k10-rn

Bless your heart! I wrote you back! I'm glad you responded on here as well. There will be another KY nurse who will find their way here and you're information will be helpful. Probably comforting too. As we all know, this is a terrifying situation in the beginning. It's a tough journey, but it's worth it! WE ARE WORTH IT!

Hello! I have a friend in KY who has gotten herself into quite a bit of trouble. She is very sick and I am trying to help. Long story short, the papers from the board were discovered after searching through her things while she was in the hospital being treated for altered mental status. I have more questions than answers right now. A complaint was filed back in July 2016. Drug diversion, putting in verbal orders for narcs that were never given, etc. Somehow, MONTHS LATER her license is still under investigation. She has since had another job and was terminated. We think for the same thing, but slowly the pieces are being put together and we are just rolling with it while we continue to let her know SHE IS LOVED AND NOT ALONE. Do you know the answers to my questions: When a nurse in KY has a complaint filed and is believed to have been stealing drugs, does the facility report them to the police? Or does the board do their thing first, then report them to police? Or perhaps the police never get involved? I mean, it's theft. Is there a way to find out if anyone pressed charges? Does it really take this long for the KY board to take action?? Complaint was filed in July, it's February! *When I got caught, my license was suspended within 2 or 3 weeks and turned in. I am baffled. I am terrified. So far, it doesn't seem like she wants help. She could literally walk out of the facility she is in and get a nursing job. It's unsafe for her and anyone she could potentially care for. Whoever turned me in, saved my life. But she was turned in, has repeated the offense (I assume) and damn near killed herself. I know no one will get clean until they are ready, but I am really kinda hoping that something is brewing that will force her to. For me, I was turned in to the police and court ordered (GLADLY WENT) to my county's drug court program. Unless of course I wanted to go to prison for 3 years, uuuh NO THANKS. And I can't honestly say I would have gotten help had I not been given that lovely ultimatum. AGAIN that was THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED and I am so thankful, AND ALIVE. And helping others like us get through it! She is worth it, she is far from home. Our friends look to me for hep, because unfortunately I am experienced. But I know nothing when it comes to KY. What can I do? Who can I call? I feel like someone dropped the ball, how could this happen twice? I'm scrambling, looking for a plan B if plan A fails. She is worth saving, but she is too sick to realize it. I hope one of you out there can point me in the right direction. I will take any advice, we will do whatever we have to. She helped me, now it's my turn. Crazy how things come full circle. Thanks in advance! Just keep swimming!!!!!

Well how sweet are you?! I am happy to share if it helps, it is my duty to pay it forward. I owe much of my success to other addicts who were brave enough to share their stories/experiences with me. Having support from people who are "like me" gave me hope. There is so much comfort in knowing that we are not alone. We have to stick together.

I just entered the world of dialysis. I have only worked in the emergency department as an RN, this is going to be a lot different than what I am used to. I am excited to learn new things, I am also nervous. Emergency nursing was my niche, until I got myself in trouble I never thought I would work in any other area. The company I work for is wonderful and I am thankful they decided to add me to their team. LET'S DO THIS!!

I am in Ohio. My day was good, just the usual paperwork, videos and setting up passwords. I feel the same as you do when it comes to supporting our peers. There isn't anything in my area. Luckily I found a nurse who graciously walked me through this terrifying process. I have helped some others, paying it forward. The most helpful thing for me was meeting people who made it through to the other side and I will gladly put myself out there so that others know that we can and do get through this. We are all worth having the gift of recovery and a second chance at being nurses. We cannot do this alone, we have to stick together. WE HAVE A VOICE & EVERYONE could benefit from hearing us. I know I have learned things that I didn't know I needed to. My eyes are open and life is beautiful! I look forward to hearing about your day! KEEP IT UP!!

SororAKS, I am curious how things are going for you now that your license is reinstated? CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Took a little time Finally got a face to face interview Went in with confidence Humbly "explained myself" GOT THE JOB! WOO!

That very same question haunted me... I decided that it was better for me to start off with "explaining myself". My reasoning- if I start off with this not so super news, I still have the rest of the interview to show them that I am worth it! So, my first interview... I was interviewed by a panel of 4 of my peers. They went around the room and introduced themselves, then it was my turn. I said, "Well, I'm going to start off with a doozy!" Then I humbly explained myself. My situation is a bit different than yours as I got myself into trouble while working as an RN. I was terrified of the day I had to sit in front of my peers and tell them what I have done. But I did it! After I was finished they all thanked me for sharing and said they appreciated that I was honest from the beginning. It worked for me, I was offered a position and my first day is tomorrow! Stay humble, people respect that. You're going to do great!!

Congratulations! After I searched for months, I was finally offered a position as an RN too, it feels good to say that. It's so exciting to get back to it! My first day is tomorrow! Good luck to you! Keep up the good work!!

I am in Ohio, I have some of the same restrictions. I just finally got a job at Davita as a dialysis nurse and the only restriction of yours that I can see causing an issue there is the one where you can't be the only RN on site. However, every clinic is different so it may not be an issue. It was hard to find a job! Don't give up. Just keep hounding them until you get it. I wish I had some stellar advice. I also assume you've been given a ton of suggestions on where to look, so I won't do that to you. Good luck, don't give up. You are worth it and you earned it! Keep us posted!

Have you tried Dialysis? What are your restrictions? Are you on the OIG exclusion list?

I'm in Ohio too... I just barely beat the transition from paper to online reinstatement application. I have a friend who cannot get in. Good luck! You're sooooo close!!!!

Through my journey... the hardest thing thus far has been finding a job and handling rejection. Everything else was easy because I wanted my life back. It was all a choice to follow rules and succeed. Each milestone through this made me PROUD. The collection of rejections I have, does not make me proud. I waited so long, worked so hard to get my license back. I did not think it was going to be easy to get a job, but I did not anticipate how terribly rejection makes me feel. I knew rejection was going to happen and at first my attitude was: "if they don't want to hire me, f them, their loss." Then after my hopes were lifted by feeling as though my phone interview or face to face interview went GREAT, MY SOUL WAS CRUSHED by the rejections that followed. Up until now, I have never been rejected as far as employment goes. Plenty of times I have wanted to throw in the towel. Then I remind myself of a few things... -I AM WORTH IT!! We are ALL WORTH IT! -There IS someone out there that WILL give me a chance, I simply have to keep moving forward and not give up. -I worked too hard to get my license in the first place, I have worked harder to get it back and I DESERVE it. -Sure, things could be better BUT THEY COULD BE WORSE!! So what helps me when I get to a dark place... I love quotes. I read motivational, inspirational, funny, "any type" of quote I feel like reading at the time. I learned to crochet, it's therapeutic but I can only sit for so long. I learned how to make string art. I paint mason jars. I make gifts for people because "WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS." I make jewelry... you get the point... ART is my happy place. I also just bought a journal with writing prompts in it. Sometimes a drive alone, listening to some music helps. Reaching out and helping others helps too. JUST KEEP SWIMMING!!!

I am in the area too, I have not been able to find any groups for healthcare professionals. Don't beat yourself up, you fell. Pick yourself up and take care of it.

With experience in dealing with Ohio Board of Nursing, DO NOT go at this alone. I just got my license reinstated after getting in trouble and you do not, no matter what, want to face the Board without representation. Your livelihood is worth paying an atty!