Impaired nurses

Hello to all. I am new to this site and I'm so glad to find it. I haven't found a topic though that plagues alot of nurses;which is substance abuse. I became addicted to pain medication while working on an orthopedic floor in 1998 and began diverting pain medication from the hospital. Eventually, (thank God) I was intervened upon and suspended from work pending a psych eval. I went to treatment for a total of 7 months. Now, I am in a state monitoring program that watches me very closely. I am just now getting back into the work force, and it is so hard to tell these potiential employers about my past, even a little embarrassing. I was just wanting some feedback from some others out there? Their experiences? Stories?

May God Bless You in your recovery. Your experience is not as uncommon as we would like to think. Drugs can take hold of the best of people but above everything, always be honest about your past. If you are honest at the start of your interview you will stand a better chance of getting the job. Do No Lie! You say you are returning to the work force and where might that be? How have you been received so far? What do you think about your drug addiction now? I wish you all the best and keep us posted.

God bless you for realizing that you needed help.
As said before, it's not as uncommon as people think it is.
Knowing you needed to stop this behavior was the first step.
Just do your very best, and you'll come through. I agree with not lying, that just adds to the troubles. Take documentation with you to any interview and show them that you have been through a treatment program.
I went through an Alcohol treatment program a few years back and I showed documentation of completion to almost everyone who had to know (as far as being job related). It hasn't stopped me for advancment, and it won't stop you.
Good Luck!

Addictions have never been my problem but emotional problems have been the thorn in my side, I was a battered child , and adult for many years. I have been inpatient several times. I have always been open with my employers. Once I had to see a psychiatrist from a facility I wanted to work.After two sessions he wrote a wonderful letter for my employer stating "Because of her problems she will be a very good nurse." I really needed that at that time. I still feel good when I recall the letter. Nurses don't always eat their young as I was told when I started out. Glad to have you here.

looking at this problem from a non clinical point of view, no matter what you do in life, stuff happens, and admitting it is or has happened to you is a major feat in itself. But then comes the part where we as a society, need to put those things aside , and let them get on with thir lives. And offer support wherever and however we can.

I decided long ago, It's OK for awhile to see what others have done too you and blame them, BUT if a person does not move on from there and improve things It is their fault, and know one else's. It's not what happened to us that counts as much in the end as what we do from then on that count. God Bless us all. Judyd

Thanks for the input guys. There was a question about my recovery. I have a good recovery program and I'm coming up on 3 years clean in Jan. I went for a job interview on
Wednesday for a physicians office. I have to tell any potiential employer of my past. Well, my interview went beautiful. The office manager that interviewed me shared with me that her daughter was in active addiction. It was really touching and I did not feel any less than (something I thought I might experience) when sharing with potiential employers. Anyway,I will know tomorrow if I have the job. It sounded really hopeful, but, if I don't get it, then God has something else for me.
The reason I wrote this post though was to get addicted nurses to talk about this taboo subject or at least plant some seeds. I know I can't be the only nurse with addictions. Let's face it nurses, we pick this profession because we are co-dependant to begin with. I know this girl has ISSUES. You guys have a blessed and wonderful evening. Prayers to you, Rita

good luck. I hope you get the job!

there aren't very many nurses in the forum but it is growing slowly but steady.

Your right, not many nurses. But are a lot of us who are at the beginning of this journey. And will be here as we do our pre-requisits, and as we go thru school. Learning from what all of ya'll have gone thru before us. YYYYYYYEEEEEEEHHHHHHHAAAAAAAWWWWWW only 2 1/2 years to go, but whose counting.

Jerry

Hello Everyone,

Found a few articles online that explain a lot about nurses with drug problems. Thought I'd share:

The Impaired Nurse, Nursingspectrum.com:"When Ralph, a postanesthesia care unit (PACU) nurse, reports to work 30 minutes late one Monday morning, you note that his usual morning tankard of coffee-in-hand is missing. Upon questioning, you detect the scent of alcohol. Because you believe Ralph doesn't have a drinking problem, you simply wonder what mouthwash or aftershave carries such a strong scent."
http://nsweb.nursingspectrum.com/ce/ce153.htm

