symtz

LONG POST- Sorry! Hello everyone, I wish you could all see the smile on my face. I got a job!!!!!!! A good job! With an excellent manager job! 2 minutes from my house job! Great hours job!! fair pay job!! with benefits job!! I got a job, y'all!!!! a work around my narcotic restrictions job!! I am officially a nurse again!!! I am soooooooo happy and grateful and hopeful and joyous and blessed!! a little background- originally referred to TPAPN in 2014 for prescription medication addiction. This was actually the chance of a lifetime to get my stuff together and I failed miserably--did everything wrong, thought I was smarter than the system and could control my addiction, thought I could "fake it until I could make it kind of thing" and was thrown out of TPAPN and referred to board. During that waiting period I actually put in the work, worked a program like my life depended on it (it did!), became honest and transparent and made a change. I fully expected to have my license revoked. I was very surprised to be offered (April 2016) a stayed suspension and the opportunity to rejoin TPAPN (but no longer confidential). For the past year I have applied EVERYWHERE! Been on over 30-40 interviews, for the most part- positive experiences that left me hopeful and made it that much harder when I would not get the jobs. HR pulled a few offers off the table and even worked 2 days at a home health agency before the owner called me and told me he never approved a nurse with a stipulated license and he did not want to take the liability. I cannot explain the anxiety and the disappointment that became worse after every failed interview. (but great learning experiences). A couple of weeks ago, I had cortisone injections for back pain and in doing my homework on the facility prior to my injections (i.e. google search for good or bad reviews), I came across an RN opening for the facility. I thought what the heck and applied for the position with no real expectation. I have no perioperative experience and imagined that the narc-restriction would be a deal-breaker. The next day, God stepped in! the clinical director called me to go over my pre-op phone assessment because I mentioned to another nurse I had some special circumstances that I needed to make them aware of and I would need documentation of any anesthetic administered. I divulged to her that I was an RN in recovery as part of the assessment and not as an interview. She called me the next day in reference to my application and already knew of my circumstances. I was able to meet her for a few minutes while in the holding bay prior to my procedure (in a gown and surgical cap!) and she was in the OR/procedure room with me. She called me a few days late rand offered me the position!! In a week's time I obtained my case managers approval and was able set up the work agreement meeting with my advocate present. I start Monday. I wanted to share this news with you all because I know how it feels to be on the verge of giving up, I know how it feels when there is no end in sight and it seems like you will NEVER get hired! Someone gave me a chance. I fully believe in the "just keep doing the next right thing mantra". I am beyond nervous and I know due to my restrictions that most if not all of the staff will know I am in a monitoring program. So I am determined to work my butt off, bring my best attitude and prove myself as an asset to the team so that in time, they will look at me and not think of my past issues. I still cannot fully believe this is happening. I have been fortunate to have job for the past 2 years making 15/hr but now I get to make a nurse's wage again, my family will be so much better off and I am so proud of this journey. This is another puzzle piece coming together in my quest to get my life back. God answers prayers and perseverance pays off. Stay positive. I just wanted to share because I could really have used some hope in the last few months. Thank you everyone for your words of advice and encouragement. I will check in soon!

Hello all! I have been a bona fide lurker for the past 2 years and finally feel a need to post and. Vent tonight! I know this subject has been posted to death but WHEN will I finally find a job??!! I have been to at least 30 interviews this summer and keep getting turned down. I finally heard back from Davita today, I was feeling so positive about this position but I didn't get it. I restarted Tpapn in April with a Board order and I am feeling so hopeless right now. I just celebrated 1 year clean and sober but sometimes I just feel like no one is ever going to take a chance on me. I just want the chance to prove myself, work my butt off and be an asset to my profession. Would love some words of wisdom tonight...

I NEVER EVER give a shot with the needle I used to draw up the med. Always draw with either a blunt tip or a filter needle and ALWAYS use a new needle for injection. I want that needle as sharp as can be!

My boss just called me in a few days ago to tell me a postpartum patient that I wheeled down to the car called to complain about how rude I was...her complaint? I DIDN'T TELL THEM HOW CUTE THEIR BABY WAS!!! I told my boss "well, maybe it was an ugly baby" I had a daylong smile over that one!