Sivraj

Nope! After I checked off the boxes stating that I’d been in an alternative program, they sent me an email asking for supporting documents. The only snafu was some of my documents didn’t have signatures. But all I had to submit was a letter of completion from my contact at the Board. After that I received the license within a week. Overall the process took about 8 weeks including the delays.

Still shocks me how dismissive and rude people representing the Board can be to nurses in recovery, like we’re some kind of rabid animal. My position is, if you have some axe to grind against addicts and alcoholics, and you think we’re immoral, maybe this isn’t the right job for you.

I think it will be okay. My contact at my home state reassured me she would provide anything I needed and put in a supportive word for me. Thanks for your reply!

Hello and thanks for your post. It resonated with me because I was fortunate to have a fantastic team on my first nursing job, too. After 2 years I left for the ED which had a very different and oftentimes difficult culture. Eventually, I settled in but it took time and I learned that, despite the many opportunities for learning, I really didn’t like the ED. Think of it: nobody is happy to be there. So, I moved on to other things, some were good, others not so much. The truth is I’ll always miss my first team and I wish I could’ve figured out how to be happy there. The work was kinda boring but the people were great and, to this day, I’ve never found a team that compares. So my advice is, seriously try to figure out what you don’t like and come up with some strategies that may help lessen the blow. Share your concerns with a coworker or two because they may have some great advice. At the very least, it will help to talk about it. If it’s time to move on, then give yourself permission to do so. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Hey there! Thanks for your reply and advice. So here’s where I am today. I asked my contact at the Board in my home state about this and she wasn’t sure so she asked one of the compliance officers (lawyer) from the Board who replied I absolutely had to disclose despite the fact that it’s confidential from the public. Not disclosing it could get me in hot water. I think it’s BS that they even ask this question and it looks like a way for them to get around the confidentiality of the Agreement. I mean, who’s going to challenge them, right? Next, I found out who the Alternative to Discipline contact is in the “new” state and emailed her. (I know this seems dicey but I have nothing to hide and am not about to start shelling out money just to get a question answered.) She asked me what my current state is and I told her and am now waiting her reply. My guess is she’s looking into the whole “Compact State” thing. I don’t live in a compact state so we’ll see how that affects things, if at all. I completed my fulfillment here in my home state without any incidents. I’m not a criminal. And I don’t have to move there if I don’t want to. Hey, congratulations on finishing your contract! It’s SUCH a serious weight taken off your shoulders. I wish you the best and please let me know what you find out if you’re planning to relocate as well.

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, the Alternative to Discipline program is board ordered. It’s a tricky thing. It’s confidential in the sense that it’s not shared with the public but it’s not so clear when it comes to other government agencies. I’ll share what has happened so far: I contacted my representative from the Board where I currently live about this. This is the same woman I have submitted all of my quarterly reports to over the years as well as the occasional question. And while she’s not exactly warm, she has been helpful. (Her predecessor was fantastic but retired). Anyway, I asked her how I should answer this question and she replied, like you, that it was confidential and couldn’t be shared. But then we had a second conversation where she was more doubtful and forwarded my question to one of the Board’s compliance officer (she didn’t share my identity which I thought was nice). The compliance officer replied that I am, in fact, required to disclose. Straight from the horse’s mouth. Sucks, I know. I hate that this thing will continue to follow me. At this moment, I am awaiting a reply from the new state. Before applying for a license, I asked them via email if I would be required to do more monitoring if I applied for a license. I was hesitant at first to do so but I figured it’s all gonna come out anyway. If they do require more monitoring, then I’m not going to move there. Screw that. I fulfilled my obligation without any incidents. I’m not some evil person that needs to be punished forever. I’m also tired of playing out scenarios in my head. I’m done with those days. Sorry for the long reply!

Hi, did you ever get an answer to your question about relocating after completing your agreement? I completed mine in March and want to apply for other state licenses (I'm in IL). However, they ask if I was ever in an Alternative to Discipline Program. But I'm not sure if the program I was in was an Alternative to Discipline Program. I was told by my BON rep that my participation in the program can never shared with anyone. So, I'm not sure how to answer that question because my contract was non-punitive and confidential and my license was always Active with no restrictions. I hope things worked out for you, thanks!

Hello, I just read your post and am in a similar situation. I, too, am interested in relocating to NC and unsure how to answer some of their application questions about whether I have ever been involved in an Alternative to Discipline program. I don't want to be dishonest but then again I don't want to disclose anything I'm not required to. About me: I just completed a monitoring program in Illinois and my representative from the Board of Nursing here told me that my participation in the program doesn't get disclosed to anyone. The program was non-punitive and confidential and my license is current and restricted. I don't want to answer the application questions incorrectly and then get myself involved in years of additional drug screens and reports. I'm eager to hear what happened with you. Thanks!

Hello, I read your post and was struck by how similar it is to where I was 4 years ago. Some background about me, I was caught diverting and ended up in a psych ward (at my own hospital no less) and was then referred to a rehab program for professionals. Upon completion of rehab, I was fired from my job but eventually found work in an infusion center where I had limited exposure to controlled substances. I was not required to tell my new employer of my history. The next 3 years consisted of attending weekly Aftercare meetings, random drug screens, and quarterly reports. I also had to see a therapist and get placed on suboxone by an addictions doctor. I followed every recommendation and found that my journey through the last 4 years was probably the mildest compared to other people who were less voluntary. This is not to say that you must share everything about yourself with the Board. As others have stated, you were wise to get an attorney. I did not get one but, for some reason, I didn't feel the need to do so and I don't have any regrets. I recently completed my contact with the Board and let me tell you that you CAN do it. It's a hassle but once you get through the initial interview and any required rehab, you'll be fine. The humiliation of getting drug tested every month will pass. You will adapt to the costs and may even be able to get help with some of it, depending on your state. Most states have voluntary alternative to discipline programs that are non-punitive and confidential. I'm happy to answer any additional questions!

Hello, I am an RN who recently completed my 3 year contract with my state's BON. It was a confidential, non-disciplinary, informal consent that required regular attendance at 12-step meetings, random UAs, meeting with a therapist and a psychiatrist, and quarterly reports. It was a long and expensive 3 years but I completed it and I'm proud of that. At the initial interview with my BON's contact (who has since retired), I was told that once I complete my enrollment, the matter would be closed and my information gets deleted from the system. But now, when I apply for a license in other states, I get asked if I have ever been part of an alternative to discipline program and I'm unsure how to answer. I don't want to mislead anyone but, honestly, I'd like nothing more than to close that chapter of my life and I'm afraid that disclosing my participation will come with new requirements and costs. And that will affect whether I decide I move. It might not be worth it, after all. Has anyone here ever encountered this situation? Thanks for reading!

Hey there, I'm also in IL and was just having a conversation about informatics today with a nurse who was doing Epic training. She said it's a great career, she'd been an Onc RN for 12 years and was getting burned out (I'm also an Onc RN). Are you under any monitoring at the moment? What makes you think you want to leave patient care altogether? I mean, I get it; I'm jsut curious about your reasons. Hang in there; I know it's tough!

Hi everyone. I have a question about changing residencies while still under a diversion agreement with my current state. I know people do relocate and just serve out the remainder of their agreement with the new state all the time. My psychiatrist is supportive of this and I've asked my contact at the Board about it and she was pretty much like "no problem, you'll just get monitored by your new state." However, I am thinking of moving to CO or CA and fear that I may get myself involved in a really restrictive, expensive agreement. I was able to be monitored by the same place I did my treatment and they've been great. My current agreement is actually pretty lenient and not costing me a ton of money like many programs do. Does anyone have any information about PAS in Colorado? What about California and Maximus? I wonder if I should just sit tight and serve out the remainder of my contract and get it all behind me but I'm getting really burnt out and tired of the midWest. Once it's complete, it's sealed and confidential and I can stop living in fear so much. It's been really hard finding my passion for nursing again after the last few years. Sorry for the long message; please share your insights!

Hello, I just read your post and am really shocked that somebody with your background would have a difficult time getting a job as a tech in an ER. I'm not sure where you're located but I work in a Level 2 60 bed ED in a large Midwest city and we'd hire you on the spot. Tech jobs in the ED, in my experience, are a dream job because they don't usually require many of the floor tech duties such as bathing, feeding and toile ting (though these do come up, esp the toileting). Have you ever considered skipping the tech path and just going to nursing school and working as an RN in the ED? It sounds like you know more than most new grads. There's no need to spend $$ of your own on phlebotomy courses. You'll learn that on the job and it's not rocket science. We have some good techs in our ED but many of them are either overwhelmed with the basics (vitals signs) or slack off any chance they get, which is a shame bc the ED requires everyone to work as a well-oiled machine. We have several RNs that were EMTs in their former careers and they're at a huge advantage bc so few ED nurses know what goes on in the rigs. My advice is to develop a rapport with the staff in the EDs you service, ask about opportunities, get a few names and contact the Department Manager directly rather than go thru HR. And consider a career as an ED Nurse if you really like it. Don't settle for a tech position for life. It's great experience but you can do better. Good luck!