33LarryB

To all of those posting replies to my query -- thank you. Please don't take what I HAVEN'T said in my post as somehow an indication of my denial. It's just that being new here I wanted to be judicious with my words. I was merely looking for some shared experiences that may be of some help to this addict in my long road back. As many of you have acknowledged, in spite of our various addictions and transgressions, the Boards of Nursing professing a need to "protect the public" seem anything but empathetic to us as individuals. Since December of last year nary a pill or cocktail has crossed my lips. Believe me, this is no minor detail. Having used drugs of various forms for virtually my entire adult life the miracle for today -- and the prior eight months -- is that I AM SOBER. With that said, I only hope and prey that I won't now be crucified by people who could care less about the specifics of my case or my recovery -- only that I am "punished." And given the lengthy times it often takes for BONS to take action, I am hardly optimistic on this front. Does anyone know whether BONS are apt to try contacting us by phone if they can't by certified mail? As I said, although I recently changed my address with the state board in question, my concern is that if they were unable to contact me they would revoke me in abstention. Thanks.

I would truly appreciate some input on this guys and girls. In December of last year I got a call from the travel agency I was working for as an RN telling me not to return to work pending the results of an investigation for narcotics diversion. A week later it was official: I was fired, and told that both the hospital AND agency were obligated to report me to the BON. I thanked her for her professionalism in the matter but confessed to NOTHING. Within three days of my initial notification I had moved out of my tiny apartment -- and out of state to spend some time with a concerned friend who offered me a safe haven from what looked like certain death. I immediately began attending NA/AA meetings and some serious soul searching. I even managed to get unemployment. It didn't occur to me until last week however that I needed to change my address with the state in question, so I did. After eight (sober) months my license remains active and intact, and I haven't heard a thing -- from ANYONE. And, after waiting for two months I was finally granted a license in another state. My plan is to begin working again next month. I figured that if it all comes crashing down on me I will have the option of relinquishing my license in the new state -- and if it doesn't, I can at least begin to earn some much needed money while continuing to work on my recovery. Does anyone have any sense of why I might not have been notified and my license remains active? Am I merely kidding myself to somehow think this might all just magically disappear? A terrible economy, the prolonged uncertainty of this, and the hesitancy to remain hopeful and optimistic has made this a truly difficult ordeal. I would love some feedback. Thanks.