Recovering RN seeking to re-enter practice

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Specializes in Psych, Dialysis, L & D, Long Term Care.

Hello all, thanks for reading. I am a 35 y/o inactive RN from Ohio. I graduated from an ADN program in 1991 and practiced until 1998. I diverted narcs from my employer in 1996, was offered treatment in lieu of conviction, but in actuality my disease was just getting started. So, long story short, I have a felony conviction, lost my license and continued along this self-destructive path until 2002. I am happy to report that I have been clean and sober since 5-1-02. After about a year clean, I scratched my head and wondered if I could return to nursing and what steps I needed to take to attain that goal. Now, 2 years later, I have done an immense amount of work and submitted stacks of paperwork to the OBN to demonstrate my desire to return to active practice. I have been offered an consent agreement w/ the Board and, if all goes as planned, will have a probationary license reinstated in July! I will have permanent narcotic and practice restrictions, as well I should. My reason for this post is simple....I am wanting to hear from other nurses who've been through this process or are currently, to get advice about how to proceed w/ interviews, etc, what jobs would be 'recovery friendly' and how peers treated them. My hands sweat when I think about telling a potential employer about my past but I am confident that, eventually, I will be hired. I feel like a different woman than the one who used IV narcs thanks to the 12 step program, God and my family. If I can get clean, anyone can!

God bless!

Jeannie

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

The obvious placement that pops into my mind is a rehab facility.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Congrats on your recovery Jeannie and best wishes.

We had a coworker in recovery, he couldn't pass narcs and couldn't float, so there was a tad bit of resentment there. This was a med-surg unit. Just be aware not everyone is open minded, and people are judgemental. But that's there problem.

Good luck in whatever you do. Kudos!

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In my 20+ yrs of nursing, I have come to the conclusion that what happened to you can happen to ANYONE of us at any time! I'm proud of you for getting help even though it was under rough circumstances.

From what I've seen of friends who have had the same problem is to be honest. It the employer sees that you are serious about wanting to change, they will give you a chance. My friends have been back to the hospital with restrictions but eventually they were lifted after they had proven themselves.

I'm not sure about how serious the person was that suggested rehab but it would be a wonderful place for you only because you have been through it and could really share you're personal experience. I have been hospitalized x2 for depression. I would love to get into the mental health profession because I'd like to use my personal experience to help others.

Good luck to you in whatever you try to do!

Janie

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Specializes in Public Health, DEI.

My suggestion about working in rehab was completely serious, for the reasons you mentioned. I can't think of a better person for the job than one who has struggled with the same challenges and can be there as an example.

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Specializes in HEMS 6 years.

My experience has been from the other side. As an emergency department nurse manager and critical care nurse manager I have hired nurses in your situation and with positive results. All my hires are given the same expectations up front and to the point, the short and sweet: you are expected to do your job.

My advice to you is to be upfront and honest in the interview process. Do not ask for any special considerations. It is implicit, if not explicit, that if hired the reasons for your restrictions are between your manager, HR and you. If you choose to discuss your situation with peers, that's your choice. Of course they have to know you have restrictions, but they have no business knowing the why. Too many med errors, addiction- they don't need the why. Only that you're willing to work to your potential and as a team player.

Choose where you would like to work and who you are willing to work for. Avoid the sympathetic, paternalistic and in this day and age, desperate nurse managers trying to fill a slot with a warm body.

You've worked hard and good for you. My bottom line advice is to seek out a nursing unit with strong, positive leadership where the expectation is for everyone to give 110 %.

Best to you,

Mike

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I work with a nurse who was in a similar situation, it's an ICU, she just is not allowed to pass out narcs and has to ask for others to do so for her.

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Good Luck

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Specializes in Psych, Dialysis, L & D, Long Term Care.
My experience has been from the other side. As an emergency department nurse manager and critical care nurse manager I have hired nurses in your situation and with positive results. All my hires are given the same expectations up front and to the point, the short and sweet: you are expected to do your job.

My advice to you is to be upfront and honest in the interview process. Do not ask for any special considerations. It is implicit, if not explicit, that if hired the reasons for your restrictions are between your manager, HR and you. If you choose to discuss your situation with peers, that's your choice. Of course they have to know you have restrictions, but they have no business knowing the why. Too many med errors, addiction- they don't need the why. Only that you're willing to work to your potential and as a team player.

Choose where you would like to work and who you are willing to work for. Avoid the sympathetic, paternalistic and in this day and age, desperate nurse managers trying to fill a slot with a warm body.

You've worked hard and good for you. My bottom line advice is to seek out a nursing unit with strong, positive leadership where the expectation is for everyone to give 110 %.

Best to you,

Mike

Thanks to all who have responded thus far. I am appreciative for your insights. I am seriously considering pursuing chemical dependency as a career choice. After all, I have been there and know all too well the horrors of drug addiction. And obviously, nurses are not 'above' becoming addicts! It is a disease. Never in a million years did I think it would happen to me, but it did. Now I feel empowered, not impaired.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Many congratulations to you for staying clean and being honest with yourself and us......you deserve the best!

Let me tell you a little bit about my co-worker, whom I'll call Linda. She diverted drugs as well, was caught, served some jail time and a couple of years' probation........but while she was in rehab, she began working on herself, then when she was released she attended a 12-step meeting every day, and after a few years she finally earned a 'conditional' RN license, which allowed her to practice but not to pass narcotics for one year.

Today, Linda is a full-fledged member of our night shift staff, and has not only become a leader, she is now a charge nurse, and a good one. She has been clean and sober now for six years and counting......so if she can do it, so can you. :) She's an inspiration to everyone, even me, and I've been sober for over 13 years myself.

Best of luck to you! :p

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Mercytea,

LOL! I guess great minds think alike!

I like your avatar! I agree! Vote for BO!!!!!! Isn't he awesome! :smokin:

Jennie,

Looks like you've got lots of support here! I say go for it!

God bless,

Janie

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.
Thanks to all who have responded thus far. I am appreciative for your insights. I am seriously considering pursuing chemical dependency as a career choice. After all, I have been there and know all too well the horrors of drug addiction. And obviously, nurses are not 'above' becoming addicts! It is a disease. Never in a million years did I think it would happen to me, but it did. Now I feel empowered, not impaired.

You have a great attitude. I think a career in chemical dependency would be a great choice. You are empowered, with knowledge and insight that can only be gained by being through what you have been through. In a chemical rehab setting your restrictions would not hinder your practice at all. We all have stories in our past that make us better nurses. Good Luck, I'll be thinking of you.

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