burtis

Can you petition for early release from your program? I can and I sure am planning on it, but who knows if I'll get it. Really, as long as I can find a reasonable job in the meantime I will be pretty happy.

Well, I'm certainly sorry to hear you've been having such a traumatic experience. Maybe you can find a positive outlet for your frustrations!

Well what are you doing about it? If you have some sort of real world campaign going, I would be thrilled to take part in it.

I guess if there was some sort of compulsory chemo for everyone with a given set of symptoms and most people who had said symptoms did have cancer, and the side effects of said chemo were that I couldn't drink a beer for a couple years, yes I would. I don't think you've used a particularly good analogy however, with all due respect. Actually, I probably didn't really express myself very well either and so I apologize for that. I just don't have it in me to be mad anymore, I don't think it's productive to focus on the past. Instead I'm more interested in what my prospects and opportunities are going to look like going forward. Didn't mean to demean anyone else's experiences or feelings.

I'm one of the people who doesn't need to be in the program and I was initially certainly very angry about it. I'm still not thrilled about it of course but there are so many people in my support group that do need to be in it, so it's hard for me to still be too upset about the existence of the program. While I DO think it's overly punitive, I DID do something I shouldn't have and fair play to them for that, I guess. This is the only job I have any sort of training for and aside from how expensive the testing is, I don't really feel that it's significantly changed my life in many ways. That said, once I'm off of it I'm going to take about 6 months to just travel as much as I can. I don't know, it sucks and I don't think there should be a blanket one size fits all policy but if it's saved even one person's life then I am willing to be a part of it.

In any event, I found a number of doctors who will qualify do if anyone in California is in a similar quandary, feel free to PM me and I'll let you know.

I don't know about that, i think you just can't recommend doctors? I saw someone get chided in an old thread, maybe it's not a real rule.

So my board probation monitor won't allow me to see a doctor without first getting his or her CV. Problem being that it doesn't seem as though many doctors actually have CVs. How did you guys work this out? I did find one but he can't see me by the given date. Also if anyone has any suggestions on who to see, I would appreciate it. I guess it's against the rules to post them here but you can DM me? Thanks!

Oh yeah no question. It was in response to my inquiry over whether or not one could go to Smart Recovery or something like that. Has to be 12 step, no regard for it's efficacy. I agree with Pittsburgh, at least it's honest but it was shocking nonetheless.

It's funny, I actually cited the abysmal success rates of AA and 12 step (and let me say if it works for you that's awesome and I'm glad to hear it) to my probation monitor and asked why they wouldn't let anyone try something else if it was beneficial to their rehabilitation and he straight up told me "Well, probation isn't about rehabilitation." So basically it's straight up punitive.

So I began probation on the 13th and the guy I met with from the board was maybe the least helpful person I've ever met... He couldn't answer any of my questions because he isn't a board member, which kind of begs the question why don't they have an actual representative from the board talk to you. Anyway, for the weekly AA/NA meetings we need some manner of documentation right? How is that recorded? Aren't meetings anonymous? How can anyone sign if they're accorded anonymity? For the UAs, do we just print something off the monitoring webpage and bring it into our site? What do I tell the front desk exactly? And has anyone had an issue with their chosen site not being aware of procedure? I know the testing is random but is it ever more than once a week? I'm really into backpacking and I would hate to give it up for the next 3 years. Finally, petitioning for early termination of probation: I was told this can be done after 2 years but has anyone successfully gotten this? I read online that even if they grant it, they move so slowly it basically still works out to 3 years. Thanks and good luck to everyone who is in the same boat as me, it's honestly been the worst experience of my entire life. I can't imagine how hard it is for people with spouses and children. I'm lucky enough to have a very understanding mom who is letting me stay with her while money is so tight

cool, yeah I'm still at my current job too and actually don't know what the board will rule, I've lawyered up and if we come up with a reasonable settlement I'm willing to play ball but I just hate the idea of being forced to do (and spend money on!) things that just don't pertain to my situation. haha it sucks, i actually tried to go to a rehab just proactively and the intake counselor told me i didn't have a problem, went to a psychiatrist, same thing. if I can get a decent job with a probationary license I'll pee in a cup 7 times a day but like you I live on the central coast and really can't afford housing on anything less than a certain payscale, I'm sure you get that. well I'm just venting now, sorry. anyway, do keep me posted on your situation.

