Brantine

Hey, I agree with Kymmi...just because a doc "ordered" you to give something it comes down to nurses judgement. And you are NOT protected because the doctor ordered it. You still dispensed the med against your professional judgement. I have lived this experience but I was lucky enough to go with my professional opinion. After notifying the doc that I'm using nursing judgement and am not comfortable performing a task (and won't) as ordered I carefully documented everything. I was comfortable with my decision and actually the "higher ups" wanted me to write an incident report as I was the one supported. Next day, I was the one backed up and the patient ended up in surgery and the doctor was fine with me. It's scary today and we have to protect ourselves. It's usually the nurse that gets blamed....I've seen too many lawsuits where the nurse was blamed. I also want to stress that I did this respectfully and did not cause a scene. That helps.

HI!! I swear I thought I was just reading about myself!!! I can't believe you just wrote my situation exactly! I'm waiting to hear about my job/offer by Thursday. Good luck...I'll send vibes and positive thoughts your way. I, too, had a wonderful experience and the woman who interviewed me said I'd be an even BETTER nurse today because of what I've been through and how I live today. Good luck...You're worth it!!!

Thank you to all who responded. It means alot to me. Some days I'm confident and others i realize I'm in the 'real' world and not everyone "believes" in addiction or some say actions such as mine (I stole drugs) (I don't like to say divert...for me it sounds too clean. And that's for ME.) are unforgiveable. then there are days that I realize my life is good because I have a program, network, tools etc.....for those following my message...I just mailed off 10, yes, 10 letters to higher ups about my experience and asking for a meeting. See! Some times I'm strong!! Your support helped me get those out today!1 Now my son has his mom back....ODAAT....

Hi to those of you who responded. I needed the lift today. I have composed quite the letter about my situation without 'accusing' discrimination but the underlying tone is there. I have CC'd it to 9 people, higher ups, ya know, board of trustees members, president and vp of the facility, the secretary of labor and workforce development etc. I'm asking for fairness, the application block to be lifted, and I wanted them to know exactly what happened. Yes, some lawyers agree I have a strong case but I've decidied to try to use the tools I learned in recovery first,,,honey before vinegar!! I was sitting here all nervous about mailing these---certified---to these important people but I AM telling the truth and deserve better. This is when my vulnerability of being an addict creeps back in. Not all medical personnel welcome those of us who are in recovery. But I'm fighting for my future. Thanks for the wisdom and support!! take care....

Thank you easttexasnurse31!! I've felt strongly about this myself. The day this HR person said this to me I documented it. I di go ahead and contact an attorney and you are right. Back when this happened when i mentioned to the HR rep what he said he became irate and said it's my word against his. Due to my program skills I'm the one who remained calm since I knew I was telling the truth. I didn't want to pursue things legally but not only did this man say that to me and take away a job that was offered but he restricted me from any facility afiliated within this medical system which covers the majority of where I live. I knew I needed to contact a lawyer to cover myself and protect my reputation. I'm a single mother and a good, safe rehablilitated nurse who is looking for work. Thanks for your support. keep ya posted.

Hi. want to share an experience. I'm an RN with several solid years recovery. Very happy with life in general. Anyway, the BON told me to get going and find employment. Long story short, I applied, and interviewed at my old job. The DON offered me the job and the Unit manager who interviewed me offered me the job. Everything was great. I was given a tour on my old floor. We worked my orientation schedule around my school schedule. etc. etc. I left there feeling blessed and looking forward to a new job. I received the confirmation call only it was an HR Generalist who said, "I'm not extending an offer for a job. If we hire someone like you we can get sued!" Mind you, I'm cleared all around, the DON knows everything about my present situation. I had my contract at my interview and it's clear that there is no inconvenience to any employer. I was STILL offered the job. But this man who never met me would not let me offer any explanation...he was insulting and almost sounded disgusted. Just wondering if any of my fellow compadres out yonder ever had an experience like this? I'm ok as I know where I stand in my life and recovery. Thanks for any sharing!! :bowingpur

Thanks silverdragon!! Happy Thanks giving...

Hey Jack....I like what you're saying! can someone tell me how to respond to a message directly without it being added to the original message I was responding to? ie...I was reading Chaotics message but wanted to respond to jack Thanks

Good job! Ditto!!!

Hi There! Haven't been on for awhile. WOW! Read all the responses. They were great and I definitely can tell the ones who aren't in recovery. I am. For those who said this is your problem and stop blaming your friend, it's true. Hard to hear but I learned the most from the things that got me the angriest. Usually because I was hearing the truth. and I had to take a look at myself. I'm grateful for those who didn't sugar coat their words. They're friends today and an important part of my network. If you can get an NA Book you'll read that "resentment is the number one offender". For those of us who are blunt it's because we care. This disease wants us dead. I am so passionate about the disease. Reading your message reminded me of me years ago when I first became an addict. The only thing I knew was to be a nurse. How would I take care of my child? How would I survive? I agree with southernbeegirl...get into treatment even if you are clean now. That's where you learn how to live in recovery...what precipitates using...familial history etc. The last thing on your mind should be finding work. I know. You were me and I learned the hard way. It was a matter of time before I stole again because I was in denial. I thought all was ok because I got a job and I felt safe again. About your friend, possibly her first reporting you could have saved your life. The reporting to the police was a reaction to your e-mail. Do you see where I'm trying to get you to look? You stole the narcs and you sent the e-mail. You. We who stole should have been arrested. Why do we get special treatment because we have a license? If my mother stole what I did she'd be arrested. A doctor in my support group says alot, "if we all got what we deserved we be in jail." I won't tell you how to feel. I can only share my experience. strength and hope. Today I am friends with the person who reported me. At first I was livid and blamed her but when I finally apologized to her and thanked her for possibly saving my life it was a wonderful feeling. I didn't get clean right away but it was the beginning of my journey into the horrors of addiction. Sometimes it's hard to read blunt messages but if we pooh-pooh things lives could be lost. So for all of those messages that but it back in your lap, take a look at it. It's all out of care and concern. I can feel their concern when I read their messages. I hope you think about things because you're worth it. Hey everyone, my apologies. I just realized that there are 6 pages of this message/topic. I'm still learning the ropes so thought this was a new message. Hope evryone is well, sober and taking care of themselves for today!! Life is Good!!

:nurse:Hey There Serenity47! Hang in there. I did the same thing...gave up the license and took my time getting healthy and living a good life in recovery until I was ready to return to nursing. My life used to revolve around nursing today it's an occupation. I too had trouble getting work. But I knew I had to fight for myself. Noone owed me a job and I believed in myself and my capabilities. One thing I did is that I sought out potential employers in person. I did not submit apps and hope they would call. I knew I needed to sell myself and the best way was to meet in person. I was offered jobs as an RN but none that fit my schedule (single mom and full-time student). I just applied for a medical assistant job (yes I did) even though I have an active RN license. I need to get my foot in the door. This is with a Trauma Surgical Unit and I love trauma. I told them that i was willing to take a cut in pay because I need work. they were impressed with that!! Hey, I cleaned houses and did whatever I could to work. I think the best advice I can give you is to not expect to find a job on merit alone. be assertive and proactive. Go into facilities IN PERSON and ask to meet the DON, Head of HR, etc whoever it is that would be reviewing your app. let them know you submitted an app. I went in and introduced myself to the DON at a hospital nearby and let her know my name in case an app ever crossed her desk, I wanted her to know who I was. Good luck and don't give up. You will persevere!! We addicts are strong people and I found the more honest I was, I was never turned down. Best wishes!!

Congrats on your interview and being honest. I agree with metnaj23...Honesty. In my state some of the members on the rehab committee are in recovery themselves. You know the saying, ya can't ******** a **********!! They would know if someone was 'fibbing'. Be true to yourself and you'll find everything falls into place. You're alive and fighting a disease that wants you dead. Keep fighting and hold your head up. We are all worth it. ODAAT!

Hi. I'm from MA and I attend a weekly meeting called New England Profesionals Group. I've been attending for 8 years and it has grown!! The meeting is for medical professionals in recovery. It is not intended to separate as if "we're better than" it's a support meeting where we can discuss contracts, SARP, COC forms, MPHS etc. The layperson wouldn't know what these abbreviations were and those are just to mention a few. And as much as the program says "anonymous" there are still sick people in the rooms and they can carry our sharing out the door. Also we're able to support the newcomer and suggest how to go about things with the licensing board, jobs, restrictions etc. I DEFINITELY would not rely on this meeting alone to stay sober. It's just an added benefit to 'unload' with issues the general public need not know. We're also able to confront our peers in getting real and possibly help save their life. For instance, I don't use the word 'divert'. I STOLE medication. Until I got completely real and didn't sugar-coat my actions I wasn't able to move forward with complete surrender. One doc in my group says, "if we all got what we deserved we'd be in jail". I have to keep it real and say I stole meds, I stole security and trust etc. I am so grateful for life today. I can only be a nurse if I have recovery first. I just needed to express myself...it was for me and keep going ODAAT!!

Hi. Congrats on your 9th birthday! I am in school furthering my degree and thinking about the direction of education for the disease of addiction. Reading your post supports what I hear and see now and then...that the medical professionals can be our harshest critics at times. Sometimes I wonder if it's out of fear, anger...possibly someone in their life has negatively affected them. Life is much too short to dwell on your past co-worker. Ignorance of the disease. I am so proud of anyone who has the courage to wage battle against this disease. It's a terminal one. Good luck and keep going ODAAT and be proud! You will help so many others. Your past co-worker is just one person. I'm sure you've helped so many others with your recovery. Thnaks for sharing.

hi. I agree, honesty is the best policy. letting the clinic make an informed decision whether to hire you or not is the best way to go.i don't know what state you're in. this disease is a killer and until i completely surrendered and put my identity of being a nurse aside, only then could i truly focus on recovery. i didn't want to be a dead nurse. as they say, whatever we put in front of our recovery we lose. i wish you luck. for me i have never had adverse results from being honest. actually my BON said my honesty would help in the future. no more secrets!! keep us informed and good luck.