CattyWampus

" Is it a religion? ]It is neither a religion in the sense in which that word is commonly understood, for it is not "a system of faith and worship owing any allegiance to a supernatural being." Buddhism does not demand blind faith from its adherents. Here mere belief is dethroned and is substituted by confidence based on knowledge, which, in Pali, is known as saddha. The confidence placed by a follower on the Buddha is like that of a sick person in a noted physician, or a student in his teacher. A Buddhist seeks refuge in the Buddha because it was he who discovered the path of deliverance. A Buddhist does not seek refuge in the Buddha with the hope that he will be saved by his (i.e. the Buddha's own) personal purification. The Buddha gives no such guarantee. It is not within the power of a Buddha to wash away the impurities of others. One could neither purify nor defile another. The Buddha, as teacher, instructs us, but we ourselves are directly responsible for our purification. Although a Buddhist seeks refuge in the Buddha, he does not make any self-surrender. Nor does a Buddhist sacrifice his freedom of thought by becoming a follower of the Buddha. He can exercise his own free will and develop his knowledge even to the extent of becoming a Buddha himself. The starting point of Buddhism is reasoning or understanding, or, in the Pali words, samma-ditthi. " At least the many books I've read make a distinction between buddhism as a RELIGION and buddha as DIETY. If others interpret it differently, all well and good. The readings I've done indicate it is not ... or not, necessarily. :)

I agree -- there's something wrong with a State Board giving an imperative directive to attend a spiritual program. And AA will definitely tell you it is a SPIRITUAL (not religious) program. While everyone at AA talks about their "higher power," quite frankly, many of them then go on to talk about God, Jesus, church, etc. Which is not to say I'm not a believer, myself ... I just don't think the STATE should insist on it. I went mentally ballistic yesterday when at a discussion meeting someone said "Nothing in this world happens that is not part of God's plan." Oh, really, the 9-month old that was raped to death by a grown man is part of God's plan? Ain't buying it nor do I want a God like that.

Some areas offer Buddhist 12 step programs...and Buddha is NOT a diety; Buddhism is a philosophy not a religion.

I'm in PNAP too and haven't heard anything yet about FirstLab. PNAP is Pennsylvania Nurse Assistance Program for those in the voluntary recovery program. I certainly hope there's still a wide range of labs available!

The recovery program in PA specifically prohibits any beauty products containing alcohol. I, too, use hair products to keep my hair the way I like it. However, I bought the L'Oreal alcohol-free versions. A bit pricier but better than jeopardizing my status! PA also prohibits vanilla in desserts. Now that one gets me! LOL. Yes there is alcohol in vanilla but it bakes off! I won't consume a dessert with alcohol that is uncooked, however.

Read all the posts about how difficult it is for nurses in recovery to find ANY job. The hope of a job at your current hospital, with their full knowledge of your situation, is something many nurses would be happy to have. Trust me, I understand the financial pressures; see if you can find a supplemental job to help you with expenses and STICK with this hospital! They sound like good people to me. Although they make take a resignation as an indicator you do not wish to participate in recovery and will then report you to the BoN.

My thoughts are with you as you struggle with this. I'm in PA but there's a nurse-to-be in my recovery group with as similar story (DUI 8 years ago, can't sit for boards until she signs the contract with the recovery program). The nurses who have found jobs that are consistent with practice restrictions are (1) long term care, (2) dialysis, and (3) mental health. I just started a job in a clerical/support position with a previous employer who has faith in me and I'm thanking God for this company and their willingness to walk this road with me. I hope to move into a limited practice RN position here as soon as I receive my return-to-work authorization. Good luck!

Thanks for the clarification! Then I'm in monitoring....if I follow all the rules, I will not have any permanent record on my license of this event. I keep telling myself "just do it, don't be bitter, just get it done..." but I keep feeling like I get hit with something new every few weeks. Getting the official contract in the mail yesterday with the specifics of the drug dependence spelled out and knowing I have to give that to an employer (or prospective employer!) just threw me back into the despair I keep crawling out of. I have no intention of fighting; I just have to get through it and do what it says. I know it can be done so I just HAVE TO DO IT. And have faith that it is all for the best.

Three year "voluntary recovery program" in PA. I just received my official contract (having started the process in August). My favorite phrase in the document is the "I waive my constitutional rights..." I'm not sure the difference between a monitoring contract versus a probationary contract. I just know I'm involved for the next 3 years with restrictions on practice, drug & alcohol screening, did the 90/90 meetings, required now to do 3-4 a week but never less than 2 eventually, etc. (First offense, self-reported)

My program states you can't be a supervisor (unknown for how long) so an ADON position would be out of the question.

Get an attorney who specializes in this before self-reporting. If I hadn't self-reported, I wouldn't be in this situation. I had a low level DUI, no drug charges, no drug diversion at work, but *I* knew I was taking opiates (self-medicating for chronic pain syndrome) and got scared. I self-reported and BAM, I'm outta work and in the Voluntary Recovery Program.

As a newcomer to the process, I have to say the majority of the stories I see online make it sound pretty hopeless. This is a godawful process only to not get a chance. I don't have diversion charges but it doesn't seem like it matters WHY we are in the program, just that we are.

This is my greatest fear, I must admit. I'm new to PNAP, just completed intensive outpatient therapy. I haven't been approved to return to work even on restricted license yet. I've only had one FirstLab specimen thus far. My organization didn't have a position that suited my restrictions and hence separated employment, despite a stellar work history (and no work-related charges), top-notch reviews and high level promotions. I'm also an older nurse so I don't even know if I can survive this ordeal and return to the nursing workforce. From what I've read online, not many nurses have success in getting back to work (or maybe these are the ones who post online and the successful ones don't). When I start seeking work, I will start with employers I've work for in the past and had good work history with...and I will be upfront with them right from the start. If no one wants to take me on, then I'll be searching for a new career. I'll keep up with PNAP as long as reasonable. If I find a new career, I may just drop it all. But I'd really rather not do that.

Best of luck to you! Positive vibes!