any nurses in recovery in PA?

RN4Brain · Jul 17, 2010

In PA program over 3 years. I always waited until the end of interview to explain situation. I have had 63 interviews over the course of time in program. I have never been hired. I gave up my job search about a year ago.

Good luck. Concentrate on your recovery.

Code55 · Jul 24, 2010

Get a solid foot in recovery first before attempting to get a job first if you can financially. I took about a year off work before applying for work. The shame and guilt was difficult enough and you will need to work on a few things first. Searching jobs and interviewing can just reinforce the shame and guilt if you haven't learned and applied the principles of the 12-step program first.

In my state, I don't have to mention my monitoring status until a job is offered however, I don't advise this. Your monitoring status should be part of the interview process otherwise the employer may think you are keep something from them and honesty is our best course. Give details only if they ask and limit them. You also want to work with an employer that's "reasonable" with your monitoring and recovery. Working for someone that has issues with your passed and monitoring could "burn" you and further injure your license in the future.

Ideally, mention your monitoring toward the end of the interview and attempt to turn the negative into a positive, ie. "how recovery is changing your life not just as a nurse but as a person." Tell them a little about your recovery program if they are interested.

Once you mention your monitoring, pay close attention to their verbal and non verbal response. I've had positive interviews up until the monitoring issues is arises and the mood an tone changes. It tends to go south from there. Oh well, maybe God did not want me there anyway.

Sell yourself and hold your head high and tell them how you've changed as a person and therefore as a nurse. Start practicing interviewing, praying and make connections with others health care professionals in recovery to help you like you've done here.

MizChelleRN · Jul 24, 2010

12steppinit, what a well thought out and accurate reply!!!

When I got caught last April, I didn't get my license back until the end of November and I'm still not employed!!! Then again, I had felony criminal charges pending (diversion) but now they are expunged and what I was told was that most facilities that recieve federal funding (hello Medicare, Medicaid) may NOT hire an employee that will not pass a background check, regardless of what the story is (and technically my case was pending for the year I spent in drug court, suspended case pending the completion or failure of that program, KWIM?) So for the most part I didn't even get any calls to interview....though I did sit through....what, about ten or eleven so far. And so far it comes out pretty early in the interview...like hmmm. why did you leave your last job? why have you been not working for the last year? why couldn't I view your nursing license online? (because the Alternative program in Ohio....your license appears lapsed to the public and can only be verified through the confidential monitoring program, with my permission) Also my experiences have mostly been positive really. It all comes across how you present yourself and your story, how you basically say, I am not proud of what I've done but I am very proud of what I've done and become SINCE then....and elaborate. (I like what the previous poster said about becoming a better PERSON, not just what its done for you professionally...yep yep yep)

purple_peonies · Jul 26, 2010

I too am in VRP, and am actually very happy with how it is run. The case managers have always been very helpful and seem to be well organized(which is a big issue for other states alternative programs I've found)

Your case manager can make or break a potential employers mind when explaining the program to them. For instance, I was previously involved in another states program (for the same reason I'm in VRP) and my case manager for this state never returned a potential employers call with questions about my contract. Needless to say, I didn't get the job.

June2009- Hang in there! VRP is actually not that bad if you're open minded and willing to do all the requirements!

DaisyRN2003 · May 24, 2016

Hi There, I saw your comment in one of the threads about a positive test. You had mentioned that you were honest and they extended your probation? Here is my story: I have less than a year with my monitoring and I drank on Mother's Day. Got called on my positive test, I'm in California and the BON is giving me 5 days to tell my story. I currently have a great job and my supervisor is aware. I am hoping to extend probation and keep me in it, but I am fearing the worst like suspension or even revocation. Can you tell me how long it took for the BON to give you a decision? Did they suspend you then give back your license? I AM SO ANXIOUS. Any feedback will greatly help. Thank you. Feel free to message me pls if you want.