I've been in the medical field for over 23years. Been an LPN for 15years. I never had a negative mark on my licence. I just went back to work after being out puff work for over a year because i broke my ankle in three different places and dislocated it. I started this new job and just got off orientation less than a Week before this incident. I had a rough night after a three day stretch of work...oh,also i startedd working 11pm-7:00am for the firs. time ever, and it was a challenge to say the least. So i came into work after two days off and immediately was asked if i knew that i was supposed to file paperwork on 11-7 upstairs...( i was working on another floor this night) that enraged me because i was at work till 9:00 am on the morning that this particular nurse was questioning me about. So i went on to tell her ( as other nurses were around) that i did everything i could that night considering there was 40+ patients, one nurse..me, and two nursing aides. Needless to say, i was swamped. So apparently whilI was ranting and raving, i told her on my way home that Monday morning i got pulled over because i was so tired. The police were very nice and let me have someone come get me and leave my car there. Well apparently somebody went and told the administrator add the nurse educator what i said and everything went left...and i mean left. So on Thursday morning after my overnight shift i got called into the office. The administrator and nurse educator started to attack my nursing abilities, my ability to work 11pm to 7am and low and behold the morning i got pulled over was a concern to them. They both left the room and i will admit, i was scared ****. Why??? Because i went out with my girlfriends Tuesday night to celebrate my friends divorce, and my return to work after being home over a year and had a few drinks and did one tiny line of cocaine....i know, bad decision. Also since i returned to work my ankle had been swelling up and killing me. I'm not on any meds, but many girlfriend had a few Tylenol #3 and offered me one. So dancing and having a good time, i didn't wanna be a Debbie downer and i went on with my night. After doing what i did, i didn't think about it again...until that dreaded morning. So, they asked me to give them a urine and i did it....i should of said no and let them fire me. But inn my head i had something to prove, what, i don't know. So i left after my urine and Fled to my car to cry. I went about the rest of my day and impatiently waiting for the bad news. Finally my phone rang and she in the sweetest voice ever asked if i was working tonight and could i come in and sign my competency papers before 4:00pm. I agreed. So when i got in there, What she really wanted was my signature on the drug test i took earlier in the morning. Surprise Surprise. Anyways, again i could have opted out and of course i didn't. Needless to say they suspended me until the results come back. It's been a Week today and i called the lab yesterday. Drug screen came back positive for cocaine and morphine (codeine changes to morphine. ..great.) haven't heard from my work, But the day after i submitted my urine, i resigned and explained my side of the situation. So here's my question...what happeneds next? Is there a chance they won't contact BON?? I'm not an addict and I'm 42y.o. honestly to Do a 5year program...I'd end up with My licence back at the age of 47. What should i expect and what should my next step be? Thank you guys. Please no scolding..i think ive done a good job at that on my own.
I agree, you sound like a job is what you are in need of immediately. I would still suggest meetings because you need some people you can vent to and who can offer guidance on how to slow down those thoughts of yours.
I'll tell you what I did in regards to a job- I looked on Craigslist under the non profit sector and identified jobs that stated "human services degree required". Nursing is a human services degree. The job I have now just barely pays the bills, but it pays them and I adore it and having an active license was not a requirement. There are options here I assure you!
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
WOW!,
I actually read that last post and I am saying to myself and to you that you are engaging in very classic addict thinking, You are coming up with all the reasons why you can't get well. If you can't afford a lawyer don't hire one. If you don't have insurance get it - IF you live in the US you are now required by law to have it anyway. It doesn't cost anything to go to meetings. If you have to stop nursing for a while and just get a job any job do it.
Yes your head is spinning because that's what happens when we functional alcoholic/addicts finally run off the rails. Face it - as a single mother you were not thinking about your child when you were out doing cocaine and boozing it up. This is your reality check moment!
Stop take a deep breath go on-line today and find your self an open meeting - go sit in that room and if so moved open your heart and share - IF you are not ready to call yourself an alcoholic simply I denify as someone who wants to stop drinking as it has caused problems in your life.
The 1st principle of recovery is to take one day at at time if you can't do that take it an hour, minute, second at a time (whatever it takes). eventually those seconds minutes and hours turn into days, weeks and years. Believe it or not, not all persons sitting in the rooms of alcoholics anonymous are gutter level drunks - they are husbands, wives, Dr's, Lawyers and Indian Chiefs over time they may be able to give you valuable insight and even help with employment. For right now file for unemplyment - If you don't qualify because you have been off work for so long at least apply for AFDC.
Adnitting the problem to yourself and owning it is tremondously freeing - Believe me I have been there and done that and am doing it again though on my own volition this time before it becomes an issue that warrants BON involvement.
Why so many excuses? This wasn't an accident. You didn't have "a little line of cocaine" mixed in your coffee and set up. You did this. "A little line" of cocaine is nothing to brush off. I'm sorry you're going through this but please cut the crap out and admit you messed up.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I respectfully disagree - I went through the very punitive program set up by CALIF BRN - By the time I had my first evaluation meeting I was in IOP and had done 90/90 had a sponsor and was actively working on my recovery. The Board laid out their plan to me and said they normally required 30 IN-Patient Treatment but since I was in an IOP program they would wait to see how things went. THere were many stipulations that they didn't back down on and I realize every state is different but what they all want to see is humility and honesty.
