lost

Hi sarasidnic,

I dont mean to be thick, but can you expand on what you are talking about because Im not quite getting the picture. Is BON a bachelor of nursing and why was it a battle?

Hi sarasidnic,

I dont mean to be thick, but can you expand on what you are talking about because Im not quite getting the picture. Is BON a bachelor of nursing and why was it a battle?

BON is Board of Nursing and each state has a different policy on how people with drug issues are treated. For most is it a battle with very little support and sympathy (which is a shame)

Thanks Silverdragon, I get the picture now. Cheers.

I am sorry to hear about your state of mind. Please take it from someone who has felt the same way. My case is also too lengthy to explain here but I also thought that all was lost. However, after I decided to be truthful for the first time in many years, I called the Florida IPN and self reported. My drug use was due to multiple surgeries and medical conditions and the drugs were all prescribed and legal. BUT the end result was the same as if I had been out on the street. My tolerance level was astronomical and I was using so much it would have killed a non addicted person. I had to jump through alot of hoops and the IPN pretty much owns me for 5years, BUT I am CLEAN AND SOBER....TOTALLY DRUG FREE. The Florida IPN requires an RN to be totaly abstinent and free of all addictive drugs and alcohol (That includes suboxone ). I am So grateful I cannot put it into words. I went through months of detox "HEL#" and did not sleep for 34 nights but I made it. It feels great to be clear headed. The really funny thing is that once I became drug free, my pain level decreased by about 75%. I went from large amounts of MS Contin and Avinza with breakthrough doses of MSIR. I now only take Aleve and I can manage the pain quite well. By the way, I have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid A, Fibromyalgia, Osteo A. and I have had BOTH of my hips and BOTH of my knees replaced...so I am well aquainted with pain...Don't give up, but do look into your options...find out if you can report to a state IP program. I went through intensive outpatient therapy...I could not afford inpatient..and I go to AA or NA regularly. A weekly Recovering Nurses group is also required by the IPN. It is inconvienent yes but it very likely saved my life. It certainly has given me a much better life than I had. It will help to talk to someone who has had the same experience if you can find someone...there are alot of us out there... or a substance abuse specialist. Good Luck. My prayers are with you.

SWS

sorry,

I had something bad happen to me in 1996 I fell apart for a few years because I was an idiot and did not get the counceling suggested by both the police and the Dr. I surrendered my license in 2001 and was reinstated in 2003. In the beginning I believed the board actually saved me becaused I was forced into counceling and it really worked. I had only been a nurse for 6 months when I screwed up with drugs and was forced to surrender my license.

I was so naive in my thinking when I was reinstated. (Don't laugh) I actually believed that I was lucky to be working with medical professionals because they understood the physiology when it came to PTSD/MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES and how a person could end up taking drugs. I thought I would be received with open arms so to speak becauses I would be working with nurse's and what is a nurses primary function? To take care of people.( NOT!!!!) It's the exact opposite. Anyway, I was accused of a few things I did not do and I sort of made my state board look like idiots and they did not like that. I learned the hard way that most people are intimidated by the board and rarely challenge them. Unfortunatly,I am a thick headed intalian and I cower to no one. If i'm wrong ok but if i'm innocent, I fight to the death, hence my battle with the board

Thank you for sharing that. I am actually moving to Florida within the next year and I was thinking of contacting them so I can set up a meeting with the board, present my history face to face and see if there is anything I can do to appease them if they would be willing to give me a chance to practice in their state. Do you think kthat is a good idea or bad idea?

I think it is a great idea. Go to the Florida IPN website and get the phone number. I would call them and discuss it before calling the state board. You can do it confidentially. If you enter into the IPN contract there is no need to call the board (Unless you do not have a valid current license).I am not suggesting that you "cower", however, it is in your best interest to be rather placid when you speak with anyone from either of these agencies. They hold all of the cards and that includes the ability to work in this state. Florida does happen to be one of the stricter (word?) states when it comes to licensing. I was lucky enough to find a job in case management, so I am not sure if the IPN contract would be a factor in employment. It is not supposed to be held against you, however, some of my friends in IPN have had difficulty getting a job. The market here is so-so. It is not like it was about 5 years ago when you could walk out of one position and have another waiting in the wings. But there are jobs available here.

Good Luck.

SWS

You will find some answers to your questions on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing web site. It takes you to the FAQ regarding discipline and obtaining a license in another state.

Jack