Needs advice-revoked license

Nurses Recovery

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Hello,

My name is Amanda and I am a recovering addict. I got my LPN when I was only 20 years old. I ended up getting addicted to opiates after a nasty accident. I tried to continue my career but unbeknownst to me I wasn't fooling anyone. My place of employment gave me a drug test. I got scared and refused. Later, my boss called and talked me into coming back to test. I went back and took the test and it was negative. That night I slipped up and relapsed. The very next day they called me to discuss my job. They asked me to test again! I wasn't expecting that and obviously failed. They reported me to the board. I didn't know what to do so I just ignored the entire thing. About 6 months later I got a certified letter saying they revoked my license. At that point I was in the midst of my addiction and felt completely hopeless. Next month 9 years have passed since I have been clean. I thought about trying to get my license back and called the OH-BON. The lady that I spoke with was incredibly rude with me and said "once they have been revoked, you can never get them back or hold another license with the OH-BON"!! Completely heartbroken I gave up. Well, one day I saw an Ad for a nursing lawyer. I contacted him and explained my situation. He basically told me that too much time had passed and that it would be a very expensive and risky move to take on my case. I have read a couple of similar stories on here where the nurse was able to reinstate license so I was wondering if anyone knew of anything else I could do? Another avenue I could try going? I have pretty much accepted this so this is my last ditch effort to try again. Any advice is welcomed! Thank you!

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Hello,

My name is Amanda and I am a recovering addict. I got my LPN when I was only 20 years old. I ended up getting addicted to opiates after a nasty accident. I tried to continue my career but unbeknownst to me I wasn't fooling anyone. My place of employment gave me a drug test. I got scared and refused. Later, my boss called and talked me into coming back to test. I went back and took the test and it was negative. That night I slipped up and relapsed. The very next day they called me to discuss my job. They asked me to test again! I wasn't expecting that and obviously failed. They reported me to the board. I didn't know what to do so I just ignored the entire thing. About 6 months later I got a certified letter saying they revoked my license. At that point I was in the midst of my addiction and felt completely hopeless. Next month 9 years have passed since I have been clean. I thought about trying to get my license back and called the OH-BON. The lady that I spoke with was incredibly rude with me and said "once they have been revoked, you can never get them back or hold another license with the OH-BON"!! Completely heartbroken I gave up. Well, one day I saw an Ad for a nursing lawyer. I contacted him and explained my situation. He basically told me that too much time had passed and that it would be a very expensive and risky move to take on my case. I have read a couple of similar stories on here where the nurse was able to reinstate license so I was wondering if anyone knew of anything else I could do? Another avenue I could try going? I have pretty much accepted this so this is my last ditch effort to try again. Any advice is welcomed! Thank you!

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Anyone have any advice? Similar experience?

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Petition the board for reinstatement.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Med/Surg.

Every state is different and I have heard that Ohio is quite punitive (as my state of NE is). Here, we can apply for reinstatement 5 years after revocation.

I don't know what the "too much time has passed" comment from the lawyer was about. This implies that there is a process to reinstate after revocation in Ohio. I would consult another lawyer. Check if there are caduceus groups in your area and ask the recovering nurses there for a referral.

You can search in this thread for the term "caduceus" for more information about these often very helpful groups.

For myself, I was away from nursing for six years after my license was suspended and had to take a refresher course approved by my BON before I was allowed to start my 5 years of probation. The economy was in much better shape at the time and I got a job right away after getting my probationary license.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Catmom :paw:

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

you have been given good advice

petition the board for reinstatement

you have mature recovery that should be in your favor

i would do this with aide of administrative lawyer

things that will probably happen

eval mental health

need to complete refresher course

then after above approved

some time with probational stipulations, still doable

that monitoring time can be three to five years pending BON

CORGRATULATIONS on your sobriety

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