lildee67

Hi PCORRAL, I have been where you are myself. It is extremely frustrating, and seems to take FOREVER to get your nursing license reinstated. I was addicted to opiates, surrendered my license voluntarily, went inpatient and then outpatient. During the waiting process I was financially broke too. I needed to find work ASAP, I was late on my mortgage, and late paying my electric bill, and about to have no electricity. I could not think of any other kind of work, except nursing, because that's what I been doing most of my adult life. I started as a Nursing Assistant way back in the 80's. I called the Dept of Health to find out what I had to do to re-activate my Nursing Assistant certification. I had to pay a fee, and pass a written and clinical exam to be a Nursing Assistant again. No big deal. A lot of my friends who are Nurses told me I was crazy to even consider working as an "aide" again, after being a Registered Nurse with my BSN. I wasn't too fond of the idea myself, but here in NY State, a CNA that is certified can make up to $18/hour to start in some places, depending on experience, and I had ALOT of experience ! I became a NYS certified CNA, and worked full time and I made just enough money to keep my kids fed, pay for the roof over our heads and sometimes pay my electric bill on time . I had to learn to eat a BIG piece of Humble pie for almost 3 years, until my Nursing license was reinstated. I learned a few valuable lessons as a CNA. Without Nursing Assistants, we Nurses would be in a whole lot of trouble. I learned to really appreciate the Nursing Assistants, and came to realize how hard they work. Working as a CNA might help you financially, like it did for me, just an idea though, please don't be offended for me suggesting that, just trying to help and share how I dealt with the same situation. It seemed like it took a hundred years to be restored to a Nurse again, and there were MANY times I just wanted to give up and throw in the towel. I refused to give in and give up. I know I am a great Nurse, and I DO make a difference in peoples lives. Don't give up PCORRAL ! It seems like it is taking forever, but this too shall pass. If I could do it, you can do it. You have to stay positive, and never give up. One day you will be reinstated, and working as a Nurse again, and you will look back and remember all of this hardship that you have come through, only to see that you prevailed in the end. Stay strong, it will get better. Good Luck !!

Thank you Esme12 :)

Hello to everyone, I have been a nurse since 1997. I got addicted to opiates and surrendered my nursing license. I completed in patient and out patient treatment. I had a very hard time trying to stay clean. I was diagnosed with bilateral Posterior tibial tendinopathy. It is extremely painful, and frustrating, because I want and need to work, but I have no control over my own feet and ankles. If I am walking around for more than six hours straight they start to swell up to the point where I can not get my shoes off alone. The pain is like having a hot coal poker stabbed into the insides of your ankles and feet. Aleve helps, but not enough. I can NOT take opiates, and I WILL Not take opiates. After two consultations with orthopedic Doc's, and one consultation with my regular Doc and two more consults with a pain management Doctor, I decided to take suboxone. Taking suboxone for me has been a life saver. I have been on the program for two years. I can manage the pain with 1 aleve and my regular dose of suboxone, and work an entire shift. I got my nursing license back a few months ago. I live in NY State, on Long Island. My nursing license is not restricted. My employer must submit quarterly reports on my progress, and I attend SPAN or NA meeting at least once a month. I have not had any cravings to use any opiates at all. Suboxone helps me not only stay clean, but it helps me with the pain so I can go back to work and financially support myself. I have been applying for nursing positions every where. I have been declined work because I surrendered my license voluntarily, and admitted to having an opiate addiction. Even trying to explain to employers that suboxone is not just an "insurance policy" for me, but for where ever I work as a nurse. Suboxone has naloxone with the buprenorphine, I take the strips, and there is no way to remove the naloxone. Naloxone is an opiate agonist, which means that if I'm taking suboxone, I can not take opiates, unless I want to take a trip to the emergency room. I was interviewed last week, and finally offered a nursing position. I am supposed to start work and orientation this coming Thursday 2/12/2015. I did not tell my interviewer that I am on suboxone. I was not asked any questions regarding medication I take. As I was leaving the interview, so glad and relieved to finally have a job again, I was handed a Labcorp lab slip, to give a urine for a 10 panel drug screen. I was speechless for a second, and then I said "Thank you". I looked up a 10 panel drug screen for Labcorp. The last drug they test for on the panel is methadone. I have never taken methadone in my life. Three months ago I applied for a nursing position, and they said I tested positive for methadone. I told them the same thing, I have never taken methadone. I told the woman that I was taking suboxone, by prescription, Legally. Needless to say they did not believe me. I am not sure what to do. I researched methadone and suboxone, and they are in the same drug classification. I am not sure though, if taking suboxone will test positive for methadone. I went to my pain management Doctor yesterday, and they assured me that I should NOT test positive to anything on a 10 panel drug screen. The internet says different, and that people on suboxone will test positive for methadone. My pain management Doctor wrote me a note, stating that I am in a suboxone program. I have been debating all weekend about what I should do. I decided that even though I feel that I have a right to privacy and HIPPA, I will go to the Director that hired me last week, and explain why I am on suboxone, and give her my Doctors note. Then I will give my urine to labcorp, and show them my Doctors note as well. If I am going to test positive to anything, I am going to prove that I take suboxone and I have a legal and legitimate prescription. As far as the law in NY State, I am not sure if a nurse can be on suboxone. I am guessing that when my new employer sends a progress report to the OPD in NYS, that she may include that I am taking suboxone. I have two questions, and if anyone here can possibly answer them, I will be forever in your debt. 1) What would you do about having to give a urine for a drug screen, while taking suboxone? Would you tell your employer you are on suboxone and give her the Doctor note and then drop off urine to lab? 2) Does anyone know if in NY State a nurse can be on suboxone and still work as a nurse? PLEASE help me ASAP ! I have to take care of the drug test tomorrow ! Thank you for any help and advice :)