mattheha

I need some advice/info. I'm looking for gut level honesty, not pep talks or what would Florence do. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but I'm 40 yrs old and need to figure out what i need to do. Long story short, I entered the KARE program, Kentucky's voluntary monitering program in Jan of this year. I have been sober for 9 months. I missed two drug tests d/t finances in the last 3 months and now am being terminated from the program and suspended for 2 years. My question is this. Is there realistic hope to get a job once I get my licensce back? I have only had 2 jobs, both in level one trauma ER's. First for 5 years, terminated for attendance (indirectly r/t addiction). Another for 1 year, terminated for diversion. So not only is my track record horrible, but once I do get reinstated I will have a narcotic restriction for the first year. I love nursing; I am also an excellent nurse. I have many great MD and RN references. I just dont want to invest my emotional energy and time into a pipe dream if there is a next to nothing chance of ever returning to work. Thank you for your advice/comments/stories etc....

I am interested in pursuing a nurse practitioner degree. I have been an ER nurse for 6 years in Louisville Ky. any suggestions on the matter? Obviously I want to get it as quickly as possible. Online or an online/campus combo is preferable. Would I need to do a rn-bsn program first, or is it possible to do a rn-msn program? interested in family nurse practitioner or something similiar. thanks for the help