Published
I am a graduate nurse in recovery. When applying for my license I disclosed that I had a relapse in recovery 1 year prior to the application. I felt that with my new way of life through A.A. that I could not live with myself if I was not brutally honest. There was no record of my issues that would have been discovered and I thought doing the right thing was the only way. When I went to the psychiatric exam I figured "what is the worst that could happen?" I am in recovery, attend meetings, work steps and care a whole lot more about my sobriety than any IPN or MD ever will. The hair and urine samples came back clean but the PETH test shows at a .4 which to my understanding makes me a daily binge drinker. I have been told that this is on my permanent record and no matter what I have to live with it. I have maintained my position that I have not had a drink in 13 months and now I just look like a liar. I can think of a million things that I want to do or should say (I am an alcoholic :)) I fear that the more I deny the results of the test the harder IPN will be on me with therapy requirements. I have requested another test for my own sanity. I am hoping that someone made a mistake and I just test clean. I am terrified that I will have to take these tests for the next five years and stand a chance of this happening again. I wonder, does God not want me to be a nurse? Does God want me to put my energy into exposing a test that could be ruining lives? I'd sure like to hear from other's who have any hope, strength and wisdom on the subject. I should get a contract from IPN in the next few weeks. I am studying for the NCLEX and cannot get the lump out of my throat.
AnnabelleP
11 Posts
I would suggest a few things: 1. Yes, fight it, but don't do an Admin. Hearing without a lawyer. It's set up to crush nurses, and they have no chance without representation. 2. Tell FirstSource you want to do get a hair sample tested, and is there a hair sample test they recommend or use. They might have one themselves. You likely have to pay out of pocket, but it gives you one more piece of evidence to poke a hole in their testimony. 3. If you do an Admin Hearing, have witnesses come in and testify in person. 4. Subpeona the person who took your blood or any other person who could support that it was a bad blood draw. We did none of these things and now regret it: She lost her license.