When to bring up recovery program?

[OTOE]

After receiving a second DUI, I have been a volunteer participant (to keep my license) in a nurse recovery program for the past 16 months. Currently I am seeking new job. I interviewed for an offce position, though I did not bring up the issue of my program. The company, not a hospital, promotes diversity, inclusion, and is an "equal opportunity employer". I wrote an anonymous email to a recruiter for another company and he stated that whether to hire a nurse who is in a recovery program is up to the manager. I feel my interview went really well, but I am nervous about broaching this topic. Any insight would be appreciated.

[abbnurse]

Hi OTOE,

I was interwiewing a potential new employee (nurse) with my manager, and one of the first things out of the interviewee's (sp?) mouth was that she was in a recovery program, in compliance with the board of nursing. She said she just wanted to get it out in the open, up front. Well, we loved her and really appreciated that she was so forthright in telling us. I admired her very much for that, as I'm sure she had some apprehension about it. Though she ended up not taking job ($), I have never forgotten her. Good luck to you.

P.S. btw, there are a lot of folks "out there" who have a lot of empathy for those who are recovering. You just never know when you might be talking to a kindred soul.

[ehooper80]

I would HIGHLY suggest bringing it up early in the interview. I wouldn't mention it the very first thing, but I have always mentioned it early enough in the interview so that I did not waste their time or my time if they were not interested.

I don't say I'm in recovery first thing because I don't want that to be the main factor they think of about me... but I do want to be honest and let them know early enough that it doesn't appear like I'm hiding it.

Good luck in your quest!