So my license is going to be suspended for 12 months by the board for diversion. I self reported to my state’s alternative-to-discipline program but I’m getting disciplined anyway. I can apply to have it reinstated at 12 months and the requirements are basically the same as my monitoring program.
I feel like I’ll never get another nursing job after all of this. I’ve been out of work for four months and have not even been able to find work anywhere yet (applying anywhere and everywhere including grocery stores/gas stations/etc. it’s so hard not getting really depressed over this.
I’ve been under monitoring since 9/14 so not long. I’m still in outpatient treatment once a week. I just really want to work. I can’t seem to forgive myself for this horrible mistake I’ve made.
I was in my states monitoring program for 3 years. I can't speak for anyone else but for me, yes it was 100% worth it for several reasons.
1. I love being a nurse, I love my job. I can't imagine doing anything else.
2. I'm not trained to do anything else. I've been in healthcare since I was 19. I've been going to work in scrubs for over 20 years!
3. My job allows me to live comfortably and I would like to continue to do just that. I can't think of one thing I could do that I wouldn't need to go back to school for and make what I currently make a year. I have zero desire to ever go back to school.
It is costly but doable. I cleaned houses my first 9 months in and I managed to get by. IOP was 12 weeks long and based on a sliding scale. Testing was $75 and I tested 2 times, sometimes 3 times a month. So, I was paying about $450 a month for the first 6 months, then about $150-$225 a month after that. Each state is different but I would still do what I had to do. I did some stupid things and put my license in jeopardy and I felt lucky to be given another chance to redeem myself.
Thank you Indiana, you said it better than I could have!
I am making $17/hr in the only non-nursing job I could find. I got rejected from Costco, gas stations, Target, and many work from home jobs. I was making $34/hr as a nurse. So I figure whatever I have to pay in monitoring I will make up for in salary if I can get another nursing job.
More importantly, I am an addict. While monitoring hugely sucks, at least it will hold me accountable.
After dropping out of my monitoring agreement my license has been on suspension. I’m now back in the program but having difficulty finding work outside of nursing. I may even consider a factory job at this point. Thank you all for sharing it has really uplifted my spirit.
I went from hero nurse to working at Target and Jimmy John's Target from 4am-12pm and JJ 4pmg-10pm while doing intensive outpatient rehab. Swallow the pride and do what you have to. Don't aim too high in the beginning. Just aim for a better job each time and keep moving forward. Action takes precedence over sorrow.
Nope, no way I’m doing another 5-6 years. I got a much better job where I make as much as I did whilst doing 1/3 of the work (edit) from home. Oh and I can have a drink if I want.. they spy on everyone’s social media including this website btw, be careful. What they do to nurses with mental illnesses is absolutely horrible.
I went from hero nurse to working at Target and Jimmy John's Target from 4am-12pm and JJ 4pmg-10pm while doing intensive outpatient rehab. Swallow the pride and do what you have to. Don't aim too high in the beginning. Just aim for a better job each time and keep moving forward. Action takes precedence over sorrow.
How in Gods name do you have time for IOP with THAT schedule. You know the worst part is that so many nurses in KY and across the country have gotten off with only a reprimand for actually abusing, neglecting and even killing patients. And not because they were intoxicated but because they’re horrible people. But they had $50,000 laying around somewhere to hire a lawyer to save their asses.
Do not trust the board. They are not your friends, they aren’t on your side, and they definitely do not care what’s going on in your life. Do not forget this and good luck
I’m not up for reinstatement till this fall. I’m working out of nursing doing grocery delivery services in my community. Keeps me busy enough till I go back into nursing.
casinjth2
40 Posts
Thank you for your testimony. I feel the same way about my profession.