Getting Started | Getting Started |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Friday, 02 June 2006 | |
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As a nurse who has a problem, or if you even THINK you have a problem, you must remove yourself from patient care. Once you have relieved yourself of your duties you must get professional help immediately. If you have chosen to not tell your employer about your problem, take medical leave and begin your treatment. TREATMENTThe first step in beginning any treatment program is to get an evaluation by a certified addiction specialist. They will help you detirmine what type of program would be most beneficial for you and your situation. Your options usually involve one of three programs:
Either before your formal treatment begins or soon after, you will need to begin attending 12 step meetings. Alcoholics Anyonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are two programs that follow the same 12 step format. You should attend the one that is most appropriate for your situation. Many narcotic abusers also struggle with alcohol and choose to attend AA meetings only; it's totally up to you, your situation and where you feel most comfortable. Whether you attend AA or NA meetings both recommend you do "90 in 90", or 90 meetings in 90 days. It seems overwhelming at first but don't get discouraged. Many new addicts find the time at meetings an important time for fellowship - there is never a shortage of people that understand what they are going through at the meetings. I recommend you take a friend with you to an open or beginners meeting the first time you visit. Once you make it to your first meeting, it's so important to start meeting people your first day. You will be suprised at how many people will introduce themselves. Take this oportunity to get phone numbers and ask questions. Also, this would be a great time to gather pamphlets and any books available. You can find local AA and NA chapters and meetings in your area by following the Crisis link on the home page of Recovering Nurses. There is also a nation wide program called Celebrate Recovery which is a step study and support group for people with a variety of problems, including addiction. It is a Christian based recovery program that does not believe in the generic Higher Power of the secular AA and NA programs. Most people who participate in CR groups also attend AA or NA meetings. You can find web links to AA, NA and CR under the Links section of this site. Finally, you need to find a professional counselor that can act as your advocate throughout your recovery. This is very important. Many of us before you hired and fired several counselors before finding the right one. It is important that you feel comfortable and trust this person so don't settle for just anyone. LEGAL ISSUES You may be approached, before or during your inital recovery, by hospital management or members of the law enforcement. Depending on your situation you may have to deal with the DEA, the State Bureau of Investigation or Attorney Generals office, or local detectives. Ask if you can delay any meetings or statements until after you have started recovery. In either case, do not verbally admit to anything or sign anything without legal representation. Many areas now have nurse attorneys but you might be better off by hiring a good criminal attorney. You need to interview both before you decide. If possible, ask around at your local 12 step meetings or online in forums. Do not be fooled by your employer, the board or the investigators. YOU NEED REPRESENTATION. It will never hurt you to have an attorney, but not having one can result in serious legal ramifications. If it's decided that charges will be brought against you one of several things may happen.
THE BOARD OF NURSING If your employer has been made aware of your problem they have probably notified the BON in your state. Usually it takes a couple of weeks for the board to receive the complaint and contact you. I cannot stress enough the importance of requesting a face to face meeting with whomever contacts you. The BON may offer to handle the business over the phone or by mail, but remember your entire career depends on this meeting. Schedule a meeing and bring legal counsel with you. If this is your first violation, you can expect to be offered to enter an Alternative Program or a PEER program. With these programs you will sign a contract that outlines:
Some people decide to not pursue protection of their license immediately after beginning recovery. Instead of applying for entrance into an alternative or peer program, they simply surrender their license. Depending on your state BON and your situation, you will have your license suspended and your case will be a matter of public record. When, and if, you decide to return to practice you will then have to prove your efforts/success of sobriety and begin the monitoring process all over in order to regain your privileges. I should stress this is handled case by case and each BON looks at taking a "break" from a different perspective. It is important to mention here that while some choose to leave nursing for a while or forever, many nurses have successfully completed the programs and returned to practice. The key to success seems to be separating your recovery from the requirements of the BON. You must put yourself first remembering you are a PERSON that happens to be a nurse, not the other way around. Finally, working closely and personally with the BON, keeping them abreast of all your activities, is extremely important. It is important to immediately notify them of any missed daily "drug testing" calls, missed self-reports and any relapse. But don't forget to notify them of all positive aspects of your recovery as well. THE EMPLOYER Many nurses find their way into recovery because of intervention by their employer. Others realize they have a problem on their own or were approached by a friend or coworker, leaving the employer