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Four years ago, I notified the State Board that I made a personal decision to enter an in-patient rehab to put an end to an out of character increase in my
use of ETOH. I was given the advice that I needed to make this notification from a confidential conversation I had with a new human resources person at
the hospital where I was employed. I was not an impaired nurse, just a
woman who made a conscious decision to put an abrupt end to a short lived
use of ETOH as a poor solution to coping during a particularly stressful period of my life. I left rehab sober but humilated by the experience. My ego was shattered, my self confidence was destroyed. I was foggy from the drugs they prescribed for anxiety but determined to stay the course and put my
life back in order. My experience with a so called "counselor" from the State
Board was so impersonal and harsh. She didn't care one bit about my story or the fact the no one at the hospital where I worked (except for the inexperienced human resources person) was aware of my personal attempt at
self improvement. She was cold and stoic in her directives of what I had to do to preserve my liscense. Since I already was continuing in an outpatient program that was intense and time consuming, the list of obligations and additional meetings, the restrictions in my practice, and the foreseeable
humiliation I would have to endure led me to walk away from my job and nursing. The punishment seemed too disproportionate to the crime.
Being a stay at home mom has been so great. I have maintained my sobriety,
done alot of volunteering for activities my children are involved in, and continue weekly therapy for my own self growth. I do however, miss being the nurse I was and would seriously love to return to my career. I know now I am better than ever and so ready to take whatever steps are necessary to make this possible. I would be so greatful for any advice or feedback from all nurses.
Four years ago, I notified the State Board that I made a personal decision to enter an in-patient rehab to put an end to an out of character increase in my
use of ETOH. I was given the advice that I needed to make this notification from a confidential conversation I had with a new human resources person at
the hospital where I was employed. I was not an impaired nurse, just a
woman who made a conscious decision to put an abrupt end to a short lived
use of ETOH as a poor solution to coping during a particularly stressful period of my life. I left rehab sober but humilated by the experience. My ego was shattered, my self confidence was destroyed. I was foggy from the drugs they prescribed for anxiety but determined to stay the course and put my
life back in order. My experience with a so called "counselor" from the State
Board was so impersonal and harsh. She didn't care one bit about my story or the fact the no one at the hospital where I worked (except for the inexperienced human resources person) was aware of my personal attempt at
self improvement. She was cold and stoic in her directives of what I had to do to preserve my liscense. Since I already was continuing in an outpatient program that was intense and time consuming, the list of obligations and additional meetings, the restrictions in my practice, and the foreseeable
humiliation I would have to endure led me to walk away from my job and nursing. The punishment seemed too disproportionate to the crime.
Being a stay at home mom has been so great. I have maintained my sobriety,
done alot of volunteering for activities my children are involved in, and continue weekly therapy for my own self growth. I do however, miss being the nurse I was and would seriously love to return to my career. I know now I am better than ever and so ready to take whatever steps are necessary to make this possible. I would be so greatful for any advice or feedback from all nurses.