Ok so the other thread somehow is restricted and I who posted it cant even read the replies.

I am in NC and have a restricted license (which will not start until the job does).

Anyone in NC know where restricted AP nurses get hired or anyone who can help. I have 2 kids and a life I need to reclaim- 19 months later.

I am sober and that isn't my dilemma anymore.... its finding who and where to go to reclaim my profession.

Thanks

It is hard to believe that no one has commented really on this thread. I am sure there is someone out there who has been there and overcome it (the gettingback to work thing)

Hello?

I am sure that you may have tried some of these avenues but here they are anyway:

(1) North Carolina State Board of Nursing - Explain that you need to talk with someone who has the knowledge to answer your question or at least point you in the right direction;

(2) Check to see if there are any Nursing Recruiters in your area.  If there are (and even if they are not),  contact at least 1-2 and see what they say about where to look for work (at least something to keep you family going);

(3)  Talk with Director of Nursing or the equiv. of a couple of facilities.  Don't make it sound as thought you are desperate (even in you are);

(4)  Take whatever information you get from this and work with it.  If you want help looking over the results, post it on this string.

(5)  To get you by, look up living grants for nurses in need.  I know of a nursing house of some kind in NYC you could turn to if finances are really tough.  I tried them when I was first disabled, but I think they thought I was too rich or something.

Let us know how it goes.  By the way, I believe that several of us did respond on the restricted area.  I will look and glean any tidbits out of those conversations.

Dr. Tom

I really can't grasp the ideal of making it so miserable and hard for a person to find a job just because they made a mistake!!!!!! I believe anyone of us can be in the exact same circumstance!!!!  I think if the individual has learned from the mistake and is trying to improve their lot, why not give them some lee-way!!!

I guess this is one of the reasons noone chooses this profession!!!! Why continue to punish a person for past mistakes!!!! I can understand protecting public safety, but come on!!!!! We have alot of impaired nurses out there practicing on an unsuspecting public!!!! To the nurse in NC, don't give up or give in!!!!!!!!!!!

C,

Honestly, the system now is much more tolerant than they have ever been.

I had wanted to be a Navy Hospital Corpsman, then a nurse.  I was in high school in the early 1970's and because of the restrictions then, if I used any illegal drugs, I would not have been able to enter the military or nursing field, period.  Because of this, I did not even try marijuana or any other illegal drug (I'm not a good liar).

I don't want to make your situation sound trite, but it sounds as though they are giving you a chance.  If you really want to get back in the saddle with nursing, you need to jump through the hoops.

The North Carolina BON are telling you to go to Long Term Nursing facility or dialysis.  Remember the advice I gave you earlier?  Same routine. 

Get on the internet, look up LTC and dialysis units within driving distance of you.  Talk to them, even if they are not hiring.  Talk to one of their supervisors ask for any advice they might be able to give you. 

Nurses can be cannibals, but they can also be compassionate.  Keep positive.  They may like you and offer you something that they have been thinking about, but not advertising.  It has happened to a few nurses whom I have given this same advice to. 

My wife even got an adjunct faculty position in Early Childhood Education that way.  The program director was able to cut an inept professor, because someone who was qualified was sitting in front of her.  No position was ever advertised.

Good luck,

Dr. Tom