SORRY THIS IS LONG Eight years ago I lost my license due t a felony conviction of obtaining controlled substances. I made a terrible decision about how to deal with a life crisis during that time and was addicted to pain medications. In 2009 I finally got up the nerve to attempt to get my license reinstated. I didn't try before then because I felt ashamed and unworthy and didn't think I had a chance, but to my surprise and after a lot of hoop jumping and $2700.00, my license was reinstated. I was elated. I had never had an addiction before 8 years ago and never had a problem nor relapse after and went through rehab. I was also able to get my record expunged. The problem I am having now is that no one will hired me. Although I can legally check "no" on the convictions question, there is still an adverse disciplinary action on my license that spells out the whole incident and therefore I have to begin every interview with....."8 years ago...and explain what happened. The problem I now face is that although my record is expunged and my background check comes back clear, I am still being denied employment at every turn. I have been honest with everyone upfront and have even had 4 facilities offer me employment knowing my history, and then take back the offer due to someone on the corporate level saying no. I have sent out 74 resumes in a little over 30 days most with applications attached and a summary of my disciplinary action included and no one is responding. I've been applying and job hunting for 3 months. If I do get lucky and get to meet someone face to face, they will give me all this positive talk about how everyone makes mistakes and it's ok, and then I never hear from them again. The BON told me that hundreds of nurses have these types of things on their records and still can be employed. I feel like I have wasted my time, energy, hopes and a lot of money that I didn't have to spare for nothing. When I finally got my license back, I was so full of hope and optimism. I knew it would be hard having that mark on my record, but I never dreamed it would be like this. I have been comfort eating, depressed and reliving the shame that I've felt for so many years all over again and it is making me want to give up because I just don't know what to do. I have applied for CNA and caregiver positions just to get my foot back in the door and to build trust. I have applied for receptionists' positions in physicians offices and even offered to volunteer at our local hospital in order to establish trust and let them see my work ethic before they hire, but they have all just blown me off, or said we'll call you and I never hear from them. Does anyone have any suggestions or should I just hang it up?
Thanks in advance and sorry to be so down right now.
This whole thread really hits some notes for me. I could have written the OP, and several of the posts after that as well. So sorry ayneday to hear what you are going through right now. Yep, we walk a very very fine line and we could get discharged from our programs for technicalities. I don't know what to offer you, but love and support. I'm sorry it played out the way it did for you. I wonder if a lawyer can help you clear up the mistake though...? They told me that I could not be in the Alternative program with a felony on my record. I was given the drug court program and had my felony expunged in June after a year long intensive probation.
That said...I got my nursing license back in November 2009 but could not land a job because I was still on probation. So technically my best chances of finding anything is now, that the felony is erased but I still have the restricted license. Simply, the market is TIGHT. It is hard for MOST nurses to find jobs, and basically my 12 years of experience practically lumps me with the new grads. I would love to believe an employer would be lucky to have me, with my vast knowledge (tongue in cheek) but most people won't deal with the restrictions. Its painful and frustrating.
Some days I have this great attitude. My program reassures me that my Higher Power has a plan for me, there is something out there for me, it will happen on His time, not my time, not the BON's time. I keep looking and keep interviewing and keep applying. Someone somewhere in this thread said it just like I've been hearing it; that interviewers love me...my personality, my experience, everything....but it does usually come down to someone in corporate halting the process. I will say, I've been blessed not to have any really bad experiences during an interview. It is getting more and more comfortable for me to explain my situation for what it was though. And most people are pretty accepting.
Keep plugging along....I do believe we all have something waiting for us out there. xo Michelle
tru that mizchelleRn...keep plugging along. that coupled with humility is key for us recovering nurses who are dealing with restrictions, shady backgrounds,ect...I was on a 1 1/2 year job search, (became real good at interviewing) and finally landed a job at a private boarding school working for 1/2 of reg. nurses wages (humility) I am 3 weeks away from 6 month narcotic restriction to be lifted and got another 9 monthes to go on licensure probation. so i am better than 1/2 way throgh my 3 year contract with my BON.
