Code55

New to travel or agency nursing. Contact offer: $32/hr + $1400 housing. Area is in the State of Washington, my back yard. Perhaps, I can bleed them out a little more? or "I can also pay you $24/hr with an additional $245/week tax free (that will increase your take home pay since federal taxes won't come out.)." I assume, housing subsidies are tax free, which mean the higher housing and less rate per hr would be more tax free money? If have have this correct, the 2nd scenario would mean, $245(4) + $1400= 2380 + $24/hr. If I was working a 36/hr week, that would mean the hourly pay rate would be 42.93. Taxes would be based upon making $24/hr only. I suspect, negotiating for a lower hourly pay rate is more favorably as long as housing is being made up at the other end. For all you experienced travel nurses, what are your thoughts about this offer? All this can get a little convoluted for a newbie...

Hey Catmom, I'm sorry to hear of your dilemma. Some of these monitoring programs place you in the "damned if you do and damned if you don't" position. My state is one of those too. We can argue all the inequities among programs of States, individual monitoring managers and individuals but we are stuck where we are at. Believe me I have see all sorts of inequities but try and not concern myself with it as much as I previously have. I am very fortunate to have six months left in my state's monitoring, sober and fairly happy today, yet my nursing career is not what it once was. I am very thankful to be employed as a nurse today but I wouldn't characterize my job any where close to the position I had prior to monitoring. It was very difficult finding a job but I had to take my current position to accumulate hours toward my license and my monitoring program. One of the most important things I have learned in recovery is "acceptance." This means I don't have to agree with it or like it. It just means "that's the way it is and perhaps God has intended it to be like that." Pg 417 BB. Catmom, my hat is off to you for more than 5 years of sobriety and recovery? That is huge! You have completed a major mile stone in recovery and it has to mean A LOT! Yes, yes are financial situation mean a lot to us as well. I don't know where you live or what the demand of nurses are in your area but I think its difficult for many all over the country right now; nursing or not. When you have had job interviews, how have they've gone. Did you and are you required to disclose your situation in the initial interview? This is one area I have to learn the hard way. These days I never disclose my addiction and monitoring situation until a job offer is made and am not required to do so. Most folks do understand people like us, don't get it and really don't care to get it so I need to protect myself as long as I can until I'm required to do so. Most employers will have a harder time backing out after the job offer is made. Moreover, you will really know what they think about folks like us. Regroup, refocus, pray, go to meeting and keep talking to other nurses in recovery out there. Please, please, don't beat yourself up too hard. Oh, how I like to engage in self pity and mental masturbation too. My prayers are with you Catmom.

Oh, I forgot to mention, the ultimate test method would be to individually straight cath us followed by a good dose of UTIs! &^*#)$)# #$%$#! Enhanced screening methods for all of them....everyday!!!

What's next? In a case as a male they would just "hold it" to the cup? Females they would get on their knees and hold the cup in the toilet. It's interesting everyone is screaming about these new airport screening rules which I don't think is appropriate either. Those of us in this special club can either throw the towel in or suck it up even though we think some these requirements are crap! I intend to finish this program and look back and think "what a nightmare." All my gratitude goes to God and A.A. for giving me my life back; not the BON.

Great discussion point! During treatment I agree that I was an addict, no question, but could I also be a alcoholic? I pondered that a few day and came to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter because they are all really mood altering substances. Booze or drugs to your pick. Some drug addicts became resentful about their BON's because they can no longer drink alcohol as part of their contract. Well, one does not have to think to much because alcohol is just as much of a mood altering substance as prescription or street drugs. This same theory is extended to the alcoholic that thinks they won't have a problem with pharmaceutical drugs ie opioids, benzos. They too need to be cautioned when being prescribed these drugs. I am glad you made the leap and looked outside the clinic criteria box and have the understanding about its really all the same thing. It just another chemical that can lead to destruction for folks like us. I too am a proud AA goer even though my drug of choice is opioids. At those meeting I recognize my self as an alcoholic.

