Opinions please

[Twoyearnurse]

Good morning all! I've been recruited to a nurse 2 position with a state phsychiatric hospital, they've been trying to recruit me for two years now. I love psych, I worked at a non nursing community mental health job for five years. The nurse manager knows about my situation and still wants me to apply, in fact when I first got terminated from my previous employment she told me to start a good recovery program, apply, and that she would keep me employed through my eventual investigation and through whatever stipulations I will receive. I felt self assured talking with my counselor about working again. He asked me if I thought I would relapse and I told him I thought it would be really stupid to not consider that a possibility. He asked why I thought it was a possibility and I told him that while right now I don't feel any urges to use, this is a life long battle and that being aware of that makes me practice self diligence and monitoring of my own behaviors. He then asked if I felt ready, I replied i did, and he agreed. I still feel terrified, he said that is normal and expected. I feel like from the moment i became addicted through getting clean I have felt that terror. These days it is much less, it's not everyday, when it does strike me it passes quickly and I feel more confident. I know I'm all over the board with this post. I think what I am trying to ask is: is it a good idea to work before an investigation starts and is my terror really normal? I trust my counselor, but I know you all have experienced this first hand.

[moonwolf]

To be a psych nurse, you need to be sound in mind. If you are not ready, and worried about relapse, continue with counseling. The job will always be there!

[Junebug59, RN]

Congrats, Twoyearnurse!!! very happy for you!!! let me know how it goes! :) YAY! you can do this