License Reinstatement After Revoke Is There Hope?

Nurses Recovery

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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 I was a licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Tennessee until 2004 when my license was revoked to due a prescription drug addiction.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

Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

Way to go Robi!!!!

Don't let anything stop you. yes, you DO deserve a second chance. 5 yrs sober is an AMAZING accomplishment!

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I am so so so glad to see you are taking a step forward in getting your lisc back. :yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:I still hear a little fear in your voice and I just wanted to share a sorry with you. I am a pre nursing student I never had a drug issue, but I have a brother who is a recovering addict. He has been such an encouragement for me, because his testimony is a blessing. He was homeless and on drugs for at least 5 years with no place to live we as a family showed him tough love and love at the same time we never gave up on him. Today he has graduated with honor and has a BSW, he works with other's that are suffering from drug abuse and mental illness and he will soon be working on getting his MSW and becoming lisc in his field of study. I say this to say, we all have something to get over, you have your and we have our's it might not be drug abuse for us, someone might have a learning disability, someone might be poor, someone might be lazy, someone might not have the right support system, someone might be homeless. ect..... The hard thing is not having a problem the challenge is getting up, and moving forward in spite of. YOU HAVE NOTHING, NOTHING TO BE IN FEAR OF. The BON holds the rights for your lisc. this is true they hold my too, but guess what they are just people. If and when Nursing is ready for me to walk into this blessing than I will be ready if and when it comes as long as I don't give up, this same thing applies to you. Never give up on who you are and on your dreams, use this challenge to push ahead, if you use it correctly it will make you even better than before. Every nurse has something to give back:redpinkhe:redpinkhe:redpinkhe:redpinkhe you can open your heart and help someone heal. That is a God given Gift push your fear aside and walk in it.

God Bless we are all praying you through I would wish you luck but I know you are going to be find:D:D:D

See ya out there in the field

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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 think in the work force you will meet the right person who understands addictions and will give you a chance, you are not alone and you took a giant step forward.

Taking a refresher course you may get a contact that will open doors.

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Yes I will definately need a refresher course! Does anyone know, and I'm sure I should have asked the board, while I had them on the phone, but I was nervous to say the least..Do you think I can work as a CNA in the meantime if I can get certified?

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Thank you so much. Your message was beautiful and my prayers are with you as well. Nursing school was an exciting time for me and although tough at times, certainly worth it. You hang in there too.:heartbeat:heartbeat

Robi

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Just an update, I wrote my formal letter today requesting reinstatement and mailed in priority. Hopefully I will get my packet from the board with my list and a date to go before the review board. I am feeling so much more positive since I found this site and since I took the first step. Thank you all!:yeah:

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Robi: You had a problem and you overcame it. Having a problem is part of being human, overcoming problems is what makes you an accomplished human. Put your shame in a letter, read it out loud, and then burn it. As the smoke rises to heaven so too does your spirit. The ash is what is left of your shame and that is washed away....stand proud and present yourself as whole. Mankind awaits your journey back to nursing.

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Specializes in Head trauma Rehab, NeuroPsych 3.

Hey Robi,

First look up refresher courses on the net for your area, I believe there are a few in Florida, maybe middle of the state or in the north, I know of a Clinical refresher held in FtL, that's Broward County... and some state schools will hold refreshers, altho there are none local to me... IPE programe might require monitored survalence, that is the BON can and will require URINE and or blood tests any number of time a year to truely test if you are staying clean and sober once you are re-licensed, and you'll probably have to sit for LPN NCLEX once your fines are paid and your refresher course is completed.. now for today, are you still going to AA/NA, if not, I'd suggest you do, because there you'll meet and make contacts in all professions, including NURSING, and you'll meet administrators, RN's, LPN's and CNA's all that have been down the same road as you have... and they'll all have their own take on Impared Nurse Programs, ect... some will be good mentors, and others, maybe not as strong and honest, but that's for you to figure out... either way they'll stear you into rehab/ behavioral health leads and jobe that'll hire you once you are re-licensed, and you'll find if you are truely clean and sobe you can again work toward re-establishing you career and find the rewards of being a nurse again... I'm not certain but all states have IPE, Impaired Professionals / Nursing Programs, and I cold be wrong, but all are anywhere from 3-5 years long, any day week or month, you can be told to go test at the nearest lab, but then, I think you'll agree, testing is EZ if you really want to be a Nurse again- you'll remain clean and sober= therefore you'll again have your dream, and since you lost it once, you'll be a better stewart for yourself to preserve it... best of luck, Jeff

