Chocobo21

My goodness gracious! I am so humbled with the amount of insight and responses you all have given me. Thank you so much! I barely post anything on here, just read mostly but I am humbled with the support and stories you are giving me pertaining to your own experiences. This truly helps! Great point to bring up about the restrictions with narcotics and my offense the board offers versus what your psychiatrist offers when filling the evaluation too. For some reason I didn't think of that until now. So, when I do bring up the restrictions, I may anticipate narcotic restrictions, hours worked not going into overtime, drug testing, and no charge position (for x amount of years). I already know I will be getting drug tested regardless (I already do), but does the employer pay that money or a part of it or is it completely separate, my dime, and confidential? Also, is it bad that I am so paranoid to bring up what state I am from for fear and concern that they may identify me from my post? (Not that I'm saying anything bad, I know, i'm super paranoid). When I am a tad more comfortable with the paperwork being completed from the board I will share the state I am from, and I hope you aren't offended by me doing that who asked. I would like to share too that I applied to a HIV clinic in a busy metropolitan area and I am in the second phase of meeting that manger as well as the manger for the dialysis clinic. Would anyone know if HIV clinics are recovery friendly? I can't seem to find any information in the forums pertaining to that specialty; Rehab clinics as I understand are friendly to work at. I am intrigued by your stories of when you brought it up during the interview. Was it initially, in the middle of a certain phrase that queue'd you to bring it up, or the end when they ask "Do you have any questions for me?". What I understand thus far when speaking to my employer about it is say something as is followed " I would like to address a small potential issue if given the opportunity to work at your clinic", " Last Fall, some serious life changes occurred in my life which challenged my coping ability at the time" "As such, with the respect, standards, and responsibility to my profession, I reported to the Board". "They have been very understanding, this was not a diversion issue or concern." "I am waiting to receive the stipulations they may put on me as a result of my choices at the time, but I am not concerned that this will affect my ability to work for you." "I am blah (good things about me),as a nurse this has (good things I've gained to be better RN), and as such (how I can be a great asset to you in this setting)". "Do you have any questions about this?"...... But what if she asks what my offense was? I've been asked that before and the employer took all my hours away and won't allow me to work but won't fire me either. What would you say if you were in my shoes? Should I bring up a question and ask if they are recovery friendly to nurses and then lead into this? Thank you so much for all your insight ladies and gents. If anyone else would like to share their story, I would love to read it and learn more on how you approach it.

Thank you Big Blondie and DirtyHippie for your responses! I am very appreciative for giving me your insight (and still accepting more!) on how to handle the situation. As you brought up Blondie, I am not quite sure what stipulations I may once I sign the agreement. My rehab had to fill out paperwork to the state and made their suggestions based on the five months I have been in rehab on what they think should be my stipulations. It included no more than 40hrs of work a week, No supervisor/charge position, and that I must work under the supervision of another RN. There were other options to the checklist, including the ability to be unable to use narcotics, but they weren't checked off. Everything they did wrote was very positive. However, when I talked to my nurse, who drug tests me and talks with me about advice on work, she said that the board has their own team who decides ultimately what my restrictions will be, not what they (rehab center) suggests. Do you ladies (or gentlemen), as well as others who are reading this, know if what my nurse said was completely accurate or not? My biggest concern with bringing it up front during the interview is that because I do not know what the stipulations are, it does not allow the potential employer to truly make a sound and rational decision. I have tried to be patient and have stayed out of nursing since I began Rehab pending what the Board will ultimately choose to do. But, I also cannot financially continue to work with 9$ an hour as I will inevitably end up living on the street or ghetto. So, if what is going around is true that dialysis companies are forgiving and recovery friendly to work at. And, by releasing that information late in my employment once I know the facts of what the board will do (if I get the job), shouldn't they be understanding? Rather than informing them a statement that leaves them in limbo, and me without a job? I'm so torn and frustrated, and really am confused. My lawyers say not to release any information to the potential employer because we ultimately don't know the decision. But, I'm scared that they will fire me on the spot as if I was attempting to hide it if I'm hit with stipulations (and I'm assuming I will be based on my drug of choice). If anyone can share experiences similar to what I'm discussing and trying to portray about my situation too, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you.

Hello my fellow nurse recovery community, I am going to try and keep this short and to the point. Last Fall I reported to the Board that I had a heroin addiction. Had my board hearing with my lawyer and they informed me that I may receive possibly 3years in their recovery system. I am still in Rehab by my choice, in a excellent recovery center being drug tested random and scheduled while seeing a certified drug psychiatrist and counselor. Clean for over 9 months. Attend NA meetings. Still awaiting my stipulations from the board. I have an interview in a few days and I am not sure what to tell my potential employer (dialysis position) or if I should even bring it up during the interview or not since I am still waiting to hear from the board what their decision is (it's been over 2 months since the hearing). What do you recommend in your experience? Thank you for your time and wisdom you can share.