Messed up bad.....

Nurses Recovery

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So I've only had my nursing license since 2011, and I love what I do. Unfortunately, I messed up really bad and now I'm worried about what's next. I tested positive for meth about a week ago. My problem started about a year ago when I hurt my back lifting a patient because I work home health and had no one to as for help. I didn't want to take too much time off work so my doctor prescribed me Norco just for a short time. Problem is my back kept hurting but I didn't want to go back and ask for more because I'm a nurse and thought it was a conflict. So I started skimming them off patients. I'm from a small town and a I ran into a former friend who was into street drugs and said it was cheap. I reasoned it that at least I wasn't stealing from my patients. It got to where I was doing it daily to get through the day....I don't know how I got here. My supervisor got suspicious and called me into HR and I took a UA hoping that I would be clean because it had been a day or two. I wasn't and now I'm terrified of what's going to happen next. I've been looking online at the procedures but honestly I can't think straight. I worked so hard to get my degree and now it's all gone. Can someone please shed some light on what's next?? I've got an OH license. I looked at the BON site for insight for the program regarding drug abuse and chemically dependent nurses. It says something about rehab being an option to save my license along with some very stiff restrictions. Where would I go?? Thank you all in advance.

Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

I'm sending good thoughts your way. It'll be hard, but you can succeed.

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they had family night once a week

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
I can't tell you how much that helps me. I do have to say knowing the records are sealed takes some weight off my chest. I'll go inactive. One thing I haven't mentioned because it's the worst part. I have a son that just turned 2 that I let down. I do take solace in that he's too young o understand and won't remember all this. Rehab scares me a lot because it seems the concensus is that my horrible drug of choice will likely land my inpatient. One person said they were in from Oct-Feb. Do they let toddlers visit?? It'll kill me to be away from him that long...do they let you go home for a bit during rehab to see your family??

((((Hugs))))

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I can't tell you how much that helps me. I do have to say knowing the records are sealed takes some weight off my chest. I'll go inactive. One thing I haven't mentioned because it's the worst part. I have a son that just turned 2 that I let down. I do take solace in that he's too young o understand and won't remember all this. Rehab scares me a lot because it seems the concensus is that my horrible drug of choice will likely land my inpatient. One person said they were in from Oct-Feb. Do they let toddlers visit?? It'll kill me to be away from him that long...do they let you go home for a bit during rehab to see your family??

Be very careful about going inactive! In VA, you have to have an ACTIVE nursing license to be eligible for the recovery program!! Please, please check the requirements of your state's program before you do that! You could be easily shooting yourself in the foot with that move. In VA, the only way to keep our licenses in situations as severe as yours and mine is to do these programs.

If you are willing to do a recovery program, I would start the ball now and not wait for the BON to catch-up to you. You will have to do the time required by the program regardless, so there isn't a lot of point holding out if that is the option you would take if offered.

I knew I was being reported. As soon as I got the contact info for my state's recovery program, I called. Things moved quickly for me and I had a signed monitoring contract in place just as the Board was starting their investigation. It was almost a year by the time I got the verdict regarding my discipline from the BON.

Because I was in the program already and because of other mitigating factors, I was issued a stay of discipline; as long as I successfully complete my five year monitoring contract, there will never be discipline on my license for this event.

Another reason to call is that these programs typically have lists of people that they approve to do your assessments, and another list of rehab/IOP facilities that they accept. It would suck to enter treatment and find out it's not approved.

Yet another reason to start quickly is that you are more likely to get more out of your rehab now then you will maybe nine months later after the Board gets back with you and the cogs start churning. It's easier to swallow rehab when you have an active problem than it is when you have been clean for almost a year. At least I would think so.

As for some of my personal experience, I made the choice not to lawyer up. I felt that my case was pretty darn cookie cutter for a very significant addiction and didn't see the point of trying to fight the accusations. Other people with lesser problems probably would benefit from a lawyer, but I knew I was in a massive pickle with no good way out; I was fairly pinned by the neck.

All things considered, I received the best possible outcome someone in my situation could have had, with or without a lawyer. I got the elusive Golden Goose that is the stay of discipline.

But again, I was dying in the hospital from sepsis and endocarditis thanks to my habit so pretty much anything else was a step up. I didn't think a stay was going to be possible...I was expecting a suspension or revocation.

Best wishes and keep us posted!

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As far as I know Ohio has no recovery program so to speak. They say they have an alternative program on their website but from the sounds of it no one gets in (my lawyer has not had anyone in years). Everything is handled by the bon and their 7-8 monitors who have over 100 nurse to manage. They took three years to get to me. I imagine if I would have not gone inactive they would have given me my sentence sooner.

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Specializes in ER, Open heart, Long Term Care,Camp.

You will probably have to go into diversion, loose your license either permanently or for a period of time depending on what your state decides. I had a good friend steal a whole box of injectable Demerol & got caught-he admitted he did it to get caught as he realized his problem, & lost his license for 5 years. He can only work where he does not come in contact with any narcotics! He works as a scrub nurse.

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As far as I know Ohio has no recovery program so to speak. They say they have an alternative program on their website but from the sounds of it no one gets in (my lawyer has not had anyone in years). Everything is handled by the bon and their 7-8 monitors who have over 100 nurse to manage. They took three years to get to me. I imagine if I would have not gone inactive they would have given me my sentence sooner.

Egads! That is truly a shame.

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Holy cow....that's a lot to take in. It never occurred to me to do any of those measures. I can't begin to express to you all how amazing and helpful you e been to me! It also takes some of the sting away knowing I'm not alone in this. Knowing others can advise me with the best way to approach this is so amazing. I have a lot of work ahead of me but at least now I have a starting point. I love you guys!!!

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As far as I know Ohio has no recovery program so to speak. They say they have an alternative program on their website but from the sounds of it no one gets in (my lawyer has not had anyone in years). Everything is handled by the bon and their 7-8 monitors who have over 100 nurse to manage. They took three years to get to me. I imagine if I would have not gone inactive they would have given me my sentence sooner.

Wait...what?? There aren't any approved facilities or it's just impossible to be accepted?? I'm sick to my stomach....

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Wait...what?? There aren't any approved facilities or it's just impossible to be accepted?? I'm sick to my stomach....

OP, look at this link. It's a document of the actual statute and will help you I'm sure. It's looks like the program does exist but does have a lengthy list of criteria one must meet to qualify. The timing looks quite important. I would start here...it's at least worth a shot to looking into what you can do proactively.

This isn't legal advice...it just looks like it gives good info on the program.

Lawriter - OAC

Best wishes!!!!

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I'm desperate and will dig into whatever I have to. Thank you so much.

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I'm desperate and will dig into whatever I have to. Thank you so much.

Anytime!

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