Kentucky Board KARE

Nurses Recovery

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Specializes in Critical Care, Addiction, Peer Support.

Hi there,

I just wanted to start a thread for anyone who is in the Kentucky Board of Nursing's KARE program. I thought this would be a good place to share/exchange info and lend some support to one another! :angrybird12:

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I am currently trying to get my RN license reinstated with the KBN. I was in the KARE program until my license were suspended April 2009 for 1 year. I had a miscarriage January of 2010, then 2 successful pregnancies even though high risk in 2012 and 2013. I had decided to take time and be a stay at home mom for a couple of years then started the reinstatement process in April 2015. One of my guidelines was to have 24 consecutive negative drug screens. December of 2015 I tested positive for alcohol. I spoke with a medical review officer and he was so mean! He pretty much told me that I was lying and that I did drink lots of alcohol to get those results. I felt defeated. All I had done was ate a lot of Bourbon Balls (a once a year holiday family treat) and had a glass of wine with dinner at my husbands company Christmas party. Mind you that alcohol has never been an issue for me. So January 2016 I had to start all over! Now here it is, same time of the year and I test positive for alcohol again!!! I've not had a drop of alcohol since the previous year! I started drinking Kombucha Tea towards the end of last summer. That's the only thing I can think of the would show up as a positive. I drink 2-3 16oz bottles a day. I started drinking this for the health benefits. Now I'm afraid that the MRO is going to treat and talk to me the same way again and there's no way I can afford or mentally handle another year of this! I am at a loss and very devastated!

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Oops 🙊

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Specializes in Critical Care, Addiction, Peer Support.

What an ordeal. I hope you are able to successfully get reinstated. I have extensive experience with Kombucha- as I brewed it and bottled it for many years. I am no MRO but I would be willing to bet the positive for ETOH is from the Kombucha. Now, what happened with you and the KARE program initially back in 2009, why did your license become suspended if you were already in the KARE program at that time?

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My license were suspended because I tested positive for opioids. My doc was diluadid and OxyContin. I've been drug free since April 2009. I brew and bottle my own Kombucha also. It has really helped me with my digestive system and IBS-c.

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what type of test for alcohol was positive??? Etg/PEth or just urine alcohol.

I know yeast can ferment and produce small amount of alcohol.

Its sounds like the tea is the culprit.

Gabby

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Is anyone still participating on this thread? I have a few questions regarding the program if possible.

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I have not signed a contract as of yet with KARE. I have an investigation into my license related to some call offs that were related to binge drinking and in the end a DUI conviction. I am looking for any advice anyone can offer prior to signing...ie. positive/negative experiences, end all results, overall outcome satisfaction....? please

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Specializes in Critical Care, Addiction, Peer Support.

Hey there, yes, still participating in the thread! I will be glad to share my experiences with you. I just completed my first of five years with KARE, it is awesome! Have you actually contacted the KBN regarding your situation?

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Yes. I actually spoke with them and signed. Feeling a little overwhelmed now though. Not sure I will even find a job.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Addiction, Peer Support.

Are you in the KARE program? Don't let it get you down, or overwhelmed, you are doing the right thing.

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I recently signed a new contract with KARE that allows for blood, hair, and nail testing. Has anyone been popped for one of these?

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