[rudisell]

I am new to this forum but believe it will be very beneficial to me! I am hoping for some direction in getting my RN license re-instated in OK. It was revoked in 2000 related to substance abuse for 5 years. I do know I must either take state boards or a refresher course before being considered. Both of these options are expensive but I know I will have to do one or the other. Is there anyone familiar with the OK board who might have insight? My memories of going to the board send shivers down my spine. I truly believe I am not attacking this as fast as I should and want to because of my fear of facing "those women" again.
I underwent in patient treatment in 2002 and have been sober since. My life is completely different since the events leading up to my revokation. I went through basic training and lots of blood, sweat, and tears to become a nurse. I understand why I was kept out of nursing, but now, almost 50 and sober, I want to make a difference. Any advise anyone has will be appreciated!!!
Thanks!

[nrsaddic1]

I am not familiar with Ok. but I would like to say congratulations for staying sober for so long and getting your life back. I would like to address what you said about facing "those women" again. When I hit my bottom and went into treatment, I also saw an individual therapist who helped me a lot. Part of our disease involves running from the things we don't want to face or think about. I can look back over my life and see how my disease affected my life choices even before I took my first drink or pill. I started a pattern of leaving rather than facing things and piled up a lot of pain and regrets which I thought I could forget or numb with alcohol and pills. Fortunately I was caught and it was the best thing that could have happened. My therapist told me that I had to go back and face my demon or I would never get well. It is too bad that society and many in the healthcare world view our disease as a character defect instead of what it is. If someone had to go before the board who had made a mistake while out of whack from diabetes, for example, he or she would be looked at differently than you and I. My experience in going back to face the people who I was scared to see turned out to be a big step in growth for me. You deserve admiration and respect for what you have done in turning your life around. In a 12 step program we are told to be Honest, Open and Willing (HOW). You have nothing to apologise for as you have gotten your life back and have done what you needed to take care of yourself. Now it is their turn to be willing to help you.
I have put together a database of all of the boards of nursing and what they have available. I copied and pasted this from my file. I don't know what they had in place when you went before the board but it looks like now they have a peer assistance program. If you go to the web site for the Ok. state board you might be able to find out more details. I wish the best for you; please keep me posted on what you find out.
My email is wilma_woodford@yahoo.com.

PEER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
A confidential program to help nurses return to safe practice.

Oklahoma Peer Assistance Program
2915 N. Classen Boulevard, Ste. 215
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 525-2277

Overview
Forms
Application for Appointment to a Peer Assistance Committee
Application for Reappointment to a Peer Assistance Committee
Change of Address Form

Change of Supervisor Form
Counselor Report Form
Drug/Alcohol Screen Checklist
Medication Report Form
Nurse Support Group Facilitator Report Form
Nurse Support Group & Aftercare Attendance Log
Program Application
Release for Body Fluid Testing
Release for Employer
Release for Family/Other
Release for Healthcare

Self-Assessment Form
Sponsor Report Form
Supervised Practice Report Form
Support Group Attendance Form

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oklahoma Board of Nursing
2915 N Classen, Ste. 524
OKC, OK 73106
TEL: 405.962.1800 FAX: 405.962.1821

[rudisell]

Thank you for those words. That does make alot of sense in regards to approaching "those women" of the state board. In OK, there are
several hundred people in attendance at these board meeting who are mostly nursing students. I understand the need for this as a part of their education, as they need to know about the occupational hazards of being in nursing (readily available drugs).But, scornfully being made an example of for my "disease" which I believe it is, just sucks.
I am familiar with the peer program here. It is by board referral and as I am sure the rule with all of these programs, rigorous, costly, consuming, etc...I am actually hoping that the board may allow me to return with possibly just probation/supervision since I have several years of sobriety but this may be unlikely for someone "like me". Of course, their wish is my command!

[PRESLA]

I feel for ya. I have had to appear at my states board twice to get my restricted license back (humbling experience). Just take it one step at a time you will get them back when you are ready for them. I know in my state of NC if the board does not have proof of your sobriety then you have not been sober in their book and therefor you must enter in a monitoring program to show proof.I remember when I was in nursing school and we went to a hearing it was kind of like a big joke to go and see the disicipline program because of the amount of students present we just sat there and talked and we left early. I feel as a caretaker and healer that nursing school does not do enough addiction education as a fatal disease but it is looked at as a problem in society. As for your last statement in your post it sucks that their wish is my command because we are not bad people!!!!!

[nrsaddic1]

You really said a mouth full there in regards to education in nursing school and I really appreciate it. I am a firm believer in that as well and that is why I am doing a presentation on addiction and alcoholism for nurses as my scholar project for my masters. Just today some undeserved "shame" crept in when several others were discussing drug testing and the CEO of the hospice where I work said that when their people test positive they are out, no arguments, no working with them, etc. I wanted so bad to give my speil about the success rate for impaired nursing programs, etc but I thought it better to leave well enough alone.