SororAKS

Call your caseworker. Is it a permanent full time spot or is that limited to training?

Self report.

Call your caseworker and be honest about what you did. That will be much better than them finding positive test results and having to ask you. Honestly assess what happened, get back to a program, and work it one day at a time. What's done is done. Take honest stock of what happened, and why; but don't beat yourself up. One day at a time. Others have relapsed and later successfully completed their monitoring. You can do this. *hug*

I'd both self report and retain an attorney experienced in dealing with the Board of Nursing. I'll be the first to agree with you on some of the rules and requirements, but it is better if you just do what you need to get through it. No it isn't fair. But if you want to have a chance to keep your license, being honest and up front, self reporting, and admitting that you have issues are very important. Many of us have been where you are, got through our programs successfully, and have come out on the other side. You can too.

I would get a lawyer, even a public defender, for your criminal case. See if you can retain a different lawyer with experience dealing with the Board. If you self report to the program in your state, the possibilities of keeping your license are there. I did a similar thing a number of years ago. I did manage to make it through my monitoring program successfully, and last year got my license unsuspended. You can do this.

Get a lawyer pronto, one that has experience dealing with the FL Board of Nursing and IPN. Lawyer up, do not admit to anything. Talk with your doctor, get an evaluation, and start attending meetings if you honestly believe you have issues. Only you will know that. If you do and you are an addict, the sooner you're able to be honest about that, the sooner you can get help. Self reporting is better than waiting until someone does it for you. I do think it is odd that they're allowing you to continue to work if they're going to fire you. Usually they escort you from the premises and you wait out the internal investigation at home. Good luck to you. Many of us have been where you are and come out on the other side.You can get through this.

This incident disgusted me. I've never seen police have such disrespect for medical professionals. She advocated for her patient and followed policy, most police officers I've worked with are very respectful and come equipped with a search warrant. I don't know what was up with this officer, but this is unacceptable.

What I do agree with here is the need for lobbying one's representatives and speaking out. Unfortunately as a profession we have not done this nearly enough, and that factor has contributed in the out of control behavior of some Boards of Nursing. When I refer to out of control, I am not talking about the immediate punitive actions as consequences. I am talking about the continued Scarlet Letter that stays and stays, and the Boards that issue weird requirements that are not commensurate with the acts of the nurse. I am talking about Boards of Nursing doing things simply because they CAN.

Yay! Congratulations on completing TPAPN!

Thanks for posting this. I go through these spells on occasion. One thing that helps me is the knowledge that it will pass, and in the meantime, I just try to keep up some daily practice of meditation and occasionally yoga. I also journal, writing out what is going on unrestricted and unfiltered, not judging myself for feeling off or depressed.

I'd quit the second job. Our stress responses were masked with active addiction, and when we stop using our emotions aren't masked anymore. One thing I've learned throughout all this is to pay attention to what is going on inside myself. If you feel stressed with an added job, pay attention to that. There are other ways to get bedside nursing experience that aren't so stressful...if indeed that is what you want to do. If you like Case Management, stick with that. Good luck!

I'd consult a professional licensure attorney.

Wow! Almost done! Congratulations and hang in there! Keep us posted.

You might try calling KY BON and ask them. In my experience, most Boards of Nursing are hesitant to issue a license unless Probation is completed in the previous state.

I have mixed feelings as I read this. I am glad that you listened to your heart and that you realize you have options other than nursing. A perceived lack of options keeps some people stuck. On the other hand, I am saddened that there is yet one more committed nurse leaving, because of a system that does not even come close to meeting nurses half way. I left nursing a number of years ago because of benzodiazepine addiction. I got clean and am still clean. For a long time, I wasn't even interested in returning to nursing, until a few years ago when I changed my mind. I did everything that the BON told me to do, successfully completed monitoring, etc. They reinstated me on Probation, and set conditions that make it basically impossible for me to return to active practice...which really wasn't necessary. These Boards are out of control, no accountability, and unless one is wealthy with money for a lawyer it is almost impossible to bring them to account. It isn't impossible for me to return, but I have to look at all this and ask myself some hard questions. From what I am seeing and hearing, things are far worse in healthcare than they were when I left. Is it really worth it. I'm still asking myself this. I haven't completely given up returning, but there comes a time when you have to look at the costs and the benefits of what you're trying to do. In the meantime, I have started a little home business, making aromatherapy oils blends, incense, and powders. I'm not making the money I did in nursing, but I like what I'm doing. I have control over my schedule and my day, and don't have to fight with anyone over time off. I can help people in this way, and have a small but devoted customer base. Each one of us must decide when to say when. If this time is now for you, good luck to you! Keep in touch with us and let us know how things are going.