Will an RN lose his/her job if they pursue rehab?

Nurses Recovery

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Hello,

I would like to know an essential question. If there is a registered nurse who would like to pursue rehab with the private health insurance which is provided through their work place--- can that nurse lose their job?

This nurse has a drinking problem and feels the need to have at least four drinks per day on their days off. They have never hurt anyone (by driving or practicing drunk) but they recognize this formed habit over a span of 11 months and would like help after unsuccessful self-discipline. Any advice would be appreciated.

I've always assumed HIPPA and medical privacy would shield anyone from knowing, as long as the registered nurse hasn't been offended for harming someone through their actions. Thank you. :*

Do NOT admit you are a nurse! Don't even try to fudge a bit and say you're a nurse but you're not actively employed right now. I know of nurses who sought help, and their doctors turned them into the board of nursing. They ended up in a 5 year monitoring program. Even nurses who weren't employed as a nurse at the time.

They will probably ask you what your job is, as a way to try to find out your stressors and triggers. Come up with an answer before that happens and stick to it! They will also probably ask employer's name and address when you are completing application forms. I don't know what to advise you to say, maybe that you don't work (but then you have to explain how you have insurance) or you work in a non medical job. I don't know if they check that stuff out, maybe someone else can help with that. Maybe you can say you choose not to answer those questions. That way you're not lying. I just know you definitely don't want to admit to being a nurse!!!

Thank you for the advice.

Specializes in OR.

that This question even needs to be asked is but a symptom of a much deeper problem. Sadly, the answer is not only possibly thier job, but also thier entire career, financial stability and all they have worked for.

I think usually they don't report the nurse but there have been instances where the doctor or staff did report the nurse. I would agree not to admit you are a nurse, just to be on the safe side. You still have to fill out the paperwork for insurance reasons and the doctor has to fill out FMLA paperwork for you. You'll have to keep the place of employment honest but either make up a different job title or tell them you don't want to say your job title. They'll probably assume you're a nurse though if you say that you don't want to say what you do. But even if they look it up and see a nurse with your name on the BON site they can't prove it's you.

FMLA paperwork is pretty vague but you'll want the doctor not to give specifics on your diagnosis on there, which they should be familiar with how to do that. This is a guide for FMLA paperwork with a sample of what is on there. See the written notes on question 4.

FMLA for Doctors and Health Professionals (Medical Certifications) | ToughNickel

You could also have someone of the opposite gender (so they dont think it was you when you show up) call them and ask hypothetically if they report nurses in a similar scenario just to see what they say. I still wouldn't admit you are a nurse but I personally would choose another place if they say that they would report.

I truly do not understand how this is even legal. Someone, who has never broken the law, or diverted, etc., enters rehab voluntarily is reported to the BON. I find it reprehensible that this question has to be asked. Nurses who would like to seek tx may be too scared to be reported, which in turn, leads them deeper into their addiction, adding to the chance that a pt will actually be harmed. Does this make sense? I am infuriated by this whole scenario!

Yes completely agree do NOT answer that you're a nurse! Makes me sick how nurses aren't allowed to be human and don't need help sometimes through the BON! I know first hand because I'm in the damn robbers program...oops I mean monitoring program myself given 3 years! I had false allegations made against me through my divorce from my ex husband and the help of his aunt who was my former DON they said whatever they could to try to help him get custody not to mention false arrest charges which thank God were dropped! Also it came up that years ago I was in rehab for checking myself in for prescription drug addiction. I had surgery after surgery and my ex was very abusive and was on benzos and just wanted off all of it and went into treatment but this was over 8 years ago and the place I went to was a suboxone clinic which I really knew nothing about at the time! I was only on that for a few years but that ALL was found and turned into the BON and even though I've had no mess ups for some reason(guessing because I have a job and they could get money out of me) they put me in monitoring for 3 years!?? It truly makes me sick and that as nurses we have to endure what is my eyes is considered abuse! Actually anybody in the medical profession doctors especially! I don't see how it's all legal but they do it anyway!

Yeah, go to rehab but say you are a phlebotomist or something else. I was turned in by my hospitalist when I was hospitalized from complications from drug abuse. I wasn't working as a nurse at the time, but my license was still active. I thought I was being smart by not working as a nurse trying to sort myself out, but ultimately, it didn't matter. They knew I was a nurse and reported me to the BON and now I'm in a five year program. Definitely get help, but keep your true profession zipped up tight.

Loose lips sink ships. You should not tell your profession. Someone will report you. I've seen it happen.

Specializes in Emergency.

Less is more...if you don't have to say anything...say nothing...honestly its none of their ******* business and ultimately as long as they get paid that's all that "actually" matters

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