Help! Trouble finding a job with my license being on probation!!!!

Nurses Recovery

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Specializes in ped/adult medsurg, specialty infusion.

To make a long story short, 2 years ago the Board started investigating me after some coworkers said I was acting "goofy" at work. I had excellent patient reviews, etc.. I had recently started on 2 antidepressants and worked 12 hour midnight shifts so I do think the medications were causing me to be a bit "foggy" at times but I always got my job done and done correctly....That job decided to fire me, I had a panic attack at home and took too many klonopin to try to calm down, my husband took me to the hospital so now I am labelled as "overdosing on the klonopin and suicide attempt"

Skip ahead to this past March, my nursing license was placed on "Probation with restrictions".. The only "restrictions" I have are 1)to not work for a staffing agency 2) to not be a nursing supervisor... I have NO narcotic restrictions or other practice restrictions.. I have no criminal history whatsoever.....

I'm an R.N. and I am unemployed. No one seems to want to hire me but yet I have worked with people in similiar situations in the past so I know nurses on probation do get hired places, but where?

My husband works full time but still we are on the verge of bankruptcy right now. I have to find a job. My husband has MS so while his work is regular, if he has a relapse, well then he is off of work too. Does anyone have any advice such as where they were hired after being put on probation, or certain types of facilities that tend to hire nurses on probation?? I appreciate any advice, I feel beaten down, confused, scared and pretty low right about now so any advice would make my day! Thanks.

Specializes in LTC, Psych, Med/Surg.

Many nurses in your situation have had success applying at SNF's (skilled nursing facilities) and even though you have no narc restriction, dialysis facilities are often "recovery friendly." The best advice I could give you is DO NOT sell yourself short and go into interviews with you head held high. You have a lot to offer as a nurse. Also, it is best to sell yourself and your skills in an interview before mentioning anything about your probationary status.

There are many threads in this forum that have suggestions for job hunting. I recommend that you read them. You are not alone!

Catmom :paw:

I know how you are feeling. I am a recent LPN grad, and while I was in the nursing program I was arrested for Obstruction of a Public Officer. I was being questioned about a one-car accident involving my brother. I was no where near this accident and they kept trying to make me admit to picking up my intoxicated brother from the scene of the accident. I became very upset after hours of their interrogation, and became uncooperative. I was given a 10 month deffered sentence by the judge, and later the case was expunged. I have had no other encounters with law enforcement, however the board of nursing decided to place me on probation with restrictions. I have been licensed as a practical nurse, but am having difficulty finding my first nursing job. Any ideas???????

Network, network, network. Leave no stone unturned, be it across town, or across the country. Use your years of experience to your advantage no matter how they ended. You can and will be successful! Best of luck.... and remember, 90% of luck is planing and perseverance.

Smitty

Specializes in geriatric.

Have you been intouch with SPAN. It is a peers progream for nursing (I think its national)and if you are involved with them they may be able to help you get back to work.

Specializes in LTC, Psych, Med/Surg.

Please tell us what "SPAN" is. I have never heard of it. Thanks.

Catmom :paw:

Specializes in Derm/Wound Care/OP Surgery/LTC.

I only found SPAN available for nurses in New York State. I don't know if this is a national organization.

http://www.nysna.org/span/main.htm

Specializes in geriatric.

There may be an orginization in your state like SPAN. it is kindof like NA/AA for nurses. check with the states dept of education.

Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
To make a long story short, 2 years ago the Board started investigating me after some coworkers said I was acting "goofy" at work. I had excellent patient reviews, etc.. I had recently started on 2 antidepressants and worked 12 hour midnight shifts so I do think the medications were causing me to be a bit "foggy" at times but I always got my job done and done correctly....That job decided to fire me, I had a panic attack at home and took too many klonopin to try to calm down, my husband took me to the hospital so now I am labelled as "overdosing on the klonopin and suicide attempt"

Skip ahead to this past March, my nursing license was placed on "Probation with restrictions".. The only "restrictions" I have are 1)to not work for a staffing agency 2) to not be a nursing supervisor... I have NO narcotic restrictions or other practice restrictions.. I have no criminal history whatsoever.....

I'm an R.N. and I am unemployed. No one seems to want to hire me but yet I have worked with people in similiar situations in the past so I know nurses on probation do get hired places, but where?

My husband works full time but still we are on the verge of bankruptcy right now. I have to find a job. My husband has MS so while his work is regular, if he has a relapse, well then he is off of work too. Does anyone have any advice such as where they were hired after being put on probation, or certain types of facilities that tend to hire nurses on probation?? I appreciate any advice, I feel beaten down, confused, scared and pretty low right about now so any advice would make my day! Thanks.[/quote

Why don't you go to your state's website at Allnurses and put feelers out for friendly employers.

Do you have any personal friends who are in management positions? This is the only thing that saved me. I am well known in the community as an excellent nurse.

I have several friends I worked with in managment positions. They fully supported me and realize everyone makes mistakes and were willing to hire me no questions asked.

Just a thought.

Send your resume by e-mail.fax,post office mail

construct a good resume ""RESUMIZED " will help you

Dont give up

Offer yourself to be voluntary-RN /LPN /LVN

Try case managment in a clinic /referals/computer job

GOOD LUCK

Specializes in icu,ccu,sicu,crna.

I recently interviewed for two state positions as a disability examiner and a health surveyor. They don't quite pay as much, but they are Monday to Friday with benefits and a retirement. The disability portion has good job security, they have never laid off. Also, I don't have to worry about my license or narcs. :yeah:

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