Nurse Beth, MSN, RN please help!!

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Dear Nurse Beth,

i need your knowledge and experience on this. I am living a better life after my rough beginning into recovery. I'm different from the inside out and have changed my behavior because i wanted to be who i was always meant to be. An outstanding, hardworking and caring RN. My daily struggle is not the medication I not only abused but also used to treat my depression I have had since i was a child. I have an active RN license with no medication restriction. Do what i need to do daily to not only stay clean but to help my spirit and soul remain peaceful and happy. I'm looking for work and recently got turned down. I was highly disappointed but now after assessing everything. Besides a wonderful and well structured resume is there a piece missing that i'm not seeing. I always feel great during interviews and confident but I don't feel as confident. I feel like I'm hiding a big part of me and i hate that. I'm an honest person and try to be but I feel I'm hiding so much. I wish i could just tell my interviewers Hi I'm Clara38 recovering addict.

But of course i can't if I want to be hired. As if Im the only nurse in recovery. In a world where gay marriage is finally legal I have to hide a part of me. It makes me feel awful because I'm proud and don't regret my life. My experience made me Clara38 proud to be me. Yes I used and abused prescription pain medication but I became proud, strong, and happy me.

How can I still be proud when i feel like i have to lie until a position is offered. The reality no one gives nursing jobs to a nurse that says hi i'm clara38 recovering addict. How can i look for work and present myself as honest when I'm waiting to let the real me when a manager offers me a job. Even just putting that out there feels wrong like i took a vacation without permission.

i need your thoughts from where you stand. I need to feel confident to get the job. I feel im in conflict with what i feel is honest and the part were im not.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Who is Nurse Beth?

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She has written articles on this site and has experience. I copied this:

Nurse Beth, MSN, RN 160,049 Views

Hi! Nice to meet you! I wear many hats: MedSurg Clinical Educator, Blogger, Consultant, Writer, Subject Matter Expert, past Nursing Manager of multiple units. I mentor new grads, precept graduate students and facilitate new grad Debriefing. I train Preceptors, teach Basic Arrhythmia, and try every day to help nurses get a good and supportive start in nursing. I also love Nutella.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nurse Career forum

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Is there an experience gap in your resume? If so, this may be providing a negative impression to potential employers. There's no need - EVER - to disclose personal information as part of the employment process so don't feel as though you need to do so. All they need to know is that your license is unencumbered and you are clean and capable of performing your job. This information is provided by the 'normal' processes. Don't over share. These aren't your close friends or family members.

I know it's really hard when you are not selected for a job, but that doesn't mean that it is due to any thing "wrong" with you -- it just means that they found someone else who is better qualified or a better fit. It's not personal They don't even know you. Have you asked for feedback from the organizations/people with whom you've interviewed in order to determine whether there are any areas in which you can improve?

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I did speak to the interviewer I get the feeling i'm just not experienced for what they need. It was weird my interview took longer than an hr. So now I'm trying to think what area i would like to go back into. I guess i just need time and something will come. Thank you!!

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