License Reinstatement After Revoke Is There Hope?

rngolfer53 · Jan 21, 2009

Hello, my name is Robi and I am new to this site and I'm not even sure if I deserve to be here, but I have a question that I hope someone can help me with. I was a licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Tennessee until 2004 when my license was revoked to due a prescription drug addiction. Due to the shame I felt and still feel to this day, I never tried fighting for my license at the time, but long to be able to practise again and have been sober for 5 years and working in an office outside of the medical field. I just don't know where to begin. I have researched the tennesse state board of health for answers, but it seems so complicated, I just don't know what step to take first and after all this time, I don't even know if I have a chance at getting my license reinstated. I guess what I'm trying to ask is there even a chance for me? I am willing to do whatever it takes no matter how expensive, time consuming, or shameful it may make me feel in order to get my license back, but I just wonder if I would even be considered and if so, would I be required to go back to school to refresh my skills and would it help for me to try to become certified as a nurse assistant in the meantime in order to at least have myself back in the field and even if that would be allowed. I'm sorry to make this so long and would welcome any advice or suggestions on this matter.
Thank you so much,
Robi

Congratulations on 5 years of being clean and sober!!! :yeah:To me, that shows you have what it takes to turn your desire to get your license back into reality.

Like others have said, start with the BON. Check out their publications or web site to see if there in any material related to your situation. If so, you can likely come up with a checklist of things to do. If you completed any formal treatment programs for your substance abuse, have the records available. Get some strong references.

It would probably not hurt to hire an attorney who practices regularly before the BON. Not that you want to turn this into an adversarial journey, but to guide you as far as what the law says, what the BON has done in the past, why some people succeeded and others didn't. If you do run into roadblocks, your attorney will already be familiar with your case, and can request formal hearings, etc, prn.

Good luck to you.

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Robi, what everyone is saying is so right on the dot right. Calling the BON is essential.

I knew someone in a situation a lot like yours. Knew her through another friend. He was in AA and knew her there. She started with drinking and then when her husband left, she self medicated with perscription drugs. Lost her license.

This was not in you state, but she still had her license and it went like this for her: Served a probation period. IDK the lenght, but it was not incredibly long. Went to AA meetings and got a slip signed when she attended. I'm pretty sure she sent these slips to the BON. Went to a few classes on addiction and how to manage when you have had a problem and have to give meds to patients. She was on a probationary license, and if there were no incidents, she would eventually have a clean slate again.

My concern with your situation is, when you do call, you'll have to do all the same things. So, the sooner you get in contact with them the better. You can start the clock on the probation period and do the classes and such. I hate to see you postpone calling them and then find out the process will take too long. Good luck.

robigayle · Jan 21, 2009

You have all given me such a large measure of hope and compassion that I never expected and am completely overwhelmed by. I think I have just been telling myself for so long that I was a "bad" person and that by going to the nursing board, I would be going into it with a scarlett letter A (addict) on my forehead and I have been paralyzed by that fear. I am going to call them this morning and get the ball rolling and I will do whatever it takes and whatever they ask of me in order to get my license reinstated. This site is a blessing for me and just the encouragement and support I needed to hear in order to proceed in this journey. I don't expect it to be easy by any means but your words have given me the courage to at least stop longing for it and actually do something about it. Thank you so much! I will let you know what they say.

XOXOXOX

Robi

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

I would wager that the BON's in any state, takes these cases on a case by case basis.

Because of the nature of addiction, they are going to be looking very closely at improvements that you have made in your life. This is so individual that there is no way that any BON could have a blanket policy on this issue.

The process is long and complicated, but think about it...should it be easy?

robigayle · Jan 21, 2009

No it shouldn't be easy. Anything worth having, is worth working for and I waited a lot of years to even get my license until my kids were grown and settled and I allowed depression at a bad time in my life, interfere with a life long dream I had of being nurse. I lost my way and my focus on what was most important and I let doubt and insecurity tell me for the last few years that I wasn't worthy to even think I should have my license back. But I'm older now and hopefully wiser than the person I was 5 years ago and I'm ready to face the consequences of my actions or inactions and do whatever it takes to get my license back and be the person I wanted so much to be. If I am blessed enough to have my license reinstated as a practical nurse, it is my dream to continue my education and become registered.