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Recognizing Drug-Seeking Behavior, Nursing Spectrum.com:"It's 3 AM, Sunday, when the triage bell sounds. It's Linda, a 37-year-old patient, well-known to emergency department (ED) staff, complaining about her "usual" migraine. Of course, she has a "bad one that Imitrex won't touch." And the latest neurologist she saw "just doesn't understand my condition and won't give me medication that works.
http://nsweb.nursingspectrum.com/ce/ce210.htm


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Impaired Nurses Bibliography, Alcohol And Drug Abuse Institute (ADAI):
http://depts.washington.edu/adai/lib/bibs/sp_302.htm


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Narcotic Use and Diversion in Nursing, Mandy L. Hrobak, University of North Carolina Charlotte:"Narcotic use and diversion in nursing is a growing problem that may be difficult to identify. Clinical indicators can help managers and staff become knowledgeable about signs and symptoms. Areas related to job performance, personality/mental status, and diversion are looked at as indicators. Workplace access and deviant work group norms can contribute to the picture. Certain methods of diversion may be hard to detect. Institutions need to be prepared to handle incidences of narcotic use and diversion before they occur. Policies can help provide for positive outcomes for the institution and the nurse, should she/he decide to receive treatment. Patient safety is of the utmost concern. A supportive environment is important for reentry of the rehabilitated nurse at work. Alcohol and drug dependency are covered under the American Disability Act of 1990. Assistance programs, education, and further research are needed in this area."
http://juns.nursing.arizona.edu/articles/Fall%202002/hrobak.htm


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Nurses in Recovery:"This list began mainly for recovering nurses. Since then all recovering health care professionals are welcome to join and participate. The only requirement is that the participant be a health care professional and be in recovery or have a desire to be in recovery from drug addiction, alcoholism, gambling, codependency... any obsessive compulsive addictive process."
http://www.tktucker.net/nir/


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Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com

I have been looking for so long to see if anyone out there has advice. When I read your email I almost cried to know I have a fellow nurse out there that shares my problem. My best friend, brother and Dad died within 3 months of each other in 2002. I began using pain medications for an elbow that I broke falling at work around that same time. I was reported for sloppy charting, went to treatment and now have 2 years(clean)I am so ready to go back to work. But I must admit I'm scared. Not of the addiction, but of returning to work. This is the only area I feel this great shame. Do you have any pointers for me???????????? I would love to hear any advice about returning to work.
Bettyl

Hello, I have been clean now for 1 year 4 months . I had to quit my agency job and am now unemployed b/c of my consent order and not being able to administer narcotics. I am recieving unemployment and has been for a while. I am catching hell trying to find a job. I have been turned down about 13 to 14 times. I donot know what I am going to do for money. I donot see what good a nursing liscens is when you cannot find a job.I did apply for a job outside of nursing that pays nothing that I am used to paying my bills from.I just feel that I might as well giveup nursing because I have to make a living. I had no idea that this profession would just turn their back on you.I am sooooo worried that I donot know what to do next.

I can't remember if I replied to this or not so bear with me. I have been clean and sober for two and a half years and am ready to go back to work. I have hit walls all so in a profession that is suppose to be CARE givers. I guess one thing it has taught me is to be more compassionate towards the DISEASE of addiction. Good luck and I will be thinking of and praying for both of us

well im not sure if this will help anyone here or not, but here goes. in 1968 i suffered in a coma for 32 days, the Dr's then said that i would never make anything of my life. well about five years ago my dr's finally put me on alprozam. well now i have the best job i havew ever had working as security officer for a large hospital. the people here love my new attutide and love being around me just because i havea great personally, but take away my alprozam and im a huge monster than no one want to even see let alone be around....i guess it just goes to prove that a littlte drugs can do great thing when used properly....drugs and achol are for people who need help coping with some of the " NORNMAL PEOPLE" we deal with everyday " I CAN'T NEVER COULD DO A DARN THING" realundertaker

