Episode 2 of You’ve Been Selected is deeply personal for obvious reasons. The phrase “You’ve Been Selected” is burned into my memory, thanks to the bright red letters on the infamous app that dictated my life during the nursing monitoring program. And now? It’s the name of my podcast, the title of my Sober Curator column, and possibly my next tattoo.
In this episode, I share the unfiltered truth about my rock bottom and the long road to redemption. From the psych ward to a DUI, a marriage hanging by a thread, and the nursing commission stepping in, I was unemployable and at the lowest point of my career. The monitoring program for nurses with substance use disorders was my last chance, and those dreaded words—You’ve Been Selected—became a daily reminder of my accountability, my struggle, and ultimately, my transformation.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
- The downward spiral: how addiction cost me nearly everything.
- The reality of the monitoring program and how it saved my career.
- The emotional toll—and surprising lessons—of rebuilding from rock bottom.
- How I found purpose and hope as a psychiatric nurse in recovery.
This story isn’t just about me—it’s about resilience, second chances, and proving that even when you feel completely lost, there’s a way forward. Tune in to Kate’s Story Part 2: Rock Bottom, Redemption, and Getting “Selected” and hear how I went from the depths of addiction to a life of recovery and purpose, with a little dark humor along the way.
You’ve Been Selected with Kate Vitela | Apple Podcast
You’ve Been Selected with Kate Vitela | Spotify
YOU’VE BEEN SELECTED: Kate Vitela has been an RN in the Pacific Northwest for over two decades. She has been sober since 2018. You’ve Been Selected is a column that describes her journey through sobriety coaching, addiction, eating disorders, and what is now known as Drunkorexia. The title comes from the years of mandatory drug testing Kate endured after nearly ruining her nursing career due to alcohol. Kate recalls seeing these words appear on her phone each day she was chosen to randomly drug test to prove her sobriety to the nursing board.
RECOVERY PODCASTLAND & NETWORK: Tune in and let your ears experience the audio haven for all things sobriety and recovery. Buzz into the sobriety soundscape at The Sober Curator. Here, we delve into the world of our favorite sober and recovery-based podcasts. Picture us as your bee-zy, sober podcast enthusiasts or the lively guardians of an alcohol-free audio oasis. Our digital archives are neatly categorized into TSC Recovery Podcastland & Network.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
