reported to board

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I was fired, reported to board for diversion.   recently accepted into an assistance program,  just signed up with affinity however,  account isn't active yet as they are waiting for paperwork from the board.  I feel defeated before I even start this journey.   isolated. ashamed and feeling so anxious about what will come next.   any suggestions?  currently out of work as I resigned from current position because of my restrictions.   thanks for reading 

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just looking for advice from anyone who has traveled this road

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

As my daddy used to say "There's a whole world of people just waiting to kick you in the behind, so don't be so hard on yourself"

This is a good place to come for support and I will discuss with you here or by PM if you want but I am headed off to bed,

Hppy

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Hello,

Myself and 3 other people who I have met so far in this journey all did the same thing you did.  We are all happily working as nurses again.  Unfortunately, we are in the monitoring program, but things are going well and I even just got accepted into NP school!  Hang in there.  It might feel rough now, but I promise it will get better.  If you need to talk more DM me!  

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Yes! All of that.  The start is sooo scary.  You have it though.  As a friend in my nursing support says, “one foot in front of the other.”I’ve been through the same, and am happily in a great nursing job.  That shame will bring you down, but no everyone has it, we all just deal with it differently.  You’re not a bad person, you may have done bad things, but you’re not a bad person.  Keep your head up, and do the next right thing.  That’s all you can do!

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
1 hour ago, Indiana said:

Yes! All of that.  The start is sooo scary.  You have it though.  As a friend in my nursing support says, “one foot in front of the other.”I’ve been through the same, and am happily in a great nursing job.  That shame will bring you down, but no everyone has it, we all just deal with it differently.  You’re not a bad person, you may have done bad things, but you’re not a bad person.  Keep your head up, and do the next right thing.  That’s all you can do!

I'm not sure if this is hazelton or AA but I heard it said that addicts and alcoholics are not bad people, they are sick people who desperately need to get well.

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thanks for the encouraging words.   I'm just really scared of finding employment again.  I'm so ashamed of what happened and haven't figured out how to tell potential employers regarding my restrictions.   thoughts?

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5 hours ago, bboy45 said:

Hello,

Myself and 3 other people who I have met so far in this journey all did the same thing you did.  We are all happily working as nurses again.  Unfortunately, we are in the monitoring program, but things are going well and I even just got accepted into NP school!  Hang in there.  It might feel rough now, but I promise it will get better.  If you need to talk more DM me!  

thanks so much for the encouraging words.   what kind of nursing job did you get?  I don't even know where to start

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Hey! We are here for you! This group has been my saving grace! Dialysis places are monitoring friendly! I’ve also read rehabs and LTC are a good place to try!

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thank you for that information.   I'll start looking into it.   so, do you tell them during interview that you are in a monitored program?  do they ask why?  just trying to figure this all out 

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I am doing dialysis now.  I think it is the easiest job to get when you’re in monitoring and they don’t have narcotics so for me, it was nice to be in an environment where I didn’t have to be around them until I got healthy.  It also pays well too.  

I wouldn’t worry just yet about what you are going to say to employers until you get the okay to start looking.  Trust me when I say that as you accumulate days of sobriety, go to AA meetings, and test negative a few times, you will feel less ashamed and more confident in the work you have put in to change your life.  I did mention in my interview that I was in a monitoring program and that I had a “history of substance abuse” but I quickly followed it up with all I have done to get myself better and how this experience has made me a better person and a nurse.  It’s about being vulnerable and honest, but also protecting yourself and your sobriety.  They don’t need to know everything and you certainly don’t have to tell them everything.  You feel bad - and that means you are a good person who knows right from wrong.  Give yourself a break and like one person said, you did something bad, but you are not a bad person.  I don’t even think about it anymore.  When I first got sober I thought about it at least once or twice a day and would cringe, but now, 2 years later, I think “Oh that was a dumb thing I did, but it was 2 years ago.”  It no longer defines my life or is the dark cloud over me.  Smile, you are going to be okay.  Just STAY SOBER.  Including alcohol.  You are going to have to prove to yourself and your monitoring program and your board that you know you messed up and that you will abstain from all mind altering substances in order to be a nurse again.  

 

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Women's Health, LTC.
9 hours ago, bridget044 said:

 so, do you tell them during interview that you are in a monitored program?  do they ask why?  just trying to figure this all out 

YES!  Most monitoring contracts (at least the ones I have heard of from others here) specifically state that you MUST disclose in the interview process.  

My CM wrote me a brief letter outlining the stips I had and how long I have been in and when it is expected to end.  She also mentioned that I was totally compliant to date. 

Being up front and honest was the best way for me. Hold your head high and let them know that it has made you a better person and a better nurse.  I chose to remain in LTC for the duration of my contract.  In all honesty, I like the hours a lot better anyway!

LTC, dialysis, psych hospitals, and even some free standing ER's have been very monitoring friendly.

Hang in there, you have got this!

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