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:DOk, I am so excited! :yeah::yeah:but first I must ask you. Do you live in Florida? If so I have some wonderful news for you:clown::clown::clown:

My brother that I mentioned in my early posting has a friend who went through the same thing as you, and guess what he lives in Florida too:yeah::yeah:

He is also working and I will be more than happy to get in contact with my brother to ask him where exactly is his friend at and where exactly is he working, I am sure that if they forgave him for his past mistakes this could be one point of contact for you as well.

Also just to point out, he is looking to transfer over to the VA hospital. He was an LPN and got his self back on track he then moved forward for his RN in which he now has- that is just a little more inspiration for ya:p:p:p

I am so happy for you, I believe in Florida you should be able to take the CNA exam, but the only thing is that moving from a LPN to a CNA you maybe going backwards. Why not take a refresher course, and then maybe look into focusing on some pre-reqs for your RN. It would be a great way to display to employers that you are back in the field and looking ahead. :yeah::yeah::D:yeah::D

Make sure you reply back I am so excited I hope you do actually live in Florida :D:D:D

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Thank you, but I live in Tennessee. I was thinking about working as a CNA just to get back into the swing of things while I'm waiting for my review. They told me my license had to be in inactive stage to take the refresher course, which is the first thing they would do once I paid my fees and appeared before the review board, but I might not be able to go before the review board until march or even april she said and so I thought maybe in the meantime I might could work part time as a CNA just to get back into patient care and when they ok'd me for an inactive license, I could go ahead and take the refresher course and then move on to getting my license activated again.

You have really given me faith, with the story of your brothers friend and I hope that the same compassion I have received here from the nursing community, will be the same that I will find in my own community when and if I am blessed with my license again. I plan on going forth honestly with any employer in the future because there is so much freedom in honesty instead of walking around with so much quilt and shame and worry over what others will think. I'm getting stronger every day and feeling more positive about things and your help and everyone elses on this site has really made such a big difference for me. I hope that when this is all over, that maybe I can contribute to others in my situation as well on this site and be a beacon of hope and information as everyone here has been for me. If I come out of this with anything to offer someone else, I really want to be able to do that. I really owe this site and it's members alot and hope I'll be qualified to contribute to it when the time comes.

Have a lovely day!

Robi

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Unless you need Money to pay your rent, I would wait for a nursing refresher course. Working as a CNA one day and a few months later as a Nurse would draw attention.

You can do it. Don't be nervous. You will pick up what is new in nursing without any problems. Best of Luck.

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Hello Everyone,

MY LICENSE WAS REINSTATED!!!!:yeah: I just went to the BON for my review last week and was approved for reinstatement. I am SO THRILLED! I have to thank everyone here for all your support and encouragement. You REALLY made a difference and helped me overcome my insecurities and doubts and gave me so much hope...I just can't thank you enough. Allnurses.com was the best site I could have found at a time when I needed it most and it also reminded me of why I got into nursing in the first place....thank you thank you thank you!

Now I have to take a refresher course and was wondering if I should do this online or try to find a facility that will offer to train me as a refresher? The BON in Tennessee gave me a list of places that offer these courses, but my only problem is, I live in Manchester TN an none of the listings are close to where I live and finances are a problem since I am being laid off next week, so I just need some advice on my best option.

Once again THANK YOU AND BLESS YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING!!:heartbeat

Robi

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