I still have random U/A's twice monthly and have to attend 3 12-step meetings weekly. But all these problems are luxury problems compared to being in the throes of active addiction. so all those who are struggleing with a job search and all the hoops asked of you to jump through...just keep plugging along...the "promises" will come true for you, just as they are for me.
The economy will improve and the demand for nurses will increase. Yes, even for those of us with blemished records. Find other work in the interim. Keep up to date on your nursing literature and continuing education because your time will come. Stay sober and work on your personal issues. It will pay off, even if you decide to leave nursing.
Work hard. Be happy. Know that you are awesome without chemical enhancement. At the end of the day, there are some things more important than being able to put the letters r and n after your name.
Both the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, prevent discrimination against "qualified individuals with disabilities" (including substance abuse and alcoholism) as long as that disability is on record, and the individual has received treatment for it. I would definitely reccommend researching both of these acts, especially Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act. They cannot deny you employment, so long as you are them most qualified applicant for the position for which you have applied.
I must admit I never understand why people post on here about our "protection" under the American Disabilities Act. This forum alone is FULL of posts from recovering nurses who are denied employment all the time or are terminated from their jobs because of active addiction/alcoholism.
Legistlation and policy is only effective if it can be enforced and I have never heard of a case where someone sucessfully challenged a potential employer and "won".
I must admit I never understand why people post on here about our "protection" under the American Disabilities Act. This forum alone is FULL of posts from recovering nurses who are denied employment all the time or are terminated from their jobs because of active addiction/alcoholism.
Legistlation and policy is only effective if it can be enforced and I have never heard of a case where someone sucessfully challenged a potential employer and "won".
Yes. I agree. An employer can always say they fired or didn't hire for some other reason than addiction, if they are questioned.
I would try to seek employment in a private practice to where it is a group of physicians, not a corporation, that will decide if you are hired or not. You will most likely not get a job anywhere that would give you access to narcotics...so focus on places where you would not be near them.
When you interview be sure to emphasize, "I can pass a hair follicle test today and I am more than willing to subject myself to any random testing that this organization deems reasonable. I just need a chance and I can assure you I haven't been out of the 12-step program for weeks...it's been years. I just need a second opportunity to prove myself."
Expungements for drug convictions are not easy to get and most people don't realize that...you have to go a LONG way to get a judge to approve that. It should be worth something.
I for one have zero sympathy for those that are current addicts and then complain on the problems that come with it, such as employment issues, however, I have TONS OF RESPECT for those that have conquered their addiction and moving heaven and earth to get to a better place, ARE in a better place, along with taking responsibility for their actions and not scream that "it's not fair".
I would hire you...in a second. Mainly because you are a long way from where you were before. You just need to find someone that feels the same.
MizChelleRN
94 Posts
This whole thread really hits some notes for me. I could have written the OP, and several of the posts after that as well. So sorry ayneday to hear what you are going through right now. Yep, we walk a very very fine line and we could get discharged from our programs for technicalities. I don't know what to offer you, but love and support. I'm sorry it played out the way it did for you. I wonder if a lawyer can help you clear up the mistake though...? They told me that I could not be in the Alternative program with a felony on my record. I was given the drug court program and had my felony expunged in June after a year long intensive probation.
That said...I got my nursing license back in November 2009 but could not land a job because I was still on probation. So technically my best chances of finding anything is now, that the felony is erased but I still have the restricted license. Simply, the market is TIGHT. It is hard for MOST nurses to find jobs, and basically my 12 years of experience practically lumps me with the new grads. I would love to believe an employer would be lucky to have me, with my vast knowledge (tongue in cheek) but most people won't deal with the restrictions. Its painful and frustrating.
Some days I have this great attitude. My program reassures me that my Higher Power has a plan for me, there is something out there for me, it will happen on His time, not my time, not the BON's time. I keep looking and keep interviewing and keep applying. Someone somewhere in this thread said it just like I've been hearing it; that interviewers love me...my personality, my experience, everything....but it does usually come down to someone in corporate halting the process. I will say, I've been blessed not to have any really bad experiences during an interview. It is getting more and more comfortable for me to explain my situation for what it was though. And most people are pretty accepting.
Keep plugging along....I do believe we all have something waiting for us out there. xo Michelle