Possible license restrictions

Trauma Columnist · Nov 24, 2010

These just aren't questions we can answer. I think you are going about it the right way though by asking for a re-evaluation.

Good luck.

lesterbee · Mar 10, 2011

I got really screwed over in this case, as I did not seek legal assistance because I didn't have the funds for it. Basically, the psychiatrist misdiagnosed me. He said that I was "alcohol dependent, cocaine dependent, marijuana dependent..." I made the mistake of seeing a psychologist for assistance with anxiety and she sent a report to the BON with the original doc's dx. The attorney for the board has her mind made up about me being an addict. I have 90 days of pre-licensure drug tests (in addition to the minimum of 2 years probation), psych and CD evals, CEU's, I cannot be a supervisor, work home health, or in an agency. I don't have any narc restrictions... This just baffles me because I NOW find out that I didn't even have to send in ANY paperwork because the dx was prior to 10 yrs ago and I am not seeking tx. I screwed myself. I was interviewed by one of the best hospital systems in the area and was denied the job because of this... What to do now?? I accepted the agreement like an idiot because the attorney for the board told me that I had no chance and would lose the appeal. I cannot stress enough that I am not an addict, never have, never will be... How do you dx someone with these issues when you saw them for a half hour and the pt hadn't even had a drop of alcohol in over a YEAR?! I need guidance...

melissa_m87 · Aug 9, 2012

I know you posted this over a year ago but I just have to comment & say I know exactly how you feel when the board contacts you they make it seem as if you don't sign the consent agreement you won't get your license & if you get an attorney it won't help it's like they trick you into the agreement. I have my LPN license with 2 yrs probation with restrictions I also can't do home healthcare, any supervising positions & had to do 3.5 hrs of CEUs....I am wondering if you have had any luck since this post though?!?! I hope so!!!!

MGray · Sep 7, 2012

i just received a letter from the ohio board of nursing stating that my application was placed with the compliance unit (i graduate in a few weeks). i have a past history of bipolar disorder (dx 10 years ago- no current issues with it and/or tx). well, i suffered from post partum depression after the birth of my daughter, so i sought out psychiatric treatment in 2007. during the initial assessment, the psychiatrist asked if i had any past drug use. i said yes, that i used cocaine in 2005. he some how interpreted that into "cocaine dependence". also, since i used alcohol in the past a few times a week ( i was in college), he also assumed that i had an "alcohol dependence" problem. the board needed records from my doc because i had a dx of bipolar disorder within 10 years..the board sent me a letter stating that after i pass the boards, that my license will be placed on either temporary or permanent restrictions. i have not used drugs in over 5 years!!! nor did i have a "dependence" problem! i do not have a criminal record (not even a speeding ticket). i am devastated and i do not know what to do. i am terrified that i will not get a job now because of this. i am going to try and get a re-evaluation and get letters sent to the board from my internship preceptor, instructors, bosses...anyone that personally knows me. i don't mind doing random drug tests, but i do not want the stigma of a restricted nursing license. can anyone please help?? what do i do??
thank you.

I too have been presented with a Consent Agreement. I have fought with tooth and nail from every angle I can think of-even the Board's Attorney said she was impressed with my research. That's dandy, but I still have this set of documents keeping me up a night. Has anyone had any luck trying to get lesser charges or anything? It all just seems so counter-productive to me! I mean, statistically speaking, crime levels decrease as education levels increase, but I can not pursue my RN in January as planned now. I'm mad bc I even called before applying to school to make sure I wouldn't have any problems and was told I wouldn't. Grrr... Well, good luck to all of you!!!!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Sep 8, 2012

Lesterbee has not been back to the site since this post. Please see numerous other posts with similar issues.

rnmullen · Dec 12, 2012

I am the original poster of this post, but I have since been married and have decided to make a new profile! Update: It took me an entire YEAR to find a job (after 20 interviews). I work in home health and I love it, but I am not really making a whole lot of money. I have recently appealed to the board to have the urine screens end with zero luck. I've been at my job for 9 months and drug testing for almost 2, but they wouldn't hear to end the testing. I am not optimistic that my probation will be ended early. I have an attorney, but sometimes it seems as if I am paying her for the Board to just tell me no.

My advice to anyone in my situation: Please consult an attorney before signing those stupid agreements. They will haunt you the rest of your career. Even if you can't get an unrestricted license, I can bet you can probably negotiate a lesser agreement. I had the book thrown at me and am still trying to figure out why when there was no proof that I even used drugs except by my own admission AND from 8 years ago. I never knew admitting experimentation would ruin my life.