received my consent agreement

[OhioRN1234]

I don't know if i feel relief, grief, or just a little sick. Its better than I thought and probably better than i deserve.

2 years, testing obviously, 6 month narc restrictions, no home health/or supervisory positions. I can work as a charge nurse.

Heres what I am surprised about. I do NOT have to do a chemical dependency evaluation UNLESS the board requests it. The lawyer says that will be triggered if I mess up. I am NOT required to abstain from alcohol unless I have that evaluation and they say so. I have never heard of these two not happening. I also am not required to go to meetings unless the evaluation says to.

It has taken three years to get this to me. Three years... I cannot tell you how much crying and hand wringing I have done.

I dont know how or where I will find a job. Frankly I am afraid to even work as a nurse ever again. I feel like it destroyed me and am quite happy in my job I have now. Its an odd little thing I have found but I am well respected and make ok money. In order to complete this agreement I have to work as a nurse for two years. My lawyer said I could work one day a month somewhere to satisfy my agreement. I wonder if anyone has ever found something so minimal just to work off their discipline??

I love you guys, you heart and kindness carried me through some very hard times. Im sure ill be posting a lot more!

[lynn21]

Well that is positive outcome! What state are you in?

[OhioRN1234]

Ohio which is one of the worst from what I have read.

[mississippiRN71]

Have you considered dialysis?

I work for Fresenius kidney care and really like it. They hire nurses in recovery. My case hasn't come up yet and it's been a little over 2 years since I met with an investigator from the BON.

Did it take 3 years for the BON to make a final decision on your case? Is that after you met with an investigator?

Wishing you the best. Hang in there

[OhioRN1234]

I have, my next concern is that I don't want to quit my current non-nursing job. I love it and the people. I also know that many nurses offers are pulled after they are made and I am worried about quitting my job if i do find something only to have it retracted.

I put my license on inactive status immediately after I was fired. Therefore I couldn't work as a nurse. I never met with the investigator and I honestly believe that saved my butt. I would have shot myself in the foot due to EXTREME guilt and shame. I hated myself during that time and was in a very terrible place. They are just now getting around to me.. three years later.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

I've known people who did only do 2 or 3 shifts a month to meet their consent agreements. I think your problem would be the initial learning curve would necessitate at least a few shifts in a row since it's been a while for you.

My state lets you do nursing volunteer work in place of paid work -- you have to get it approved but people have done weekends at homeless shelter clinics, the red cross, etc. Idk if Ohio allows that.