There's no harm in going to meetings which are free and if your not an alcoholic you can leave but I suggest the OP stay as after a time they will gladly refund your misery.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Just a Kinder gentler thought! Who watches your child/children when you are working or socializing? If it's a family member could you possibly rely on them to help you out? I know it's really hard to admit to family what has happened but you'd be surprised how well they can respond (unless they are absolute *******s). This is not the end of the world and the positive UI is not used to convict you of being an addict. It does however note a lapse in judgement which may have put public safety at risk and that is what the board cares about.
As for not working - Most people in California program if they keep their noses clean and do what they are told are permitted to return to work without medication privileges in 12 to 18 months. I was doing volunteer counseling a couple of hours a week at the psych facility where I did my IOP when the DON there found me and offered me a job. The BON approved it right away. At 24 months I had my med privileges back and the next three years was all monitoring. I was the first "Impaired" RN they had hired and because of me the door to others in the same predicament was opened. It also led to a very rewarding career in the field of mental health nursing.
AS for money apply for unemployment right away - if you can get a diagnosis for major Depression from a psychiatrist. Every state is different and some don't pay disability for substance abuse treatment but most do pay for Depression and you'd be lying if you said you weren't depressed over all this. Disability will not permit you to work at least on the books so you can get SNAP to cover your food bills. If you don't go the disability route and you apply for another job Non-Nursing check no on the box that states can we check with your employer. Write prefer to discuss in person. When asked simply tell them the job wasn't a good fit which is not a lie. If they do end up contacting your previous employer all they can legally say is your dates of employment Federal law even forbids them from asking if you are available for re-hire. These were all things I learned in the rooms of AA. Liked another poster said I don't agree with all aspects of the AA paradigm but it did help me a lot and they are always there kind and not judgmental when I stop in for a meeting.
AS for money apply for unemployment right away - if you can get a diagnosis for major Depression from a psychiatrist. Every state is different and some don't pay disability for substance abuse treatment but most do pay for Depression and you'd be lying if you said you weren't depressed over all this. Disability will not permit you to work at least on the books so you can get SNAP to cover your food bills.
Are you freaking kidding me with this? That's what's called "gaming the system" and it really pisses off those of us who end up paying for it! I think since she said she was celebrating her divorce, it's more accurate to say she'd be lying if she claimed to be depressed. You're advising her to get a fake disability claim for depression she doesn't have, and get SNAP based on the fake disability claim. Never minding that this advice could land her in jail for disability and welfare fraud, the taxpayers funding your lovely scheme are standing in the background angry and disgusted. This kind of crap damages the system for those who actually need it.
Perhaps I might be wrong but I believe a lot of people with substance abuse problems may have a problem with underlying depression. A lot of denial is involved in substance abuse. Just my opinion.
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Hey RED,
What I said may have been misconstrued or I didn't say it right. What I meant was that she should go to a psychiatrist and get evaluated for depression. In my own case I was diagnosed with Major depression but i had attempted suicide. I had a very abusive childhood and siffered from PTSD although I didn't know it. It's a fact that most alcoholics and addicts are chronically depressed and drinking and drugging are how they medicate. It's stupid too because drinking, taking street drugs and partying are often far more expensive that seeing a doctor. I collected disability for 18 months while I was not working. I still suffer from clinical depression which is a chronic disease although I don't resort to self medication .
I think you gave great advice, often times early in this game we don't know what options are available to us. I know I could have benefited from accessing those resources that for many years I contributed to. There is nothing wrong with using something we've paid into, if we qualify.
It would have relieved a lot of the financial stress I experienced at the beginning.
Are you freaking kidding me with this? That's what's called "gaming the system" and it really pisses off those of us who end up paying for it! I think since she said she was celebrating her divorce, it's more accurate to say she'd be lying if she claimed to be depressed. You're advising her to get a fake disability claim for depression she doesn't have, and get SNAP based on the fake disability claim. Never minding that this advice could land her in jail for disability and welfare fraud, the taxpayers funding your lovely scheme are standing in the background angry and disgusted. This kind of crap damages the system for those who actually need it.
I got benefits during my crisis- after paying into the system for 20 years I used the insurance that is there. It is not "gaming the system", without the insurance that I paid into I would have had a lot more stress which likely would have put me into a situation that I could not have gotten out of...
As a Nurse you should know that a person can be depressed while publicly appearing to be well. You might as well say "Diabetic? Are you kidding me? She was just out having cake and ice cream... Now she is gaming the system with her hospitalization for DKA"
As a Nurse you should know that a person can be depressed while publicly appearing to be well. You might as well say "Diabetic? Are you kidding me? She was just out having cake and ice cream... Now she is gaming the system with her hospitalization for DKA"
I don't believe RED is a nurse. The title next to the name says CNA. Maybe that explains the "knowledge deficit" as we say in nursing diagnoses. I recall a recent post where RED instructed us all on basic science.
Maybe I shouldn't be commenting, but the tone of Red's posts is ticking me off.
Twoyearnurse
510 Posts
I agree, you sound like a job is what you are in need of immediately. I would still suggest meetings because you need some people you can vent to and who can offer guidance on how to slow down those thoughts of yours.
I'll tell you what I did in regards to a job- I looked on Craigslist under the non profit sector and identified jobs that stated "human services degree required". Nursing is a human services degree. The job I have now just barely pays the bills, but it pays them and I adore it and having an active license was not a requirement. There are options here I assure you!