Let me jump into the mix. My state changed the monitoring agency which has reflected tighter monitoring requirements, including observed urines. After 3 years or more non observed urines, I had my first observed donation the other day and I got to tell you it took for me forever to relax my sphincter enough to pee and I don't have a prostate problem! Yes, I'm a guy. I felt embarrassed and frustrated that I could not provide 60cc for over an hour. It was my own anxiety that cause the problem, not the system or the tech observing me. He told me most people have this problem the first couple of times. It's simply something I need to get used to! So, how does it feel to be the patient? This is not about the BON, nursing, contract requirements or my peers. Its about me and my ability to meet my obligations. I signed up for this club, so I get all the fringe benefits involved and that includes observed urines!

The rule of thumb with a situation like yours is seek out an attorney. It might save you a lot of trouble and will be well worth it. Don't go into this alone without legal advise. Please do not say anything to anyone until you talk to an attorney. Let them talk to your attorney. You might have to take sometime off of work under the medical leave act. Don't provide any urine until you talk to an attorney. They have no right to fire you unless you already provided a + urine. You indicated you might have a problem with cannabis. I would get an assessment by a treatment center to help you determine if you have a problem then follow their recommendations. Let us know how things are going...

Jack is right! Unfortunately before I self reported to the board, I had only one nurse (in recovery and on BON monitoring) who was advising me to tell them everything (in an effort to "clear my conscious") but with much hesitation, I complied. It's interesting, how there are many views regarding initially dealing with BONs. Today, I have a much better insight about BONs because of what some of you have taught me! I find it very fascinating the vast differences in each State's BON. I can honestly say I have been very lucky with my state requirements compared to some of the other requirements I read on this board. Sometimes in life we don't cross that bridge until we come to it. All of us fortunately never planned our addiction and have no clue what we are facing. If I could have a re-do, I would do somethings differently with dealing with my BON. I was sucking bubbles at the that time and my head was squarely up my #$%! What's done is done now. Most new nurses that come to us are in the same situation as I was and they are either in the process of board investigation or have already completed it. They are already at the boards mercy like the rest of us. Its usually too late for legal assistance to have much impact and have already spilled their guts. I left inpatient treatment AMA after completing 30 days because they wanted me to self report to the BON. At that time, I was not ready and waited another month. Unfortunately, I still did not have my S#$% together. My sponsor then and now would have advised me differently. Hey, just maybe, that's the way it was supposed to be anyway? Bottom line: I am much better off today than I have ever been, hands down! Sure, my nursing career is not where it once was, but that's only one part of my life today. Too bad we can't get to these nurses before or during their involvement with BONs. Man, how that would have benefited me. I can only think of two nurses prior to my mishap that were in recovery and monitored over my 10+ years in nursing. I am sure there were more that I was not aware of.

It's interesting that most employers or managers still believe the line, "once a drug addict, always a drug (active) addict." I sure they treat their addicted patient's the say way while seemingly showing compassion? What's happening with our nursing education? Societal stigma continues to overlap in the profession.

My name is Glenn from Oregon. Sobriety date: Apr. 13, 2007. Self referred to treatment and BON with a 5 year monitoring program. License was always unencumbered. Fired from a 7 year RN position after reporting my actions with employer. Subsequently, unemployed for 2.5 years. First year developing a solid recovery program and the remaining looking for RN employment while working occasional construction jobs. Currently employed as outpatient psych RN for 8 months. Good idea Michelle. It gives you an idea where folks are from and a "nutshell" where their career stands. Just remember, every state is different regardless of the particular circumstances. Potential employers are another matter.

The moment you take the gun away and leave my sight, I will down all the remaining booze and slam drugs into my veins! The question is how long to you plan on holding the gun to my kids head? At some point you will get tired of playing this game. Sure, I have an immediate choice but a real drunk or druggie will ultimately return to using until a solution is found or death will in sue. In my case its a spiritual solution NOT a religious solution. Go search the definition of a religion. I respect what ever works for you but are you truly happy, joyous and free? Thanks BlueSkiesForever, just keep coming back!

