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 I was a licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Tennessee until 2004 when my license was revoked to due a prescription drug addiction.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

I found this thread really late but am SO happy and proud of you!!! I am also very encouraged by all the support you have found here. It feels so good to see this much support from fellow nurses after being eaten up by the field in different ways in the last five years, LOL. It looks like it's been close to a year since you got your license...how has work been for you? Congrats again!

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Specializes in ICU, PICU, School Nursing, Case Mgt.
hi everyone

i acquired a Tx lic then i got a Ca lic via reciprocity. unluckily my Ca was revoked, can i still practice nursing in Tx.. help me

Hi there, I went through a similar situation 8 years ago...I have been licensed in Fl for 18 years, had reciprocity in Indiana and had a suspension there in 2001. I returned to work in Fl...at that time the states did not have a complete data base to communicate with each other--I believe that has changed. My advise would be to call the Texas intervention program and self report. Ultimately, I did this. I am so grateful that every thing is out in the open now, I was always afraid of being "found out". I am now in Florida's IPN and can work freely.

Also, to Robi-- and Jaquie44 I hope you still read this thread--CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I just wanted to say, having been down this road myself, Addiction is a DISEASE, not a moral deficiency. You have been able to conquer the demon for over 5 years. I hope you are still working the program and doing whatever works for you, I applaud AA and NA, but it is a personal choice.

I will say, that if you are working as a nurse now, if you are not "working a program" it may be difficult for you. The added stress that the job brings and the proximity to those "dangerous" meds...need constant attention. It is very doable, however, and if you are in a monitoring program like the IPN I always stress to any potential employer that I am "safer" than all of the other nurses as I am monitored and tested all of the time. We all know that there are thousands of nurses using a variety of substances and they are working and not monitored.

Good luck to you in Texas, I hope you will do the right thing, they WILL catch up with you, it is just a matter of time. THe boards look much more favorably on self reporting rather than waiting until Ca. lets them know.

If you have not done so, both of you should check out the "Nurses in Recovery" forum here. Lots of great stuff, and you wont feel as alone.

sws

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Specializes in ER, ICU, MED SURG.

thanks for the added encouragement. I successfully re-obtained my license back in the summer and I am having a blast! I am in a program, and I am doing fine. I am relocating in a month to work my lifelong dream of Labor and Delivery. I am so thankful and appreciative of this site, and particularly this thread. I would have never began the process had I not seen this. I hope Robigayle is doing great because her honesty gave me back my career. I had to take tests, a refresher course, and ultimately spent about $2000 to get my license back. However, those were small hurdles to jump compared to how happy I am now being back where I should be. I will definitely keep check on this thread. If my words and experience can help anyone, then I want to do that.

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Specializes in ICU, PICU, School Nursing, Case Mgt.

I am so happy for you..I know how hard it must have been. Again, check out the Recovery forum as well.

God Bless,

sws

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Specializes in ER, ICU, MED SURG.

I will do that. THANKS!!

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Specializes in LTC.

WTG Jackie! I've been seriously contemplating leaving nursing for other reasons (basically typical burnout and disenchantment) but reading these posts is encouraging me to try to stick with it until I find my "fit." Thanks so much for sharing.

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call your BON. you seem to be very sincere! congrats on being and having stayed sober for so long, keep up the good work, and i wish you the best of luck!

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Specializes in ER, ICU, MED SURG.
WTG Jackie! I've been seriously contemplating leaving nursing for other reasons (basically typical burnout and disenchantment) but reading these posts is encouraging me to try to stick with it until I find my "fit." Thanks so much for sharing.

I know that feeling of not having my fit. I know there is no excuse for my behavior, but I believe that unhappiness definitely aided the problem. If you are not happy, my advice is to go back to whatever that thing was that made you really happy, and do that. If that doesn't work, move onto something else. We need you and there are too many things we can do to be unhappy in a job. Sometimes all it takes is some soul searching. Good luck, and thanks for the words of encouragement. I never knew that someone like me could ever earn the love of my peers like this! You guys are the greatest!:redbeathe

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Good Luck Robi. I am a nurse who is being investigated, but me on the other hand I do not /did not ever have a prescrip prob or anything. I am scared about what I am going through. I have compassion for people like you, cuz you know what we are all human an all deserve chances, especially those of us who did not harm any others. Accept your past and live in the moment, lifes too short to let others be in charge of your destiny!!:)

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can anybody here provide any information how i can get removed from OIG list early? i was palced on OIG program exclusion list for 5years since 12/2008. now i have my RN license reinstated by board of registered nursing of state of california march, 2010. i spoke with OIG san francisco office last week. and was told to write a letter of request for reinstatement to OIG main office in Baltimore,MD. i mailed the letter for reinstatemnet. in the meantime, i read OIG website info just to find oud there's no provision of early reinstatement. the applicant may request reinstatemnet 120 days prior to the expiration of minimum period of program exclusion.

upon the borad decision, i have to work in hospitals or health care facilities in 6 consecutive months to avoid my probation extended.

i do need any legal advice to resolve this OIG matter.

can anyone help??

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Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Congratulations on being so honest to us all.

The first poster is right - just call your local nursing board & they should be able to help. But I do warn you, my brother's workmate (not a nurse) got his job re-instated after doing drugs and he had to submit to random urine & blood tests. He found it humiliating, but that is what they require. You may have to submit to the same thing, though you have probably already thought of this.

Hope you get back in with an upfront and positive attitude like that.

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I am so glad I read this I have the same problem I had my lic. revoked due to prescription fraud charges caused by addiction. Does anyone know if there may be hope for me. I am in Texas and I have been clean 19 months. I completed inpatient tx about 16 months ago, but due to my charge which was obtainin drugs by fraud ( I called in my own scripts), I did have to go to prison for 5 months and I am on parole until April of 2010. I dont know if there is hope for me or not. I was an LVN, but I had graduated from an ADN program but never took boards due to my problem. I dont know where to start or even if I should start. HELP please.

Thanks Rhonda:uhoh3:

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