Monkies

Well said! After a mental health crisis, suicide attempt at work, I was dragged through the mud. Never had a positive drug test in my life, did not receive a diagnosis of abuse nor addiction, but now I have a public document detailing my personal health that will follow me the rest of my career. I live in a state that doesn't allow reprimands to be removed after X years. It feels like the Board has created a situation that will hold me to this awful time in my life not allowing me to move on and heal because I will never be able to finish the handed down punishment - every job, every employer, every step in my future will have this public reprimand attached until I say xxxx it and turn in my license or retire. I also agree with what you said about the board practicing and allowing things that would never happen in civil nor criminal court. Change is definitely needed.

I absolutely LOVE critical care and the ICU. My biggest piece of advice is develop excellent self-care practices! You are dealing with pts who can turn in a heartbeat, and potent medications/treatments. No matter how educated, practiced, or experienced you are, if you don't make an effort to practice self-care the stress will sneak up on you. Aside from that: * Hone your assessment skills, head to toe. * Review your vasoactive medications, what to expect vs unexpected, including how the medications affect change when used in combination. * Know your cardiac rhythms, standard and the "not so standard but headed down hill" rhythms. * Questions are your best friends. If you don't know, ask. Even if you do know, ask until you are 100% and you become the one to ask. The rest you can pick up as you go.

Yeah, a clean slate would be nice,. Trying to decide if I have the strength to "face the music" and return. It is, or was, a position I very much enjoyed, with amazing co-workers. I have been told they are holding my position pending the results of thr BON investigation, and am on the fence about returning. For reference, I wasn't caught diverting, but had a bit of a mental health crisis at work. Unfortunately, the BON was notified, recommended the program, and an evaluation. I met with the evaluator, who stated "I see no reason for an addiction or substance use diagnosis, but I would still like to do 1 year of monitoring." I don't use, 3 urine tests and a hair test all negative, yet he recommends 1 year monitoring. SMH.

Just wondering if anyone returned to the same job after accusations or being caught? How did you handle everything, the gossip, broken trust with co-workers, etc? In hindsight, would you do the same or find another position?