Hi Karen, I'm not sure how it works in Florida but the contract they want you to sign for monitoring and meetings is fairly standard for nurses in recovery. Remember that the LPN and RN Boards are charged with public safety and that's why they put so many restrictions on us. Of course it never hurts to have a second assessment of your case so I would encourage you to do so. Also be prepared - here in California an LPN in recovery often finds him/herself in a whole new monitoring program when they become an RN. A friend of mine who is 13 years sober is currently in her 7th year of monitoring.
In any case the monitoring isn't that big a deal if you're already doing the right things like staying sober, working with a sponsor, attending meetings etc...
When you go to look for work only you can decide when to tell your prospective employer. Some say to wait until you have a job offer others say to let them know up front. I purposely sought out a Diversion friendly hospital. Something like 15% of the nurses at my Facility are in recovery, so it wasn't a big deal to them. Substance abuse/dependence is a huge problem in our field and most employers know that. They also know that with the way we are monitored we are less likely to be a problem to them than the addicts and alcoholics they don't know about.
My advice is to accept the monitoring and remember "Easy Does it!" Moves and job changes are very stressful and it's really easy to set ourselves up for relapse. Take one day at a time.
Peace and Namaste
Suzanne
Happy, grateful, recovering alcoholic,addict and oh so CO