In July of 2009, I turned myself into the Peer program. Not as noble as it sounds, as I knew I was going to be reported for working while impaired (which ultimately was showing in my work).
I valued my career even more than my family and was a work-a-holic. Which is part of the reason my normally social drinking grew into an addiction. I thought this was the end of the world. I lived for almost 3 years scared I would not be able to afford a drug test, or IOP, or house payment. I never found a traditional nursing job while in peer, but I got creative and found a medical assisting job where they eventually agreed to invent a position for me that met my requirements (though my pay stayed the same as a medical assistant).
I was delayed for 6 months due to issues that were out of my control (be careful who and where you work for is my only advice). But as of last week I F-I-N-A-L-L-Y made it through.
Even just a few days later, I have opportunities I never thought of or thought I would have again. The "end" was really a beginning. It was a tough lesson. But I just knew I had to make it. I can't afford to, and have no desire to return to school to be anything else. At all costs I had to stick with it and keep my license.
You can do it. I thought this time would never come! But it does. Keep the faith!
