Reinstating nursing license after voluntary surender

Nurses Recovery

Published

Hello!!

I'm hoping someone can help me. In 2009 I voluntarily surendered my RN license in Texas after many unsuccessful attempts at getting clean. I was in their peer assistance program for nurses, but just couldnt stay clean. It was then recommended to me to surender my nursing license before they revoked it. I then moved back to NY to be near my family and to get help with my addiction. When I origionally moved to Texas, I never thought I would work in NY again, so I let my nursing license expire. (stupid , I know!). It has now been 4 and 1/2 years later, and I have been clean for that long and have completed various treatment programs, as well as lived in a halfway house for 10 months, then a supportive living apartment after that. I decided to stay out of nursing for a while, so I've worked in retail for the past 4 years. I now am wanting to return to nursing in NY. So, I contacted the NY board of nursing for an application to renew my license. One of the questions on the application is if I have ever voluntarily surendered my license in any other state. I obvously know I have to be honest, but I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with this or something similar??? I have to send documentation of why I surrendered my license and proof that I completed treatment, which I have. I am just worried that NY wont let me have my license back...... I am hoping they will see all my documentation of the various treatment programs I have been in, and just renew my NY license again. But, for some reason I dont think it will be that easy..... If anyone could help or has any information regarding this topic, it would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!!!

Specializes in LTC, Management, MDS Nurse, Rehab.

They may reinstate you under probationary terms.. I surrendered my license but circumstances we different.. I was on probationary contract for one year

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

be honest, there may be probated stepping stones, but there would have been at your prior states BON, i would advise utilization of attorney, familiar with defence before BONs, i wish I had , congratulations on putting your recovery first, and best wishes to you :yes:

Thank you for your kind words... This is just the beginning for me, so any bit of advice helps! I hope that the NY BON takes into consideration my clean time, and isn't too harsh. I've been putting this off for the past few years bc I am afraid of what they might say.... And I will start to research attorney's in my area. Thank you for taking the time to respond... :yes:

Well I finally got the nerve to reapply for my NY license, and I had to send all the documentation from what happened in Texas, along with verification of completed treatment centers. I was expecting the worse but hoping for the best. I thought they would put me on probation before renewing my license, but to my surprise 2 weeks after I sent all the paperwork in, I received my NY nursing license in the mail. They did nothing! They just reinstated it, no questions asked!! I feel completely lucky and blessed, and know this is my second and last chance to be in a career that I am passionate about and love!! Now its time to start the job hunt, hopefully I wont have too many problems getting a job after being off for 4 years.... We shall see............:up:

Congratulations. Thats great!

Thank you so much!! :)

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