previous public reprimand and traveling

Sour Lemon · Jan 25, 2018

If an agency can place you, they'll make money. It makes sense that they'd string you along just in case...what do they have to lose?

Prior discipline could be an issue, or minimal experience, or both. It probably wouldn't hurt to cast a wider net and look into permenant positions if you really want to travel and work elsewhere. Or just stay where you're at and go on vacation(s).

ChrisMMS · Jan 25, 2018

Hello Tinybbnurse,

Recruiter here. It's going to depend on the severity of the situation and what nursys says about your license status. Certain companies who have hundreds or thousands of nurses may push you to the side because it will be harder to get you a position. Smaller agencies/recruiters maybe willing to work with you, but it just all depends on what strike(s) exist on your license and how severe they are. If you are interested in traveling I would continue to do what you are currently doing by being honest and upfront about the entire situation.

NedRN · Jan 25, 2018

You might see if a statement from the BON in question will effectively clear you in clearheaded readers such as agencies and managers (remember your license verification is sent to facilities). Your current employer could also give you a written reference (which every traveler should collect for their own professional portfolio anyway) where this issue is addressed.

Is there a time frame when the ding is cleared and no longer shows?

I suspect you live in an eCompact state? Why not apply for a license in a useful non-compact state like California? It is very possible that while you have to address this issue to get a license that the license when issued will not mention it. Their licensure process will be extra lengthy because of the reprimand - which will give you extra time to collect more NICU experience!

Part of the process of getting a new license will be a statement explaining how you have "rehabilitated" yourself. A likely statement by you (with zero defensiveness) might say that poor communication could have led to patient harm and you have worked diligently since on clear professional communication. Completed employer mandated coursework is a plus and of course you would like the reference from your employer to mention it (keep any course documentation as well).

As to agencies who are willing to work with any warm body, if they are successful representing you despite a documented reprimand the facility is OK with, not much downside to it from your perspective. Of course you should rightly explore why the faculty is willing to take you versus a more experienced candidate who isn't under a cloud. If it is just because the pay or location sucks, that could be OK. But you really don't want to start your first assignment at a hellhole. Look for a friendly assignment whose clinical requirements are well within your comfort zone. There are too many stressors a a new facility to be stretched clinically as well.

You might think working with an agency with higher standards is a good thing. It certainly is to a point. At some point, larger agencies get so picky and bureaucratic that it can be awful. Smaller agencies might be your best bet right now until you have proven success as a traveler - that will help overcome objections at pickier agencies and facilities.

tinybbynurse · Feb 8, 2018

Thanks guys! I appreciate your input. So, your answers all make sense. I think the reprimand "falls off" within 3 years of the issued date. The company who is working with me to find jobs, while not a "small" company neccesarily, is also not the biggest. The company that turned me down, is in fact, one the largest, and from what I'm told, most hospitals will hire travelers from this company first. Point in case: That larger company, as one of you said, has sooo many options that they didn't really "need" to mess with me, per say. Where as the smaller company was willing to. That being said, I think my problem with the smaller company really is experience. I already got my references in from employers, so, the issue continues to be experience. Most places want two years in NICU, understandable. I'm currently seeking out permanent positions, which is going so much better!!! I'd love to travel in the future, but I'd be happy to settle down for awhile in a new place for now.

Thanks!

tinybbynurse · Feb 9, 2018

and to clarify, I do not live in a current compact state. My state of initial licensure is a compact state, but when I moved and got my current license, it became non compact. I am actually currently applying for a license in yet another state (this will be my 3rd license). While this prospective state IS a compact state, I think that because I hold a license in a non compact one, they all are individual licenses, in which case, perhaps you are right, Ned, while I'll have to jump thru extra hoops (and I am, I have to submit a personal explanation, a copy of the discipline ordered, AND get three letters of recommendation) , maybe it won't show anything on that license itself once it's processed. Hoping so!!

NedRN · Feb 9, 2018

Yes, unless you reside in a compact state, all your licenses will be single state. Good luck!

tinybbynurse · Feb 9, 2018

while I'm here - does anybody know much about letters of recommendation? In regards my "jumping through hoops" to obtain licensure through endorsement in a new state, I need 3 of these. Have never needed one for any past employment so I'm unsure of how to go about it. Obviously supervisors or past supervisors are appropriate - what about coworkers? personal references? And I'm not sure - when someone writes you one, do they send it to you to give to prospective employers or in my case, the board? Or are letters send directly to the employer, or board, as in my case? I really have no clue. And I'm not sure how much info I should tell whoever I ask to write me one - I'm not ashamed of the past and I know I'm a decent nurse, but obviously, no one WANTS to volunteer information pertaining to needing the letters for the BON. Thanks.

NedRN · Feb 9, 2018

I personally get my own written references using a form available on PanTravelers. This only takes a couple of minutes to fill out and I wait. Some travelers get more formal letters of reference, but that takes longer. I get them early in an assignment and often, from as many people as possible. I go up the food chain as high as I can (director), but do not go lower than charge. But I would if I had to.

Written references are incredibly valuable. Besides their primary function, they can serve a protective function should you be reported to the board or terminated without cause. Phone references? You don't know what they might say, or what the random person who picks up the phone may say. Your referee may no longer work there or be otherwise unavailable. In addition, many if not most hospitals will have a policy not allowing phone references. All they can do is confirm employment. Written references of course will present you in the best light (any reference of course is suspect), much easier to verify, and will help place you faster and onboard with new agencies faster.

Now letters to a BON are something different. A personal letter of recommendation might be acceptable, but it is always best if there is a professional relationship to describe workplace commitment and ethics. I had to do something similar when I applied for licensure in Great Britain (they seemed much more concerned about my morals than abilities). I got two letters from friends, who happened to be nurses but whom I've never worked with, and one from a previous supervisor. The board provided criteria for the letters to address - a bit easier than appears to be your case with an unspecified content. These letters were sent directly to the board and I never saw them.

What you request for these letters will depend on the nature of your reprimand. In an earlier post, I suggested language for a statement from you. A letter from others should be similar.

tinybbynurse · Feb 11, 2018

I already have my general references listed on my resume that a job can call for verification of employment etc. The letters of rec are a whole new ball game. In my experience my prospective employers have just always called these to check for verification of past employment after being offered the job already, and it's all always worked out fine for me getting new jobs. Anyway regarding the letters:

I called the board to clarify who can write the letters, if I can attach them to my application or if the people writing them have to turn them in themselves. They told me it can basically be anybody saying something good about me, as long as it's not your mom. Literally what they told me almost word for word! Haha. They also said I could attach the letters to my application, therefore I do not need anyone to send them in for me. They just need a name and number on them. They also told me they've never really heard of the references being contacted, but I guess it's just standard to have the number and name on the reference. Totally fine. They didn't give any specific instructions that are required, so I feel good that I've called and clarified and know now. I've reached out to a past supervisor, previous pastor, and am having an RN coworker or two write one as well. There's a couple of LNA's I worked really well with in the past at a previous job, so I was considering having one of them write one as well even though other nurses and higher authorities are ideal, of course. I figured I'd ask for more than three, that way I'll have a diverse collection on file altogether, and also to help ensure I receive three back in a timely manner so I can submit my info as soon as possible because I potentially could have job in this state soon if things pan out and I obviously don't want to give my notice to my current job until I definitely know I have a processed license along with a new job.

Gino Vizzini · Feb 2, 2022

so, what happened to your licenses? did the single states notate anything from the “discipline”