I just made the call that I've been dreading for so long to the nursing board and I talked to a very kind woman who told me how to get the process started. She says I need to write her a formal letter requesting to have my license reinstated and what steps I've taken to overcome my addictions and what I plan to achieve by being reinstated and she said as soon as she receives it she will send me a package with step by step instructions on what I need to have prepared in order to go before the application review commitee. she says they will request 1250.00 in civil fines and once that is paid, I can apply for reinstatement. She says that since I haven't practiced in so many years I would be required to take a refresher course should they approve me for an inactive license and then once that is completed I can officially apply for the actual license reinstatement. The review commitee only meets once per month and she said I was too late for February 5th, but that she would try to get me in, in march or april and that would give me time to have all my documentation in order.

So at least now I have somewhere to begin. I don't know why I've been so afraid to take that first step. Maybe it just wasn't enough to be sober for 5 years and free of chemicals. Maybe I needed to be free of all the emotional baggage and insecurities that lead me to rely on controlled substances in the first place. I still have a lot of fear...I guess that's obvious in my postings, but not of controlled substance abuse, but maybe doubt in myself and my worthiness. I feel I'm at a good place in my life now and can better face the challenges that lie ahead responsibly and with more faith in myself and my abilities. I'm ready to face whatever lies ahead and do what it takes to become the person I know I can be and all your postings and words of encouragement were just what I needed. Thank you so much Allnurses community!

Robi

WalkieTalkie, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Congrats for getting back on track! I can't even imagine how hard that was to make the first call to the BON. I wish you the best of luck in the process!

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Robigayle,

I really hope it works for you, seriously. I don't believe that recovery from addiction is impossible and that there ARE people that do make mistakes, pay dearly for them (regardless of how serious it is) and keep that vow never to make the mistake again.

What you have going for you is that it's not like you just got out of the 12-step program a couple weeks ago. You waited until you knew things were right for you so the NEW you, the HEALTHY you, can go back and pick up before the demon of drugs stepped in and took over your life.

Don't dread talking to them...the worst thing has happened...you already had your licensed revoked, and in the end, even if they say no, you are no worse off than you were before.

However, I have seen some horrible, horrible cases (my state publishes them) where nurses still got their licenses back. To me, the very worst is diverting pain meds...b/c that means a patient did without.

However, it doesn't sound like that's what you did.

I wish you luck and please let us know how it works out.

chevyv, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

I just wanted to give a shout out wishing you the best of luck! Congrats on your sobriety :yeah: . Please keep us posted on what you find out. One thing I've learned coming here is that there is often more than one person with the same question. I learn so much here. Welcome and again, good luck to you!

2008pn · Jan 21, 2009

I am not really sure I know in Florida there would be a possibility of getting your license back so I would suggest what everyone else is suggesting call BON. keep up the good work

rngolfer53 · Jan 22, 2009

It took a lot of courage to make that call. I admire you for doing it.

Just work the program they give you, take one day at a time, and before long you'll be back with a full license.

I'll say congrats well in advance, because I'm confident you'll succeed.

robigayle · Jan 22, 2009

Thank you so much for your support! I guess my next question is, if I'm fortunate enough to get my license back, will I be able to get a job? How willing are facilities to give you employment opportunities once they know of your back ground or that your license was revoked?

rngolfer53 · Jan 22, 2009

Thank you so much for your support! I guess my next question is, if I'm fortunate enough to get my license back, will I be able to get a job? How willing are facilities to give you employment opportunities once they know of your back ground or that your license was revoked?

I can't speak to having my license revoked, but my license endorsement to a second state was held up because of a 26 year old DUI stop. (Don't get me started on the ability of bureaucrats to lack any sense of reasonableness.) I had already been offered a job, one that I really wanted, and I was scared to death the delay would lose it for me.

I've never hidden the fact that I was a practicing alcoholic for many years, and my experience is that people understand that people can and do overcome addictions. Perhaps because the employer knew about my hx, they were willing to hold the job for me for six weeks while the BON muddled along and sent me on wild goose chases for records that had been destroyed years before by the municipality where I was arrested.

So, my advice is let an employer hear bad news from you, and not someone else.