Recovering RNs reorienting to psych specialty?

krazykev · Dec 14, 2008

I think that once you explain yourself it could go better than you thought. Being in recovery myself, I have made a commitment to myself not to allow my addiction to define me as a person. So, from my perspective, I hope that you see your dreams through. What is the worst that could happen? The school says, "no." Then just apply to another school after that .

WoodchuckRN · Dec 14, 2008

Thanks for the optimistic feedback. You know, the fear of judgment and rejection among us is huge, since most of us sober up to become the most self-critical animals in existence. Dropping the baggage of guilt and shame takes years.

I'm 18 months from completing VA's 5-year monitoring program and, despite having a new monster of a boss, intend to stay in my current job for the duration, since I dread the interview process while under monitoring. The monitoring program itself, however, has been a God-send and perhaps even a life-saver. If only it didn't present such an issue to prospective employers, I'd consider signing up for another five years.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2008

I don't know what the admissions directors might say. It's hard to tell. You h ave a great hx for the last 2 1/2 years.. so that is something awesome that you have going for you. But, think about it before you tell them your history. Do you really want to put your admission to this program to chance? The chance that they might see through your problems and see how wonderful you've been for the last few years?

Congratulations on doing so well! I just wanted to talk about the downside of telling them.

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Dec 15, 2008

Hi, everyone.
I'm an RN x8 years, 2 1/2 years C&S as of December 3rd, and am exploring grad school options that will open doors to counseling and advance practice roles in mental health. Most of my work experience is in case management of medical inpatients, and it's amazing to me the parallels b/w recovering from substance abuse and facing end-of-life issues. No wonder addicts and the terminally ill are my two favorite patient populations!
Has anyone else here shifted to the psychosocial niche of nursing since entering recovery?
So I'm debating b/w an MSW and an MSN in psych-MH nursing. While I prefer the MSN route, I'm full of fear about the application process. I have stellar work history and references from the last 2.5 years of my life (amazing how that happens by JUST NOT USING). GPAs good, GREs good. The problem is that the first five years of my work history is fragmented - worked here for 6 months - entered recovery - worked elsewhere for another 8 - big gap again. Also, I have a DUI conviction from '04 that I must disclose on the application form.
The upshot is that I feel I must 'out' myself in the application essay - while explaining the resume gaps and DUI, it helps explain my professional ambitions. I envision one day writing about and researching addiction issues in the nursing and law enforcement professions - two industries in which substance abuse rates are high, but the incentives to self-disclose are few.
My question is: Will revealing all that in my application essay freak out the nursing admissions committee in such a way that makes them go "PASS"? I mean, how welcoming is the nursing establishment to recovering nurses among their ranks? Will they think to themselves, nice idea theoretically, but NOT AT OUR SCHOOL.
Thanks for reading this...

Hello, the psyc.social route was a interesting "safe" work area for me at 2 years......... I learned a lot, and did not have access as I did in critical care.

Re: revealing past history, your DUI was in 04, this is 08, almost 09 you obviously complied, learned from it, and did the things you needed to do. You do not have a DUI today.

Be honest, you are who you are today. None of us have anything but today. I anticipate it will not even initiate a "blep" on the process.

We beat ourselves up, like no one else can. We are hard on ourselves related to FORGIVING OUR SELVES !!! :redbeathe

It can be done, same steps same methods, we are entitled to the promises we find between the 8th and 9 th step.

sallyrnrrt/ 21yr.s C/S, but today is the only one that counts :wink2:

nurseboudin · Dec 24, 2008

I loved your posting.

If your recovery helped you realized your ambition to help others in similar situations, that will make you more of an asset to the field. Your personal experience can be a great asset to others - an asset that allows you understand your patient population much better. I personally have responded better to therapists and counselors who also have addictions (I am a recovering alcoholic.) In health care, though we are supposed to be non-judgemental, the stigma still exists. People who are passionate about their work and have first-hand knowledge can have a greatest impact. Your personal experience is, in my opinion, is what makes you a great candidate.

I would definitely disclose that part of your life that led you into pursuing higher education in that field. One of my peer assistance counselors was fired from every major hospital in the city (6) and lost his license for 3 years. Today he sits on the board of the peer assistance program in our state, is an LCDC, and works for a major psychiatric hospital as a director. He could never have acheived such success in his career without having had lost so much because of his addiction. Recovery makes a better life possible. He is proof of that. And so are you.

So maybe you have a few hiccups in your career on paper. Once you've embraced your recovery and made the committment to help others in similar situations, those hiccups only demonstrate how successful your recovery has been since getting sober. We need people like you - people who've been there. People that can lead by example and show those trying to recover that it is possible - regardless of the stigma.

Good luck and please keep us posted on how you're doing.

BrayaRN · Dec 24, 2008

Congrats on your 2.5 years! I am also in recovery, however, I got sober and then went to nursing school. My application to take the state boards addressed the question of alcohol/drug convictions so I had to disclose 3 MIPs. Thankfully, I was able to write them a truthful letter about how I had been sober in AA for over 3 years at the time. Although I was late in taking my boards because of the approval process, I did not have any difficulty receiving such approval.

As for your career goals, I completely understand them. I am currently working my first job on a telemetry floor but eventually want to work psych. My end ambition is to receive my PMHNP.

During my journey to get sober I attended more than one rehab center. I always had the most respect for the professionals that were in recovery themselves, just like how AA works.

I would imagine it would be hard to hide your past from the nursing schools. I am certain they would rather find out from you, than from doing a background check. Hopefully, they will understand what an asset you would be to the field.