? No. Was it something that could impact someone's health status? Yes. I ended up doing a pretty decent job that I was asked to be in an assistant role for the rest of the program (I started out on the food bus route) time, so I ended up working in the office doing reimbursement forms, entering data, making phone calls, and site evaluation visits. So, I ended up with office experience as well. This was a summer program, so it ended after that.

Then, I decided I wanted to do something with people in crisis and mental health issues because I have mental health issues. A volunteer opportunity was presented and now I am doing that. As of now, much of it is in the development process because the facility lost major funding. So, we are brainstorming ideas and programs that could be beneficial to the community, but operate on low funding. I have come up with a few and am working on them. I am also getting crisis hotline trained in January. I am excited about the possible opportunity. Is it directly nursing? No. Is it health related? Yes.

I also sent in an application last night for the medical reserve corps. I think that could bring about some awesome opportunities.

My point is, yes, it is going to be hard as heck to find a job in a monitoring program, but do volunteer work and for lack of better words, break nursing interests down into stuff that can be done without a job (i.e. nutrition, mental health, work with homeless or children, etc.) in nursing. Then, sell yourself on what you have done and what you could do for the company.

Just my two cents. This is how I am going to spin it.