Hi. I am new to the message board. I have been a RN for 13 years. Last year, after going through a difficult divorce & financial struggles, I became addicted to narcotics during a long battle with undiagnosed severe clinical depression. I began diverting drugs from the hospital and was caught by my employer. They recommended I report myself to IPN which is the states intervention program for nurses. I did so, & am now under a 5 year contract which includes 1 year of narcotic restriction at work. This means I can not have access to the narcotics or administer any narcotics to patients during that time. I have been clean over 6 months now & am doing well. I had returned to my previous job, but met with so much hostility & unkindness, that I am resigning. I am searching for a job at this time & must disclose my participation with IPN to a prospective employer before accepting an offer. I have interviewed with several places, but have not yet mentioned IPN to them because I have not received an offer. I do anticipate an offer soon from one of the hospitals & must disclose IPN to them. I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience & can give me some input.
Some tips here may at least point you in a direction. Also RealityRN.com Here is a typical post (not mine): Dont despair! There have been many nurses in your shoes who have found work. I am an administrative RN in a nursing home with about half of my 5 years of probation left to go. Honestly, I have a better job now than I have ever had even before I got in trouble.
A good place to try for work is at dialysis facilities (no narcs there, generally), the Red Cross, and long term care facilties. I advise that you sell yourself just like normal in interviews and AFTER you have impressed the interviewer with your knowledge, experience, etc, THEN tell them of your license status. No need for gory details & keep it simple & honest. Emphasize that you have dealt with your issues and are ready to be a productive worker now.
There is a good forum about recovering nurses on allnurses.com and there is a voy forum called Real Recovering Nurses that can offer you more advice & support.
Dont let your sense of shame defeat you and you WILL survive this crisis and remain a nurse. Good luck.
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From dying and surviving to living and thriving. LeeU
I'm not in your position but have had to find jobs since being arrested for a felony. My belief is that if the employer didn't want me upon learning of my status, it wasn't where I needed to work.
I know a lot of nurses in recovery and, to be honest, I don't know one who is NOT working as a nurse, despite IPN.
Keep the faith!!!
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The truth does not change based on my inability to stomach it - Flannery O'Connor
My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance and in inverse proportion to my expectations - Michael J. Fox