I was caught diverting after only working for 5 months. I was not intelligent enough to just admit I had a problem. I was confronted by my supervisor and I just wouldn't admit it. If I had, I would have been ok and gotten thru everything much better. I chose to deny, deny, deny... I got prosecuted for diversion. I voluntarily entered the Health Professional Recovery Program, I would have been sent there by the state board. I was in the program for 5 years. I admitted my problem to my other employer, and they were willing to work with me. It was very hard to tell everyone I worked with that I had a substance abuse problem, but once I got past that, it was actually not as bad as I was making myself think it would be. I had to be restricted from passing controlled meds for 6 months, and they were willing to go along with it. I had to tell everyone I worked with in every unit I floated to. There were some that made me feel less than accepted, but most had known me for a while and accepted me. They actually supported me. I have been clean since 11/19/1997. I have worked in critical care, skilled home health (vents and such) and now Occ Health. I also went to NA and a health prof support group/12 step and there were pharmacists, dentists, nurses and doctors there. This is way more prevalent than most people think. Any how, to get to my point, it is so much better if you can get up the courage to admit you have an issue, and get past that. Honesty would have really been a lot better. But even though I did it the hard way, I am still a nurse, and love what I do. Give your colleagues a chance. You'll be surprised how supportive most will be. There will be those that won't be, but screw them. It's their problem if they act that way, not yours. Easy does it, one day at a time

ps. It's either clean and sober or not. there is no acceptable amount you can take, or drink. If you're not able to be honest with yourself, don't expect anyone else to be.

Well this is what I was searching the net for...some other nurses who were dealing with addiction, recovery programs, what happens in different states, job seeking (post) suspension, and of course to share my story and help others if they need moral support. I started taking pain medications for an infected tooth which finally had to be pulled. The tooth was gone but the 'good feeling' I got as well as pain relief had me hooked. Of course I thought I could stop but after a few attempts there was no doubt I was in full addiction mode. I worked at a private Catholic facillity where medications were not closely monitored. Pills that is...we did not use IV meds. I had passed these same pills for 3 years before I had taken them. As it goes the same number of pills did not give me the high and so I had to take more and more. The pharmacy began questioning reorders. The whole nursing staff was alerted and the pharmacy was calling in the police to do an investigation.
I was the only nurse that floated between skilled, semi- skilled and dementia floors and the meds were missing from my areas so I was approached on a Friday eve during my shift. The administration were meeting and the DON had come to get me and give me a chance to turn myself in as it seemed I was the guilty party. The situation was tense. Of course I was using at the time she approached and I lied to her and the administrators. They respected my word...said they were glad it was not me and were apologetic in their accusation. I left that night and sat out on my deck till 4 am looking at all of my alternatives. I still felt as though I had choices where my addictive behavior was concerned. I had not come to the truth of the situation as I was in that good old denial.
I was a loved nurse and received so much positive feedback and good will from my residents that it seemed I must be now in some sort of dream state and not a good dream either. The possibility of being investigated and prosecuted was just too scarey .On Monday I went in...sat at the DON's office till she came in and confessed. That was it. No more job...and I had no idea what to do.

14 months have passed since this happened. I am now looking for a job that is not in healthcare. I am having a difficult time getting past my guilt and fear of returning to this place of employment. I live in a different town. But I have to have a reference from my last employment and I have to see the DON before I can fill out job applications.

This is where I am today. I am sharing just a glimpse of the experience which is ongoing. I do have a group each week of 3 other nurses who are in rcovery. That group is great but they are not with me when I have to face my day to day fears.
My family means well but they do not personally understand addiction. I am looking for others who can relate to my situation and to hear from other nurses who have had experiences in this area.
Thanks to all

I have no personal experience with this; I have never had an addiction problem. I have worked with nurses who have, though, most of whom I would never have suspected at all. These people come from all walks of life and for whatever reason find themselves in this sort of trouble. Congratulations to you for your bravery in confronting your problem. I hope you find that prospective employers will accept your honesty and respect you for that. I can only guess what I would do, but I suppose I would just have to be truthful and accept that for some employers this may be too big an issue for them to care to take on. I am hopeful you will find a good fit for you in your professional career.

My name is Karen Welles and I am a reporter at WPXI TV in Pittsburgh, PA--I am working on a special report on the recovery of nurses addicted to prescription drugs, and I am looking to interview a nurse in the Pittsburgh area who is in recovery or who has gone through recovery. I can protect anyone's identity (face, name, voice). If you can help, please email me at kwelles@wpxi.com
Thank you,
Karen Welles

I HEAR YOU!! I have taken medication since I was 3 years old and will forever. My liver, kidneys and except for my arthritic bones the rest is working fine. Even narcotics are not a bad thing IF taken for pain not to get stoned or to run away from things. I am an advocate for medication treatment because it works and seems not many people think that way.

