lorettat24

Thank you for this article. I also want to respoind to 5yearsdissapointed and unforgetable2667. I am recently unemployed from a job I was in love with, thinking I was doing a great job. Nasty coworkers and HR that , well what ever they do can really play havic with you work skills, self esteem, and lives. Mix this with lay offs and having extra work added to your already filled plate can be a deadly combination. This is where I am at now, unemployed, depressed, no hope, and ready to give up. I have isolated myself, and at times I feel there is no way out. I do go to therapy, it helps. I too spoke to coworkers , only to have it totally taken out of context and repeated to the wrong people. I am going to try your suggestions.

I am so happy for you. Life is so much bettert clean and sober. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you perserverance nurse. I am finished with ramp , also did physicians peer review for 1 year first. My clean date is 5/25/1999. I lost my last job in april due to downsizing. The last 3 jobs I had I was lucky all 3 interviewing RN's had either a daughter, brother or sister in recovery. The first 2 I did not have my license, but was hired as a manager who had medical knowledge. i have been looking since April, no luck. Took a refresher at Rutgers, all 20 students were offered jobs, some have not been employed for 20+years. So do you think it is my background? Yesterday I was on line and saw something that made me cringe, there were several jobs posted stating criminal background must be clean. Well I just stay close to recovering people, pray and am greatful. I have applied to NY and am waiting so I could apply there. Since I have 12 years sobriety I have to be evaluated before starting work. I know someone who was addicted, in jail, many years ago and had no problem getting hired in a hospital. Keep the faith. Lorettat24

Wow, what is really sad is nurses who have no concept that addiction is a disease. I am that recovering nurse(without a job) and I did all of those shocking things to get drugs that you write about. Do you think that is what I wanted for my life career, to be a drug addicted nurse ? No way! I have 12 years clean and would not put myself through the pain, humiliation, fear, and depression that goes hand and hand with diverting. I remember getting caught and being told by the nursing administrator that I was a piece of crap. I was so devistated I was told to leave through the basement exit. I went through treatment, have been urine tested for 12 years ( they all have been clean) attend 12 step program, took a refresher course and guess what, I can't get a job. I get calls they love my resume but as soon as they see that word diversion on the application they begin to stutter, and umm well oh, maybe something will come up and we will call you. Do you think they will? I worked hard to become a nurse and even while I was in the process of recovering I worked in some form of healthcare position to keep my mind going. The positions I have applied for are NOT on patient units that are drug accessable, Admissions, dialysis, insurance RN , to name a few. I would love to be back in practice, but it is not the end of my life. You see my life started in recovery. Today I am beautiful and happy. I am a mom a wife, daughter, sister and friend. If your diabetic patient was caught sitting in a mound of candy wrappers what would you do, write them off? If you have a chance pick up some literature about addiction, I know in school we did not have much on this topic. If you suspect someone, tell someone, you could save their life, and maybe have a chance to get to know them when they are in recovery. We are amazing people with stories that would blow you away. One last thing, God has not written me off yet, think about it.............