mona1023

Congratulations to you for all your success! Thank you for posting such an inspiring story. I, too, have completed my contract and have over 3 1/2 years of sobriety. I am so thankful for the many blessings I have and pray for people still suffering in active addiction. Good luck with your new job.

What about in some type of Pharmaceutical company in research or sales?

Thank you for sharing your story. It gives everyone on this forum hope and encouragement. Congratulations!

Maybe what happened was that the prospective employer asked about that directly when the caseworker spoke with him/her. You certainly can't expect the caseworker to lie about it. I know it is very, very difficult to disclose that. I diverted also, and that was the FIRST question I was asked at one of my interviews. But, we really can't blame any employer from wanting to know can we? The purpose of disclosure and monitoring is to protect the patients from unsafe nursing practice. Whether we, as addicts, ever get to work again is irrelevant to Boards of Nursing, Monitoring Programs and the Attorney General. I do wish you the best of luck with your job search. I am not trying to sound harsh, but you will not achieve any serenity unless you accept the reality of what it really means to be a recovering addict and nurse.

I would think that surrenduring your licenses looks like you are not willing to be compliant with monitoring in those states. Can you just not renew those licenses when they are up for renewal? I don't have personal experience with this, but these are just my thoughts. Best of luck to you.

Beware that your BON may be reluctant to let you end the consent agreement early since you are an advanced practice nurse, presumably with prescriptive authority. Best of luck to you.

I agree with CatMom. Please think carefully before giving up a professional license. It may be very, very difficult to ever work in a professional capacity again or in any helping field if you have surrendered a license. I am not trying to discourage you, but it may create more barriers for you in the long run. Best of luck whatever you decide.

Only an attorney experienced with dealing with the BON in your state would be able to answer your questions regarding license reinstatement. Are you in a monitoring program? If so, the staff there should be able to provide some guidance. If not, I would suggest documenting your efforts in recovery like meeting attendance, etc. I hope your ex will honor his financial obligations with your children because it will undoubtedly be a long road ahead. Congratulations on your sobriety and take it one day at a time.

In my state, the Board Orders are very detailed, including all psychiatric diagnoses (all substance abuse/dependence diagnoses are psychiatric disorders) and a thorough listing of any problems that nurse has ever had while employed in nursing.I have seen things listed that are 15years old. There is no statue of limitations. So everything about a person's life, with name and full address is available for anyone to view forevor. To the OP, no one can truly understand how traumatic that is unless it is their life exposed on the internet. The good news is this experience can help you get stronger. My feelings of powerlessness were overwhelming when my Board order came out, but this greatly improved my relationship with God, as I looked to him to help me through my feelings. That pain has also reminded me why I never want to return to active addiction again. Best wishes to you.

I must admit I never understand why people post on here about our "protection" under the American Disabilities Act. This forum alone is FULL of posts from recovering nurses who are denied employment all the time or are terminated from their jobs because of active addiction/alcoholism. Legistlation and policy is only effective if it can be enforced and I have never heard of a case where someone sucessfully challenged a potential employer and "won".

Hire an attorney experienced in dealing with Boards of Nursing if you can. An attorney will work to see your rights are protected. Remember, the BON does not care about your disease, depression or your social situation. Their purpose is to protect the public and discipline nurses who violate the Nurse Practice Act. I hope you feel better soon. Keep us posted.

Does The Florida BON run background checks for license renewals? In my state they do, so anyone who hasn't reported a DUI or any other criminal charge gets found out anyway. I hope Southernpoint is correct about IPN involvement and compliance with monitoring not impacting your license. In my state, the BON puts anyone who is on criminal probation-like for a DUI on licensure probation as well. Many, many more nurses are being placed on probation in my state regardless of compliance with monitoring. Best Wishes to you.

Congratulations on your recovery! I admire your courage, persistence and willingness to share your story. You shared that you are working 2 jobs, have children at home and are actively working a recovery program. Not to mention trying to get your license back. It is no wonder you are feeling overwhelmed. My advice is to cultivate a strong support system and a relationship with a Higher Power on a daily basis. Try to take pride in knowing you are clean and sober, working to care for your family and meet your financial obligations. Your self worth is NOT based on holding a nursing license or making payments on time. You are doing the best you can. I wish you the best.

I know in Indiana nurses are asked very specific questions regarding criminal activity on license renewal applications. One of the questions is worded in such a way that it asks about whether you have been charged with any crime (not just convicted-even if the charges are dropped you have to report it). Dropping out of the Monitoring Program is labeled noncompliance-no matter what the reason unfortunately. If your license is supended, my suggestion is follow your Board agreement to the letter that will outline how long you will be suspended for and how long you will have to maintain full, complete compliance with monitoring before you can petition for reinstatement. Yes, that will mean re-enrolling in the monitoring program and your monitoring agreement may be longer this time. If you have a license on probation, same thing-follow the Board Orders and your RMA to the letter. Hopefully, as everyone has suggested, you could also retain an attorney to assist you with this. I am sorry you are going through this and I wish you the best.

I would follow your attorney's directions exactly if he/she has experience with administrative law and Nursing Boards. Begin gathering documentation to prove your efforts at recovery. If your license is reinstated, you will most likely have to participate in your state's monitoring program which can be costly with the expense of random drug testing, assessments, etc. Just something to consider. Congratulations on your recovery and best of luck to you!