moonchildRN333

Hi all, I started the diversion program in late 2017. For several reasons I was not successful. I was placed on medical leave from my job ( I am a case manager), I had just ended a 18 year marriage and a horrible divorce ( very costly), and I used drugs for the first time in my life at the age of 40, was up for several days and when I went to work the next day I was acting "funny" (from lack of sleep), my manager called me in and asked what was going on? I broke down and just unloaded all that had been going on in my personal life. My employer never reported me but did a drug screen and I was completely honest and upfront about what they would find, so I was sent on medical leave and took disability for six months. I had no idea where to turn so I looked on the CA BRN site and saw the diversion program. As someone who never drank, took drugs I had no idea where to turn. The diversion program was the solution the BRN had on their website so I called, and called, and called. Finally about three weeks later I got a call back, was told to go to AA meetings and Co-dependent meetings and I would be scheduled a hearing in LA to be formally accepted into the diversion program. At my first UA ( $125 to the testing site and $65 to the diversion program) I popped positive and was ordered to go to outpatient treatment. I complied and found it to be an amazing place for me to be as I was finally able to open up and work through issues. Two weeks later I had the hearing and I was told that I had "fallen too hard, too fast" and I needed a 30 inpatient treatment, and if I didn't go I would be turned over to the board and risk losing my license. Well, at $7000 a week for a treatment facility and other issues at home going on, I left after 10 days. This was in January. I returned to my place of employment in May, when my six months of medical leave was complete and my first day back I returned home to find a legal accusation from the diversion board in my mailbox and they said I was unsafe to practice because I didn't finish the program. My hearing was set for August 15th. I was upfront about my accusation with my employer and was doing great back at work and on August 1st, I was told I was being fired or I could "forcefully resign" which would look better if I ever wanted to return to nursing. I had to go to the hearing without any character witnesses, I was too ashamed to ask any friends or family to speak on my behalf. The decision came back in October and my license was revoked for three years. I never put any patient in danger, or coworkers, family or friends. I was only on a self destruction path. I was not met with ANY compassion, guidance, advice or reassurance from the board, the diversion program, my former employer nor any of my co-workers for the past six years. I was ghosted. This past August, I successfully petitioned the BRN to have my license reinstated and attended my hearing on 12/21/21. I was present, represented myself, had documentation of my treatment, character witnesses and was able to be coherent. To this day I am still awaiting the outcome. The waiting part is the hardest. If anyone has also had their license revoked and successfully had it reinstated, I would love to hear and hopefully lessen some of the stress about the unknown. I loved being a nurse and I was great at my field of case management. It has been four years since I have practiced and this whole experience has been life changing, for the best. Thank you