Did I understand correctly? You missed a call-in without being called to test? If the missed call included being called to test, I could see where major consequences can happen. Missed called are another thing. Sounds like you are in one of those States where they crack the whip if you stray. Sorry to here that. I bet you won't miss another call-in for a long, long time if ever again. It's a hard lesson but that's just the way it is in your State. I think over the past 3 or so years I been in this special monitoring club, I've missed roughly a dozen or so missed calls over that time. None of them were days I was called to "provide." I'm very fortunate nothing ever came of these missed calls. With over 3 years now, I probably test about every 2 months. My State recently privatized our monitoring from in house BON monitoring to a private contract with a monitoring agency called Relient Behavioral Health. I had a great relationship with my monitoring coordinator at the BON and things were great. I'm a little concerned that with all these changes forthcoming, and with some negative experiences folks report here about their monitoring person, it might not be as good. I am afraid that things are going to change with added requirements. This is where my military background benefits me because I look at this monitoring stuff like the military. They OWN you! You have no choice except to make the best of it or life can be real miserable. Right or wrong, I suck it up and do it! In the big scheme of things, this is really minor. The real test comes after 5 years where I have no "Big Brother" looking over my shoulder. Monitoring gives me 5 years to really get this recovery thing programed in my drug brain. Sustained recovery comes before anything in life, even before my marriage, family and nursing license.

Hey get this, I interviewed at inpatient chemical dependency treatment facility within a major hospital and was declined the position. My background is mental health and now with over 3 years in recovery. I asked the interviewing panel if they had any issues with my monitoring and one of them stated, "now if I did, I would be a hypocrite wouldn't I?" One would think, working in Chemical Dependency with a mental health background would be a perfect fit, but apparently they didn't think so. I felt and they appeared to be very comfortable with me and thought for sure they were going to offer me the job. Not the case. I bet it was some "suit" that made the decision and not nursing management. It frustrating and discouraging at times. The search goes on...

12-Step programs are not religion based. It is simply a program based upon spiritually and any higher power greater than yourself. Religion is something very specific to a culture or people and has a belief system very specific to them. A 12-Step program does not and that is why it is so successful and attracts millions of people around the world.

Glad you posted your concerns and questions. It sounds like the BON is requiring 12-step meeting attendance? Will they approve other support groups? I would suspect they just want you attending some recovering support group? I can't imagine they are only requiring 12-step meetings. The key is you need to find a program that works for you. This idea in a 12-step program, like the others indicated, it's about a "Power Greater than Yourself." That it! Call it what you want! We Drug Heads and Drunks need "Some Thing" other than ourselves because we lack the "power" or "will" to maintain long standing sobriety on our own. We've all tried it and it doesn't work! We need help from something or someone else. This issue is the most difficult problem most people face when they come into any 12-Step program. The beauty is they don't force anything, any "Power", or any "god" on anybody, or if they do, they are dead wrong! Besides the spiritual component of the 12-Step program, I get to listen and converse with folks that suffer from the same illness as me. You being a nurse should be able to relate to that. It's an illness and I need to be around others like me, "They understand me and I understand them." Most folks that don't have this disease don't get it, can't relate, and don't have too. We are in a special club! This is one of the reasons why "We Nurses" have this board to help one another. We have much in common, but our disease is a much greater bond. I wish you well and encourage you to consider what other nurses say with regard to their individual situations and the changes that have taken place in their lives. This board has provided me with much education, advise, strength and encouragement, knowing that I'm not the only one out there struggling with these same issues in nursing. I certainly don't get that from my regular 12-Step meetings. If you haven't already done so, try to find a special meeting only involving health care professionals in your area. I attend what is called a "Caduceus" Meetings of health care professionals in recovery. They are also closed "Nurses Only" meetings. You might want to ask your BON or diversion entity if one is in your area.