On another subject. Nurses need more emotional support than they wish to believe and physically hospital nursing kicks your butt and can be hard on you. Diversion is a bad thing to do but it is not something to condemn yourself for. We need to heal and find the real reason for the addiction and what brought us there to begin with. :luck:

Does anyone know if there is a website that names all the states with impaired nursing programs? Thanks and good luck to you all!!

this website is very useful to know about the jobs in nursing.you must give some additional about us.
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jim
Comprehensive resources for those looking for recovery from addiction. ADDICTION RECOVERY and TREATMENT PROGRAMS for Resources and Research on Drug and Alcohol Rehab and Treatment Centers.

Hi to eveyone,

I am new to this site. Last week, I was intervened with diverting narcotics from my facility. I knew it was comming and I know now, that it would happen. It was a matter of when. I didn't deny my actions, and am headed for Rehab. My story begin in ICU. It only took one time, that I had unknowinly brought home in my pocket, 1mg of Diludid. I suffer from degenerative disk disease in my L5-S1. This particular night, when I discovered I had pain medication, I took it. Well, to sum it up, that is all it took. I found a new way to control my pain after a long 12-hr shift. You see, I am also a recovering alcoholic and have been sober for nearly 2 years. What I did was replace one drug for another. I was estatic to see a site where I didn't feel alone. I am ready to face whatever I need to get clean and stay sober.

Grace

Welcome Grace,

I had a fusion from L3 - S1 for spondylolisthesis. Became addicted to my pain meds and ended up mainlining fentanyl and sufentanil.

Things can and will get better. You are not a bad person. Addiction is a brain disease. If and when you are ready for some extra reading material, contact me and I'll email you some excellent articles.

I have only been a nurse for two years, and sadly i have already gotten my license on probation. i recently had to voluntarily surrender my license. i am young and have made some mistakes. i am trying to stay positive and move forward with my life. i love nursing and hope to reapply for my license in a year. i am in recovery now, and im doing great!! my question is about what kind of jobs im allowed to do. now i am working in an eye clinic in the business office. i am interested in being a tech in this office but i dont know if it is allowed. what are the laws? can a nurse with no license still be a tech? what does that fall under?? i just dont know where to go to find these answers. PLEASE HELP. thank you
sarah

Hi Sarah,

First, let me say congratulations on your recovery! Are you attending support groups? Do you have a monitoring contract with the board of nursing? Are you documenting anything and everything regarding your treatment and recovery (random drug screens, meeting attendance, employer quarterly evaluations, etc.)?

Most state boards of nursing have a web site and many publish the nurse practice act online. Many of your questions might be answered there. You can find a listing of state boards of nursing on these two sites:

National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
https://www.ncsbn.org/515.htm

A complete listing of state boards of nursing from ALL Nursing Schools
Complete List of State Nursing Boards (State Boards of Nursing)

Another consideration. Does your state have a nursing association? They may be able to help you with your questions or put you in contact with those who can.

If a job has a title (i.e., "tech"), their may be regulations established by your state that describes the requirements for that job. Contact the attorney general or professional licensing board in your state.

Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

imn2nursing wrote:Hello to all. I am new to this site and I'm so glad to find it. I haven't found a topic though that plagues alot of nurses;which is substance abuse. I became addicted to pain medication while working on an orthopedic floor in 1998 and began diverting pain medication from the hospital. Eventually, (thank God) I was intervened upon and suspended from work pending a psych eval. I went to treatment for a total of 7 months. Now, I am in a state monitoring program that watches me very closely. I am just now getting back into the work force, and it is so hard to tell these potiential employers about my past, even a little embarrassing. I was just wanting some feedback from some others out there? Their experiences? Stories?

Welcome and know that you are not alone There are many of us here and we all try to support eachother. My story is posted here for many. The board has been sort of quiet lately but it runs in cycles. I know what you mean and I struggled with how I would present my past to prospective employers. In the end I got the first job I applied for and I was just honest and open.
I have been there almost 4 years know and God willing I will graduate from the Diversion program in October.

Welcome again

Hppy