Sally87

Read your contract closely! My contract specifically says that I cannot test at my work. There aren't any after hour places near me, so I'm working weekend nights until I'm finished with my contract. It stinks, but at least I can work! Just trying to stay positive lol! Hope everyone has a blessed weekend!

I had my evaluation in Arkansas for 350 dollars. You have to pay with cash, even if you had insurance they do not take it. The posts above are correct, it's not a cheap process. I pay FirstLab 100 dollars per month, plus you pay the collection site each time you test. Luckily my site only charges 30 per test. I had to pay the board a 1000 dollar fine, but they will let you make quarterly payments on your fine. You have to accept that this is a money making business for them and try not to take things personally. I attend Celebrate Re meetings weekly, these help me to deal with the wide array of feelings that I experience!

Thank you for sharing your story! I have been the last 2 weeks and I love it!

Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I'm having a rough day and needed to hear them!

Thank you for your encouraging words! I actually went last night for the first time. It was a wonderful experience! I cried tears of relief, joy, and hope! I actually felt comforted and felt like I belonged there. I'm so glad that I made myself go. It was good for my soul! I'm definitely going back next week!

Thank you for the encouragement! I'm hopeful that this process will help me grow into a better wife, mother, nurse, and person in general! I'm trying my best to focus on all of my blessings in life and not just focus on the negative things that I have going on!

Thank you Tiff! Hope you were able to enjoy your holiday! Fingers crossed that I will hear something this week!

I am allowed to work. They did not place me on a narcotic restriction. They did restrict the areas that I could work in though. They also made a stipulation that I can't be in charge or the only RN on the floor. I have some applications out at dialysis companies and have phone interviews scheduled for next week! Fingers crossed that one of them will give me a chance! Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

I got the typical 2 years of probation, random drug screens, had to pay a fine.....

It took them a full year to review my case. Then they emailed me a consent agreement and gave me2 days to review it and have it back to them!

No ma'am, I'm in rural Arkansas

Hey Daisy! Just wanted to check on you and see how you are holding up???

I really wish I was able to find one! I can't find one anywhere near me. I'd be willing to drive a reasonable distance! Going to my first celebrate recovery meeting tonight. I'll let y'all know how that goes!

Thank you for your reply! I've made arrangements to attend one on Friday!

Thanks Tara! I haven't heard from anyone today. I'm sure a lot of HR and recruiters are off for the holiday though..... that's what I keep telling myself anyway lol!!

That's good to know! Hopefully they will give me a chance! I keep trying to remind myself that for all of the no's I receive, I just need one yes! I'm in going to make myself get out and exercise today. Maybe the fresh air and activity will be good for the worn down soul í ½í¹‚. Hope you all have a blessed day!

I'm not sure about the legalities! I just wanted you to know that you are not alone and I'll keep you in my thoughts/prayers!

I've applied for dialysis too! I actually got an email to set up a phone interview today! Maybe they will take a chance on me! I think it would do me a lot of good to get out of the hospital setting and start out fresh some where! Fingers crossed!!

I'm seriously starting to think that I should start looking outside of nursing. I keep filling out application after application. Every time I have to check that box about probation I feel my heart sink and a knot in my stomach. I hope this all gets easier and more manageable with time!

Thanks again guys for your words of encouragement! I'm trying hard not to get overwhelmed with what I am facing. It's nice to know that I'm not the first person to deal with this and that there are people out there who understand fully what I am going through. I got my first rejection email in today from a place I applied yesterday. I'm going to keep pushing on and keep applying everywhere I can find! Did any of you take a break from nursing and get a non nursing job in the beginning?

Thank you so much for your response. My husband is also in the medical field, but that is the only experience he has with addiction. I'm having a hard time dealing with all of the mistakes that I've made and coming to terms with the mess I've created for myself. I suppose all of this is normal. I've tried to deal with these feelings on my own or with my family, but clearly I'm still struggling. I have peace of mind knowing that I'm clean and sober. I no longer have to worry about a random drug screen being popped on me. However, my workplace has not signed by impaired nurse contract so I'm currently suspended. They are going to decide after the holidays if they are willing to take on another "impaired nurse." Now I'm trying to apply for other jobs in my area. I filled out 20 applications yesterday and I will do the same today. Hopefully someone will decide to give me a chance!

My personal contract doesn't require any meetings, but I do think I could benefit from some. I live in a very rural area so I can't find any nurse groups anywhere close to me. I would love to be able to attend some! I guess that's why I enjoy talking with you guys so much!

Thanks to you both for responding to me! My husband and mother in law have both been very supportive to me through this entire process. I do have a good support system and I realize how blessed I am to have them. However they can't fully grasp the whirlwind of emotions that I experience daily. I definitely need to get to a meeting of some kind soon!

Hey guys! I'm about 2 months into my contract. I'm feeling huge waves of emotions. I'm having a hard times dealing with the shame and guilt that I feel all the time. My self worth is at an all time low. Just wondering if anyone has attended any Celebrate Recovery meetings to help you emotionally and spiritually? Any input is greatly appreciated!

I am sincerely sorry for your loss! I lost my mother when I was 11 years old. Ill keep you in my prayers!