hey gnurse, just curious what luck you've had finding non-nursing jobs with a bsn? my future is still unclear right now but i really don't wanna go through all the probation terms because i, like you, really genuinely feel i don't have a problem. sounds like the board is pretty one size fits all about stuff though...

I start orientation tomorrow too! I'm in emergency/trauma. I've got dark curly hair, a beard, glasses, and I'll be wearing khaki corduroys. Come say hi, I don't have any social support out here aside from my cats and I'd love to make a friend.

Yeah but lease is signed, I'm here for keeps

Haha, I'm sure there are great places in the midwest but ND doesn't seem to be it

Wow, congrats! Apparently Fargo is a cool place, I kinda wish I was there instead of here but too late now eh?

Yeah, I got "Why ND?" too. I told them it's a growing economy and my home state is financially hurting, which was true and they liked it.

Ha, yeah I won't lie... It's brutal but I'll survive, so will you. Are you moving out here?

Sure, it's brisk! When Lewis and Clark wintered there at Fort Mandan, it got down to like -30.

Well, I just got back from going out there to find housing and maybe I can help out some other people who are considering Minot for work. The other big thread on Minot is full of panicky handwringing about the lack of housing etc etc. I'm from coastal California so I guess high rents aren't that scary to me, but I found a nice 2 bedroom apartment that is pet friendly for $800 a month, utilities paid except electricity. I can either rent that other room out or use it as a study or (more likely) just put empty boxes in there and pretend it doesn't exist. This winter is apparently very mild for North Dakota, when I was there it was about 40 degrees during the day, down to about 18 degrees at night. I think once spring comes, it will actually be kind of a pretty area. It seems to have lots of rivers, wetlands, lakes...I saw some cool birds and a badger! I hope there's good hiking and stuff, I think there probably is. The town itself, from what I saw, isn't exactly New Orleans or San Francisco in terms of having a distinctive character. Lots of chain restaurants but again I am sure there is some cool stuff there that I intend to find when I move out there for keeps. The hospital seems really nice! I don't formally start for about a month so I didn't really want to interrupt anyone ("Hi, I'm Burtis, I'll be working here in a month... well, see ya" would seem kinda awkward) but all the employees I saw seemed happy, the building was full of light with lots of windows, and I just got the impression it was a really good facility. If anyone cares, I can continue updating this thread once I'm out there for keeps (or at least 2 years) much like DatMurse has done with his Bismarck thread.

yeah, I've heard not great things but I am from California so at least I'm used to housing being absurd. As long as I'm warm in bed and I've got the internet, I'll get by! I will say thank you DM, your posts on this forum are what convinced me to expand my search to ND. so thanks man!

I did, and they seem great, but they don't hire new grads in the ER which is where I really wanna be.

It's looking like Minot is in my future, gang. This will be a pretty big change from California but I'm ready for a change so here we go. What's it like? What's there to do? I'm not a big nightlife guy generally so the lack thereof doesn't bother me, but I hope there's nice stuff to do outside once it stops being forbiddingly cold. Also I know housing is expensive but are there nearby towns that are less impacted and maybe cheaper? I'll have a car and I don't mind a commute at all. Thanks!

Not sure if your school would allow this but I bought white pairs of Dickeys, those worker pants. I even got painter ones that had loops on the side, originally for brushes but I could hang my stethoscope through them. Never heard a word from any of my instructors and they're about as thick as a pair of jeans.