thanks for the replys i recieved a certified letter yesterday from the idpr and have to appear in front of them on january 22 do i need a lawyer its so hard to be accountable for something while i was in my drug hazed coma. i know i have to be accountable for this do i admit everything do i make excuses we all know that addiction is an illness does that account for something im not sure if its all worth it. i would rather sweep it under the rug and never look back but i know someday i will have to face it. i feel that maybe nursing is not a good idea anymore for me. did you all feel that way and how did you come to your decision.
Hello! I tried to run from my past and for nearly 2 years truly believing that i never wanted to return to the nursing profession. I ignored letters, didn't show up to Board meetings, and the fate of my license went on without me. They made it tough for me to be able to return to the field, but the longer i had in "active recovery", the more i realized that i truly do miss nursing, and slowly became confident enough in myself and my ability/willingness not to relapse, that I began the process with the nursing boards. It just took some time to make the decision.
I never retained a lawyer, i do not know if that is beneficial or not. I knew my guilt and so did everyone else. i didn't feel like i was in a position to "bargain" with them about my future.
I would like to advise you to keep your recovery active, even while you are waiting or unsure. Keep attendence records of 12-step meetings (i was required 3/w), attend counseling, have your family Dr. put you on random drug screens. you will be likely to be ordered to do these things anyway if you want your license back, and this will help show that you are serious about your recovery and returning to work as a nurse.
In my not facing my issues with the Boards (i am currently working with both states i was licensed in ) the problem did grow and grow leading in the Office of the Inspector General getting involved, ultimately leading to me losing federal privedges (can't work anywhere for anyone that receives fed. money for their facility. ) I can't teach, scrub floors, nothing... Had i at least showed up for the board meetings i don't think that would have happened. Now not only do i have to prove to 2 nursing boards my head is out of my arse, i got to do the same with OIG.
I am now glad that i have begun this process, Even if it doesn't turn out the way i hope, or i never work as a nurse again. I know that i have been accountable for my actions and done the best i could.
good luck to you
***Mistakes are not a mark of failure, they are an opportunity to allow us to prove our strength.***