BlessesRN_2011

My BON requires written communication. I had to send a letter asking for reinstatement.

I informed my current employer after the job was offered. I was honest with them and have them the opportunity to recend the offer. Fortunately the DON didn't think twice and kept the offer on the table. Check ur contract however and make sure you are required to disclose. This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

If you are not required by your contract to disclose your status, DO NOT SAY ANYTHING! Cat is right, you will not even be given a second look. This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Arkansas- it can vary- it's up to the almighty BON- I got 5 years- some of my friends got 3 This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

YEHA!!!! That's wonderful news!! That's encouraging to know it does END at some point!! This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Check the terms of your contract. I have to call in 365 days a year. Holidays, weekends- everyday. In two years, I have never been called to test on a weekend or holiday. I am fortunate that my testing site is 24/365 so it's not a worry for me. Happy Thanksgiving! This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

I've been there too! Surrendered my liscense and worked at a bank for while. On the paperwork agree with TwoYear, don't disclose why you left, just it was time for a change. I was terminated so had to answer the question ' have u ever been terminated'. I replied "difficulty maintaining a liscense". Which is true- after I was offered the job, hiring mgr called and asked me what the problem was- I was honest and she was very understanding and supportive. I was very unsure about returning to nursing after being out for 18 mo- but my bank account made my mind up for me. It's gets better, but if you don't go back, it's ok too! Your health and sobriety are top priority!!! Good luck!! This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Know what know, know what you don't know and ask questions about what don't know. This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

In akransas I have taken Claritin-D; I disclosed when I signed the contract that I had a prescription for this despite it being OTC in my state. Have taken Melatonin and Mucinex occasionally. Haven't had any issue with anything in 19 months. This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Ha catmom1! I'm with you- before sobriety I could never understand drug take bak programs, or have some 'extra' pain meds around! I took them too!! So glad I'm sober today and if they arnt mine I know I can't take them. Fortunately, having stuff like that in the house is very rare. When my daughter had a T&A she had liquid hydro with a refil. There would have been a day I would have taken what she didn't need and then refilled it for me! In sobriety, I ended up pouring 1/2 the first bottle out (as she didn't need it anymore) and then forgetting about it! Praise God, I am clean and sober and can make good decisions like that now!! This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Arkansas never sent anything like that, just the contract. I have been monitored for 18 months, I have never avoided OTC products or hand sanitizer and I've not been notified if a positive test. I try not to stress over it because I know I'm clean. Good luck in ur monitoring! It's not easy, but do-able! This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Congrats!!! Thats wonderful!! This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

One of my first 12 step meetings, I ran into a man I had as a patient in ICU many years before. This man was a garden variety drunk and we would frequently be giving him beer every 4 hours per physician orders. Nurses would fight over who had to take this man because he was beyond difficult. One night he coded while I was on duty- obviously we revived him successfully - When he saw me and I him, both broken beyond repair at this AA meeting we both gave eachother a very long and tearful embrace. That was three years ago- I have seen this man grow in recovery into a true success story for what a higher power and 12 steps can do. It has been a great experience and I now call this man my friend and brother in AA. This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

My unit has 25-30 pts with 2 RNs doing all charting, admitting and discharging. One LPN doing meds and two techs. We are responsible for two groups on 7-3 shift also- as the charge nurse I go to all staffings with the physicians also. Our two RNs are charting on 13-15 folks every day. Never mind doing anything on the care plans! It is so frustrating and an impossible task most days. Any others have similar situation- I don't feel this is safe- This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Hello my peers- just taking a poll: on an average day what is the census of your acute adult unit and how many RNs are on duty? My unit typically has 25-30 patients, there are 2 RNs, one LPN for meds and 2 MHAs (mental health associate). This combo of staff is for day shift 7-3 and must take off orders for 4 doctors,do 2 groups,attend staffing daily with various doctors in addition to any admissions and discharges that occur. I find finishing all the paperwork my facility wants is impossible most days. What are ur experiences? Thanks! This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Hey Texas! I'm from Arkansas and the BON sent me a list of approved experts that perform addiction evaluation from all areas of the state. I called around to see which one I could get in to see within the time frame I needed. Prices varied quite a bit. This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Thank you for the info!! I will be doing a bit of research in the things u mentioned. I wish I were excited about groups! I don't have to do the everyday, the other RN and I split it, but I feel so anxious and unprepared. I don't have the specialized training u mentioned and that causes anxiety. I can do the discharge planning group with confidence because it's things I know. And I do the good/bad coping skills group but need more in my tool box than those two topics! Haha! Usually there are 20-28 people in the group and I would be by myself. Thank you for replying and the good info!! This is the day The Lord has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

I am relatively new to phych nursing and we are expected to lead a nursing topic group. The unit is an adult acute unit. No psychosis, or too many behavioral issues. A lot of depression with SI. Our patients usually have some sort of substance abuse issue whether they know it or not. Any suggestions or experiences for a 45min-1 hour group?

That's wonderful news!!