Psych Evaluation to return to work(OH)

Nurses Recovery

Published

I'm a nurse in recovery and am working towards getting my license reinstated. I already have my consent agreement and am trying to find a counselor/psychologist to do my re-evaluation to state that I am safe to practice nursing. I have already been through outpatient treatment for addiction and have been clean for almost two years. The counselor I saw said she is not ethically allowed to state her opinion and therefore can't do this evaluation. Another psychologist told me she thought it would be a liability issue for her because she doesn't "know" me. The OBN isn't able to give me a list of approved providers of this service. Has anyone else had this trouble? Is there some key words I can use to search for someone who is able to do this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Does it have to be a psychologist? I recently went through a similar situation and had to get a letter that stated "so and so is safe to practice medicine" and that is literally all. I got the letter from my primary care provider.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It doesn't have to be a psychologist. In my contract it states "counselor." I have found that most counselors aren't able/willing to state an opinion of safety. I have also found that many of my local Recovery centers (I live in a very poor rural area) only except Medicaid clients. Some are willing to accept payment up front, but those have been the ones unwilling to help me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The very first safe to practice letter I obtained was from a counselor at my treatment facility. She was also unsure about writing it. I asked her this:

if I maintain my sobriety, continue to attend AA, if I continue to faithfully check in and take UAs with negative results, would you say I am safe to practice?

She said yes. It was only then that she was willing to write the letter. The letter basically said this:

So and so is safe to practice nursing provided that she is maintains her sobriety and is compliant with the stipulations as set by the board of nursing including (she then listed some of the BON's stipulations).

She also included at the end a statement saying "my endorsement of so and so's safety to practice is subject to change if new information becomes available that indicates she is unsafe to practice"

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would speak with your counsellor again and ask if they can endorse you through similar verbiage.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This definitely sounds like something I can try. Thank you so much for helping out! It's been hard to find someone who has been through a similar situation due to it being such a small area.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

She could also list how long you have been seeing her, how often, that you work on relapse prevention issues to help maintain sobriety. She could also describe your current mental status. I.e. That your thoughts are logical and goal directed, that your thinking is reality based free of delusions, that your insight and judgement are good

i think it is hard for anyone to predict the future.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Addiction, Peer Support.

Not sure what area in OH you live in, but in the Cinci area there is someone that I used, he was awesome, he is a counselor/social worker that the KBN recommended.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

tarab333 I will be getting a contract from the bon eventually and was hoping you could send the me counselor/social workers information. I worry about finding someone as I have heard the ohio bon is a nightmare to deal with...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Addiction, Peer Support.

sent you a PM

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment