metnaj23

You will be expected to have an evaluation with a certified addictionologist. The cost is around 400-500.00 dollars. The doctors are very good in detecting deception in regards to use of alcohol and drugs. If a problem exists they will discover it. You will have psychological computerized testing. The questions asked vary from sensible to absurd and number about 500 or greater.You will have to take a urine and hair test to detect the presence of drugs and or alcohol.They will make a report and send IPN their findings. IPN will then proceed based on the report. They may find you don't require monitoring but that is unlikely. They may find that you require 2years of monitoring or they may find that you require 5 years of monitoring.They can take your narcotic privileges for 1 years or they may not.They can send you to outpatient therapy or inpatient based on what your evaluator found. They may not require any therapy at all.They can tell you that you are not allowed to work in an ICU/ER.No multiple jobs, PRN or agency assignments.No overtime and no floating to different floors without permission of your IPN case worker.You are to call mon-fri a number they provide for your color which you will be assigned.When your color comes up you are to go to your nearest Lab Corp and give a urine specimen. You will have to attend a nurse support group once a week and attend 3 meetings a week of NA/AA. It sounds overwhelming but it really isn't. Once you accept the reality of the situation, it is very manageable.It becomes routine and they really don't mess with you too much if you are doing what you are supposed to.You will just have to do your time and it will all be over someday:) ALL THINGS COME TO AN END Good Luck and hang in there

5 years is fantsastic and you are very blessed. I have heard alot of slogans that were never in the Big Book of AA. Meeting makers make it!! was never in the first or any other edition of the Big Book of AA. Meetings are an important part of recovery because they nurture fellowship and reinforce the message of recovery. They are more important for the newcomer.Anyone who has some sobriety has a responsibility to attend to assist the newcomer in recieving the correct message of recovery.I think that ones recovery is based entirely on their relationship with their higher power and the thoroughness in which they worked the 12steps.Are you engaging in hurtful, dishonest and manipulative behaviors? I would be more concerned that if I did my 11th step prayer and found that I could answer yes to one or more of those charecter defects on a regular basis.Are you giving thanks for everyday and everyone in your life. Are you talking to someone in recovery on a regular basis? Reading some AA lit? Going to meetings when you can? Or are you being overly critcal of yourself? I bet your doing better than you think you are? Meetings are only a part of you recovery? Remember where you came from:eek: Give thanks and inspire others with the miracle that you are! TRUDGE THE ROAD TO HAPPY DESTINY:D

Im coming into the nursing profession with 4 years of recovery. The florida board of nursing is still making me jump through he hoops.I was evalauted by an IPN approved addiction medicine doctor. He asked me seveveral in depth questions. I answered over 800 computerized questions that ranged from sensible to ridiculious. I had hair and urine samples taken. I am still going to be on an IPN contract that most likely will reqiure random UA's and wekly nurse support meetings. This is with four years of documented sobriety!!!!!. They will not allow me to be anytype of nurse untill all parties involved communicate with each other(BON,Evaulator,IPN) Regardless of whether I pass NCLEX or not. I never diverted drugs or worked under the influence. We will always be looked at with some degree of suspicion but we cant afford to look at the world with suspicious eyes.The housecleaning is ours and our alone.It may take 4 years to repair only 1 year of damage. Its not awlays fair but its just that way. We sleep good at night knowing we are on a path to better places using better principles.Self pity is extremely intoxicating but all things can be overcome.

Tell the truth!!

I think that forming a nurses group is an excellent idea. I was wondering if you had a sponsor? I have found that it has been a tremendous resource for me.A sponsor or (trusted friend) is somebody we can go to with all our deepest secrets in the process of doing a 5th step and later doing the maintenence steps (10,11,12). The best thing to share about in meetings is your experience with the 12 steps of recovery. It is not how many pills you took or what medications you withheld. We need to be thorough with our fifith step because "we cant make mortar without sand" but we should be thorough with our sponsor; the one who should know us best. I found that most people in recovery who share extremely personal things in the rooms are people who dont have a sponsor. Having a close friend or sponsor is such a wonderful privilage. Nobody knows an alcoholic/addict like what? another alcoholic/addict The best thing about recovery is being happy about it? Good luck in rediscovering your recovery and losing your abstinance.

