spicy1RN

Hi, I understand what you are going through. I had sudden acute loss of hearing over a 2 week period 3 years ago. Within the course of 48 hours I went from having 50% hearing loss to totally deaf in both ears. It was a neuro-sensory hearing loss caused by a viral illness. Having been a nurse for over 20 years, I didn't know what I would do. Fortunately, I was immediatly referred to a wonderful EENT who is a surgeon that performs cochlear implants. I had bilateral cochlear implants within 2 months, and now, almost 3 years out can hear almost normally. I have struggles in loud, noisy areas, and if multiple people are talking at once it is challenging. I still work as a nurse. I do not work in a bedside patient care setting, and did not before I lost my hearing. I do have a colleague who is a bedside RN, with bilateral complete hearing loss, who also had cochlear implants. She has a special stethescope for use with the implants. This is a protected ADA disability, however, if you are unable to safely assess patients, they do not have to keep you in a clinical position. I know from my expereince that employers are required to make "reasonable accomadation when requested". What is reasonable is something only you and your employer can decide. Don't give up, there is hope. Having the implants was the best decision. Sitting in total silence for over 2 months was one of the hardest things I have ever gone through. Best of luck to you! Spicy1

I would suggest that you do not talk to the BON without consulting an attorney who has experience with licensure issues. You have the right to have an attorney present. No matter how nice the BON may appear, they are not on your side. Search this forum for posts by jackstem, as there are links to information about nurse attorneys. Having an evaluation for addiction is a great step, that will be something that will be asked for by the board. First steps first, take a deep breath, and know that you will get through this. The best advice I was given was to get an attorney. It is worth the money to have his expereince, and because of his knowledge my outcome was much different than what the BON originally wanted to give me. Good luck.

I live in IL and am an RN in recovery. IL has a program, the Illinois Professionals Health Program, that will help your son. He should call them ASAP, and have an evaluation. They will then work with him, and help him do what he can to save his license. They are not the BON, but an advocate for health professionals, they manage treatement refererrals, referrals to aftercare professional groups, as well as random urine tests.Being fired means his employer may be reporting him to the board of nursing, so be prepared for that. The best thing I ever did for myself was to ask for help, I have now been in recovery for a little over 2 years, and in 2 more years I will finish my monitoring agreement and have an unrestricted license. IL BON will work with him, but it will be easier if he seeks treatment on his own, rather than being forced into it. Prescription drug addiction is a horrible disease, but there is hope. I am proof of that. Take care