Visitors to our little corner

Twoyearnurse · Jul 19, 2014

Here's my first thoughts (and it is always subject to change with new insights y'all offer). We come here, frightened, alone, and find honesty (sometimes brutal!), hope, and strength in each other. I even have had the pleasure of extanging phone numbers with another nurse here and what a relief that has been for me. The one thing about honesty though- we have learned to be able to take and accept brutal honesty because for us the cold hard truth is life saving. I can not count the times that someone has given me a brutal answer to a question (or even a feeling I've had) and at first I think "these people are so mean!" but quickly realize that it is the truth and I need to leave the pity party and keep moving on. If we wallow we will die- because really- I think many people under the stress we go through would falter, but fortunately we have each other to command us to get back up- to not sit in devastation too long. For our counterparts (those without addiction and without the rigors of a monitoring program) our brutal honesty i am sure comes off as just brutal, unwelcoming, crass. These are people we need as allies. I think it's great that people ccome through and read what we write- I do wish they would read many threads in order to get a greater view before asking questions. Our purpose here is to help each other- not educate the public (although it sure is nice when it does!) I am not opposed to answering questions via messaging, I also aam not opposed to having a thread open to answering questions that come through from the wanderers to our little corner. I do think when we don't extend the welcoming hand to visitors (while still gently reminding them that this is a recovery site, intended to promote health, happiness, hope) we alienate them from us. There is a chance that these folks have never met a nurse in recovery. People are generally tuned by a first impression.

1sttime · Jul 19, 2014

Welcome visitors- comments should be out of genuine curiosity- not because you want to preachy.

Chances are every nurse has met a nurse in recovery- you just didn't know it.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 20, 2014

Admin note - we want this to be a safe and supportive corner for those nurses in recovery. Please either report a thread or comment that is out of line or PM one of us and we can address it.

we do realize that many nurses may not be knowledgeable about recovery issues or state programs and while we welcome e comments and questions we expect that are terms of service will be honored also....

celesteanne · Jul 22, 2014

I have no issue with visitors here, as long as they play nice and don't try shaming others for their issues. I believe that there would be fewer diverters or addicted nurses if this whole topic was brought out into the light and talked about. It wasn't something that I EVER heard discussed when I was working. I believed that I was the only one with a problem and nurses who had been caught simply disappeared and were not heard from again other than the occasional bit of gossip. It needs to be talked about. Nurses need to know that there is help for them and they can turn things around before it's too late.

catebsn25 · Jul 26, 2014

Knowing that visitors often frequent this forum makes me feel hopeful that we actually can break down the shame, stigma and ignorance. And I believe that allowing others to ask questions and read these stories provides invaluable help and information. Love all you guys/girls!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jul 26, 2014

I believe that there would be fewer diverters or addicted nurses if this whole topic was brought out into the light and talked about. It wasn't something that I EVER heard discussed when I was working. I believed that I was the only one with a problem and nurses who had been caught simply disappeared and were not heard from again other than the occasional bit of gossip. It needs to be talked about. Nurses need to know that there is help for them and they can turn things around before it's too late.

I have been a coworker who has helped nurses with stips; yes, there is a stigma, however there are plenty who have no issues with it-at least this nurse.

I visit occasionally to support, more than anything else. :yes:

edmia, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2014

Honestly, the mobile app is what alerted me to this forum because on the What's New feed, everything shows up by time of posting. Also, the name of the forum it was posted on is in tiny font in a lighter tone, so sometimes it is missed -- especially if the post title is interesting.

I'm usually drawn to posts from this forum because they are very real, human experiences. Also, because I do not have experience with the recovery process and it intrigues me. I have learned a lot about stipulations and different approaches from this forum. As someone else mentioned, it is not a subject people are open about. I only met one nurse who had been caught diverting narcotics and his story was my idea of how things went down in general. He told about how wonderful his employer had been, how he went into inpatient rehab and was transferred to work within the same system as an addiction specialist. Never lost his job or benefits, it was like a fairy tale story. Now I realize he must have had stipulations from the BON too. Unless the employer handled it all in-house? I wish I'd known what to ask back then... He was giving a talk during orientation to encourage those with addiction issues to speak up and voluntarily enter the state program. Crazy! He never mentioned the legal aspect of dealing with the BON. He made the program sound like an understanding environment where if you self-reported you would be supported and not punished...

The stories of success are wonderful, although often I am left with anger towards the strictness and across the board mentality of the BONs. It seems the punishment is too harsh for the "crime" on many occasions.

Anyway, I appreciate the wisdom of this forum. Thank you all for sharing your experiences.

feb127 · Mar 9, 2016

I have no issue with visitors here, as long as they play nice and don't try shaming others for their issues. I believe that there would be fewer diverters or addicted nurses if this whole topic was brought out into the light and talked about. It wasn't something that I EVER heard discussed when I was working. I believed that I was the only one with a problem and nurses who had been caught simply disappeared and were not heard from again other than the occasional bit of gossip. It needs to be talked about. Nurses need to know that there is help for them and they can turn things around before it's too late.

Exactly!

Nature_walker, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2016

I've been a visitor here for a bit now. I enjoy reading your stories because they are so real, so human, and so honest. I'm highly impressed with the support you show one another. I honestly started visiting here because I was curious about the topic. We have learned about the topic of additions/ diverting in class and I thought by coming here I could learn more about it. What I have found here is some really amazing nurses who are willing to share their stories to help educate visitors like me.

Emergent, RN · Mar 17, 2016

I read the threads that pop up on my new posts feed with interest. I don't comment because as an outsider to the experience, I don't feel it's my place. It's not a place to debate, criticize or rattle on with ones opinions. I hope it helps those who need it and is a safe place.

HarleyGrandma, RN, EMT-B · Mar 17, 2016

I began reading here when I decided to return to college. Like other posters above: I found myself really drawn to the open, honest, human experience that so many of you have shared. I find myself cheering for your recovery, worrying about some of your stumbles, and I'm in tears some days in pain for you. I know I'm entering my nursing experience much wiser because of what I've learned here.