Its crazy how things work out.It is so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when things are starting to go bad. You are fortunate it ended when it did.Everyone has to hit a bottom. I wasnt a nurse yet when I hit my bottom but I was a paramedic with a promising career in the fire dept. I lost my job for not showing up to work, my relationship of 4 years ended with her placing a restraining order on me, and I got charged with 2 misdmemeanors and a felony within 6 months. I never thought I would see the light of day again. The worst part of it was that I knew that I was rsponsible. I was so angry at myself and pondered suicide. I found the rooms of recovery and I thought it was all a bunch of BS.Im not like these losers, these street bums. The people welcomed me with open arms and passed no judgement. I slowly began to accept the 12 steps as a way of life. Today I cannot imagine my life without recovery and I celebrate 4 years this month. Most of the things i thought I would never get through have come to pass. I have had to face all kinds of obstacles to even be approved to take my NCLEX but I have been approved. It will all work out shoud you want recovery above all things. Your story will inspire others to seek recovery and fro that you should be commended. If no one told you they loved you today... I do!!:redbeathe Good luck:D

nursing boards will usually work with you! you'd be surprised

Most people who come to the attention of their states BON most likely have a problem. I would justify my drinking as partying! everybody parties.I would have to take several different pills just to calm down enough to make it into work the next morning. It all started out with 1 DUI. The truth will set you free. If you have a problem or if you dont have a problem the truth always comes out.(eventually) I believe it is possible for someone to be falsely accused or have a false positive drug screen. I just dont think that happens often. Self preservation always kicks in and we start denying and rationilizing. victory in the surrender good luck

I will be sober 4 years next month. I also have a crmininal history that I accumulated during the course of my drinking. I had to tell alot of people that maybe I didnt want to tell. I needed a letter from my program director to the board of nursing, reccomendations from faculty and all prospective employers had to know. I share your enthuisam for the 12 steps of recovery. The benifit of working the steps is a complete change in outlook and attitude.I realized that I wasnt a victim of my circumstances but accountable for my actions and responsible to be an example of solid recovery. I didnt have to lie to anyone and say that I was doing anything that I wasnt. All my friends in nursing school eventually found out and all of them were non- judgmental.You would be surprised how many people have had had some involvment with alcoholism/drug addiction in their associations in one way or another.Disclosure is very situational and you will make the right decision. Addiction is no longer moral corruption but simply a physical/mental disease which is treatable. Good luck and be proud you are blessed:D

Good luck! Remeber that no one has abandoned their family, been to jail,or wrapped their car around a tree because of an extra piece of birthday cake:D Recovery gives us a whole new set of welcome worries! I overate at dinner and was grateful that I could be a pig with the peolple that I love LOL God bless you

One of the geatest things about recovery is their really isnt any social order. A drunk doctor is no diffrent then a drunk off the street. We all share a common problem with a common solution. I would think its natural to feel mildly uncomfortable around a patient. I dont think that should be used as an excuse to avoid recovery meetings. Everyday you have a chance to exemplify the 12 steps of recovery. An example of how a thorough program can transform a life all the better. Live in humility and gratitude you are blessed:coollook:

I just recently went before the Florida board of nursing and they approved me to take my exam. The only condition being that I undergoe an evaluation by IPN. I have been sober for 4 years next month. I attend AA meetings 3-4 days a week. I have an AA sponsor and I sponsor others. THe 12 steps of recovery have transformed my life. I am still somewhat nervous about the evaluation. I realize I have no choice but to accept their findings. The thought of having to sign a contract isnt to appealing.I would think that anyone in recovery knows about the obstacles we face to repair the damage of our past. Stay sober anyway:D Has anyone had an evaluation with 4 years or over of Honest sobriety. How long does it take for the BON to send you an ATT after they approve you Thanks