Recovering RN returning to work

Nurses Recovery

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I have been recovering from an opiate addiction and am involved with Health Professional Recovery Program. I am trying to return to work but have a restriction that I cannot work anywhere there are narcotics. My current job states they have no position available for me so have put me on a personal leave. I am looking elsewhere for a different job but I am very limited. Currently looking for a hemodialysis, case management, phone triage job but want to know if people have any suggestions on which way to go. I've also thought about working as a nurse's aid but I'm not certified and don't know how to do that. I desperately need some income-may need to go outside of nursing if I can't find a suitable job approved by HPRP. I've been a nurse for 19 years, have eight years dialysis experience, rest is med/surg. Please help me if you can. Thanks!

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Good luck! I kinda understand what you are going through. I am an alcoholic (sober for almost 9 months) I was fortunate and sought help on my own, so I was able to go back to work without any restrictions. God love you for your courage and determination.

If you want to continue to work in this field, I sure something will open up eventually. Be patient. I knew one lady-several years ago who had a similar problem and got a job with an insurance company doing chart checks! Let us know how you are doing.

Once again good luck.

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phone triage is the best...it was needed for me, as I was burnt w/ face to face contact.

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One recovering nurse I know now works in the bed control/admissons area of the hospital. Another one works as a unit secretary.

Congratulations and good luck with your recovery. :)

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Good Luck to you. I am a nurse in recovery for 5 yrs. I tried effortlessly to find a job for months then applied at a psych hosp,

I got the job and LOVE it. Try psych nursing it is rewarding and makes" you feel like you make a difference" in someones life

HUGS

Christy:) :

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Specializes in Kidney Transplant, GI.

Hi. I know how you feel. I recently got involved with HPRP. I don't have restrictions on opiates but it is hard finding work. I use to take pride in my license but this HPRP business is really taxing. I have to get use to telling someone "my story" and reporting it on time...lol. I was an weed/pot smoker and I guess I did not feel 3 years of HPRP was fair. Its been 4 months and I am still adjusting, not as well yet as I would have hoped. The main problem I have is the reporting. I use to feel like a capable adult of making my own decisions (since 17 1/2 years old:idea: ) and now have to feel like I have to ask permission to work, what hours to work etc. Hang in there, I know I am trying. I stopped looking for work for a second, but we went thru to much to give up the nursing and start something else (believe me I have giving it much thought too). So I brushed myself off *sighs* and I am presently going to give it another try. In my state the say..."oh you can't work that, theres no worksite monitor", or when I mention I NEED a worksite monitor or I am involved with HPRP some jobs decline an offer...good luck. I am still going to give it a try. One day maybe it will be ok to be human...we all make mistakes, but we shouldn't keep being punished for them, especially if we are doing all the things they ask, and still get no where...this is my constant stress and thoughts. Thanks for letting me vent.....:angryfire

Smoochesfromme:balloons:

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Specializes in LTC MED-SUG ORTHO.

it is so hard to grow up, but up we must go, lest we fall. do it one day at a time. the main things are go to meetings, read the literature, and trust in a power greater than yourself.

remember it's the action that gets us anywhere.

nurscat

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Welcome to recovery! I was allowed to go back to my unit without med access, but I knew other in my support group who were not allowed back in pt care right away. One went to emp. health. One even went to the Red Cross Blood Unit and liked it so much she stayed with them even when she finished the diversion program. There was another who could not find a position in the hospital and ended up working as a waitress for a while until she could find something. Pray and trust that your Higher Power will keep you safe. What lands in your lap may not be desirable at first but it may be the best thing for you. Good luck.

Tazzi

12 years and 6 months sober

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Specializes in LTC MED-SUG ORTHO.

by the way, so you know i'm not talking without merit, i have been in recovery for 3 yrs and 7 months

nurscat

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Hi. I know how you feel. I recently got involved with HPRP. I don't have restrictions on opiates but it is hard finding work. I use to take pride in my license but this HPRP business is really taxing. I have to get use to telling someone "my story" and reporting it on time...lol. I was an weed/pot smoker and I guess I did not feel 3 years of HPRP was fair. Its been 4 months and I am still adjusting, not as well yet as I would have hoped. The main problem I have is the reporting. I use to feel like a capable adult of making my own decisions (since 17 1/2 years old:idea: ) and now have to feel like I have to ask permission to work, what hours to work etc. Hang in there, I know I am trying. I stopped looking for work for a second, but we went thru to much to give up the nursing and start something else (believe me I have giving it much thought too). So I brushed myself off *sighs* and I am presently going to give it another try. In my state the say..."oh you can't work that, theres no worksite monitor", or when I mention I NEED a worksite monitor or I am involved with HPRP some jobs decline an offer...good luck. I am still going to give it a try. One day maybe it will be ok to be human...we all make mistakes, but we shouldn't keep being punished for them, especially if we are doing all the things they ask, and still get no where...this is my constant stress and thoughts. Thanks for letting me vent.....:angryfire

Smoochesfromme:balloons:

Whoa....I didn't see this last night, guess I was too tired to pay attention. Old timers in recovery did not get there until we matured enough to own our mistakes. The first line of Step 1 is "We admitted we were powerless." Recovery also teaches one to turn things over to our Higher Power. It sounds like you haven't reached that point yet. You are powerless to a point in this situation: if you want to keep working as a nurse you MUST follow the guidelines set before you. Fighting them and saying "I'm being punished" is actually detrimental to you. You are not being punished. You are being guided toward safe nursing practice. The reasons for programs like this is twofold: to make sure you are safe to practice and to help you get there gradually, because if it happens too fast then failure is almost gauranteed.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Thanks for the helpful messages here. To the OP, I wish you the best in your very difficult and long road to recovery. It does take ownership, courage and conviction to overcome addiction. Baby steps. First OWN that you have a problem, then seek to heal.

I wish you much success.

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Hi im in hprp do you know where i can work?

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