in the dark. Should you tell your employer? This is a tough position to be in especially during such an emotional time when many of us are not thinking straight. A big aspect of successful recovery is owning your behavior and taking responsibilty for your actions. But for nurses, this has professional and legal implications that non healthcare addicts don't have to consider: Loss of non-replaceable income; criminal charges; suspension of professional license; monitoring and reporting requirements that complicates recovery; harsh judgement by your peers and even being ostracized. Your employer is going to first protect the patient, then itself and you, the nurse, will fall somewhere after that. Many hospitals now have policies that are more nurse friendly when dealing with an addict but this does not guarantee you your job. Nor does it change the attitudes of your supervisors and fellow nurses when dealing with a nurse addict. Changing policy and the nurse practice act is the easy part, changing those attitudes will take time. Many nurses find it in their best interest to seek employment in another department or at another hospital. If you find you are not getting the support and understanding you need from your manager and co-workers, don't hang around and fight it - It will only complicate your recovery. Typically, if your employer is involved you can expect to be suspended while an investigation into your actions is completed. In a week or so there will be a meeting held with you to give you their decision. You can expect to be placed on medical leave while you get treatment or terminated. Either way, when you are finally allowed to return to work your practice will be limited: You will not be allowed to administer controlled substances, work in a critical care unit, work nights or overtime. Gradually over 12 to 36 months your privileges will be returned as long as you continue to do what is required by the BON. MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT Early in your journey of recovery you will probably find your entire life out of balance. Addiction robs us of a healthy lifestyle and often we find our bodies screaming at us once we become sober. Depression, boredom, weight issues, poor health and a flailing spirit are just some of the problems you may face. We have neglected our real needs for so long that often we find ourselves not knowing where to begin to pick up the pieces. The good news is that there's hope and this is a perfect time for you to get your life back in balance. Indeed, it will become an important part of your recovery - physically, mentally and spiritually rewarding. Nurse addicts are known to be very intelligent overachievers. Often, we direct our mental resources and energy in the wrong direction; for instance, trying to get high and not get caught. Most of us are also addicted to our work - getting too involved and working overtime to avoid dealing with life issues. Now you must find a healthy place to channel all of this mental energy and the need for mental stimulation. This is a great time to drag those old hobbies out of the attic or take a class to learn something fun - photography maybe? What about all those books you wanted to read but never had time? How about journalizing your life? Some of us go back to college or learn a new job. The point is do something healthy and resourceful with your mind. Do you like the way your body looks? Many of us find we have nothing to wear (that fits anyway) since we now no longer go to work everyday in scrubs. Those old jeans and favorite shorts can only be worn so many times in one week right? Nothing will make you feel better, quicker than getting in a good workout everyday. There are several good books on getting in shape from scratch. One such book that I recommend is Fit for Life and the Fit for Life Journal. The journal is awsome because it provides an area to document your daily goals in areas of spirit, nutrition and exercise. It gives very specific instructions on your daily routine and exercises - light weights and aerobics. You can find a better description of the books by following the Books link from the homepage. Next, you need to help heal all the damage you have done to your body by following the right diet and getting the right supplements. If you are interested in beginning a diet, check out ediets.com for a great list of healthy sound diets. For information on supplements, the Life Extension Foundation has a great website with loads of information on the latest recommendations and they also sell some one of the highest quality products I have ever seen or taken. The links to these sites can be found in our Links section. Hint: if you register at the LEF website they will send you their awsome monthly magazine for free. Recoveringnurses.org has no association with either of these websites or companies. Finally, you need to feed your spirit. Take time to discover your Higher Power. Meditate, pray, go to church or just spend some time alone outdoors, it will make you feel better. Most addicts that stay sober do so by having a close relationship with their HP. If your faith is not strong right now, maybe this is a good time to visit some new churches and make some new friends. Also, please check out the Celebrate Recovery program in your area. It may be the one thing you are missing in your recovery. I hope this information gives you a little idea of what you can expect in the coming months. Everyone here at recoveringnurses.org wishes you the best. Good luck. |
By reading this article you are taking an important step in your recovery. By being here now it tells me you have already admitted you have a problem. Congratulations! The process of recovery is a journey. In your journey there will be good days and bad days, but those of us who are walking the same path can tell you that the bad days will get fewer and the good days will become great days! There is hope and it all begins here and now. 
| Monday, 06 October 2008