recovered nurse with little hope

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 16, 2017

Have you tried to apply for jobs with a dialysis clinic? Davita are well known for hiring nurses with an addiction history. I know several people with a history of actually diverting drugs and were still hired for dialysis because they have no access to medications in the course of their job.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2017

Brighten up. You went to all that trouble to get your RN and now you're going to sit and waste it! I know a few drug and rehab counselors. They all seem to have been there and back. Who better to counsel addiction.. You got a long time to go, so go for some jobs in drug counseling. Psych might even be a good fit for you as well.

If you come across in an interview the way you came across in your post, no one will hire you. You must inject hope into the equation. Do you have veterans center up there...go for a job in counseling addicts. Get certified in addiction counseling. Open up your own addiction treatment center. Skies the limit: YOU HAVE GOT TO WANT IT!

I think you read too much into your past job history. I also think you need to pull yourself up out of your funk and start believing in yourself. :)

caliotter3 · Mar 16, 2017

Before you walk into an interview, smile, and tell yourself you will be positive. Keep that positive thought as long as possible.

Fiona59 · Mar 16, 2017

Have you tried to apply for jobs with a dialysis clinic? Davita are well known for hiring nurses with an addiction history. I know several people with a history of actually diverting drugs and were still hired for dialysis because they have no access to medications in the course of their job.

OP stated she's in Alberta, Canada. Davita doesn't exist here. Dialysis falls under the mandate of Alberta Health Services, the primary employer of nurses here.

She does send up all sorts of red flags to employers and for all we know still has restrictions on her practice permit. HR might consider her an accommodation, and AHS has a hard enough time placing employed nurses with issues without hiring from the outside.

She might want to spin the "I don't want to do shift work as is required in the hospital/nursing home setting" when asked why she's looking for MA jobs.

Alberta is in the middle of a recession and it's a very tough job market to crack.

kari04 · Mar 17, 2017

Brighten up. You went to all that trouble to get your RN and now you're going to sit and waste it! I know a few drug and rehab counselors. They all seem to have been there and back. Who better to counsel addiction.. You got a long time to go, so go for some jobs in drug counseling. Psych might even be a good fit for you as well.
If you come across in an interview the way you came across in your post, no one will hire you. You must inject hope into the equation. Do you have veterans center up there...go for a job in counseling addicts. Get certified in addiction counseling. Open up your own addiction treatment center. Skies the limit: YOU HAVE GOT TO WANT IT!
I think you read too much into your past job history. I also think you need to pull yourself up out of your funk and start believing in yourself. :)

Thanks for the feedback, it inspires me. And you are absolutely correct.

I am looking into all options. thanks so much!

kari04 · Mar 17, 2017

Hi Fiona,

There are no restrictions on my license. I never had issues with alcohol on the job. And I have 15plus years of sobriety. I just did not actually work much as an RN. (like 2 years max acute care-many years ago). So hard to 'get up to speed' and compete with young nurses that are gung-ho.

I do spin the 'I don't want to do shift work' and it is getting my interviews; some clinics do hire nurses (ocassionally RN's mostly LPN's) and this is my aim. Where I'm at this is fine!

Thank you for your post.