terminated RN

I am unsure whether your employer's suggestion to self report is worth considering. If you haven't done so, I would strongly suggest that you retain and discuss this with counsel, preferably one with experience in handling diversion cases with the BON. And always remember, the BON, regardless of what they might tell you, does not have your interests in mind.

Wishing you the best of luck as you move forward.

This is showing up in the NC nursing, not recovery nursing (?)

What state?

Hello and welcome. Please try and breathe i know its difficult right now. Remember these points:

Your life is not over.

It is almost 100% certain you'll keep your license providing youre ready and willing to recover.

Youre not alone.

I also advise that you retain counsel who is experienced in healthcare law. I wish that i had. That is the best resource as to if you should self report or not. DO NOT speak to the board without counsel. Trust us, just don't do it.

Tell us a bit about yourself and situation. What state are you in?

There are thousands of us out here- My board of nursing uses a matrix of mitigating (good) and aggravating (bad) circumstances. Reporting to the board before getting caught is the most mitigating, followed by calling the board after getting caught but before the employer calls, followed by the employer calling and the board contacting you, finally the board contacting you and getting no response.

The last action (or inaction) would lead to the board suspending your license or revoking by default.

I retained an attorney who wanted to fight the board, I clearly told him I just wanted to have someone guide me through the process. His services were $1000. The second attorney I spoke with during a free 1 hour consult gave me the advice that the board makes the rules, and that I needed to get involved in a treatment program right away, and show that I was taking steps to address my illness.

Treatment options in my state- I had to go to a board approved evaluator (There is a list). I went to an independent evaluator- he diagnosed chemical dependency and recommended outpatient treatment. I went to an approved treatment provider- they also did an evaluation. As they offered inpatient treatment they recommended inpatient treatment. I did not need inpatient treatment (I had detoxed by this point, and did not have access to my drug of choice). I went to a third treatment provider who did not offer inpatient, and was recommended to outpatient treatment.

Because the first attorney had recommended that I wait until the board made a decision before doing anything, I almost lost my license for not engaging in treatment and taking my condition seriously. It also delayed my entry into the non-disciplinary program by 9 months.

If you have the option, do everything you can to enter the non-disciplinary program. If you are placed on probation with all the details available to public view its not the end, it just is another hurdle to your recovery.

I am now 91 days and 7 hours from graduating- my opinion is that the BON is not your friend, but the program they have set up can be better than the alternative, and in the end I am glad I was caught before I died, or before I made an error that harmed someone else. It sucks to have the ability to choose treatment taken away- but really that choice was never there while I was addicted.

Its going to be hard, but try to get another job (preferably one with healthcare benefits). Most jobs will seem beneath your skills, and those that are not the employer will wonder why an RN would want to leave such a good paying job.

Anyway- first things first- you will be ok (it will take a while to feel this way)- take one step at a time- focus on what is right in front of you. First take some steps to preserve your name and license with the board by taking care of your illness.

Post often, ask for help, do not be ashamed of your illness. You can get through this.

Self reporting is always better. Waiting for the board to come knocking is simply painful. When they do come your case becomes public most of the time. Self referral avoids this. As a nurse you have seen patients fight back from some dire situations. Have faith you can do the same. Monitoring programs have saved many lives. They are not fun but neither is chemo. Take a breath, say a prayer, you can do this.

You have been given very sound advice especially from 1sttime. Cannot emphasize enough how important it is to carefully choose a facility for your evaluation. If the facility is associated with an inpatient program, you can put dollars to donuts that is what you will be recommended for. If you feel you need that or would benefit from it, by all means go for it. But if not, choose a place that only has outpatient programs. I'm so thankful for this forum as I was able to heed this advice.

Take a couple deep breaths. You can get through this. You can make it to the other side a better person and nurse. I am so happy in my life now- two years ago I couldn't have even imagined it.

Does your state have a confidential monitoring program? If so I recommend calling them, not the board- they are two separate entities. If you are guilty and ready to get help this will help, but it will not be easy or cheap. BUT it's better than having a discipline or worse on your license forever.

If you provide your employer or the board with proof that you have enrolled in monitoring and this is your first time they will likely leave it at that, at least in my state.

Consulting a lawyer even just once could help you but I understand not everyone has access to funds for this. If you do, make sure the lawyer is experienced in nurse license issues.

Beg, borrow (dont steal) to get the funds for a consult with a lawyer. With some internet searching you could even find one whos initial consult is free. You wouldn't go into a surgical procedure without a surgeon would you? Dont go into a legal matter (which is exactly what this is) without at least having spoken with a lawyer experienced in these matters.