Anyone ever get their license back after revocation?

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Feb 19, 2009

And how do I "subscribe" to this topic?:bowingpur

Once you have posted in the thread (which you already have, obviously ), you are subscribed.

Welcome aboard. :)

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Feb 24, 2009

Good luck in your endeavor to get your license back. I never experienced this, but I wanted to congratulate you on your sobriety! :) Keep up the good work and hold your head high.

mmaphreak72 · Feb 24, 2009

You can get your license back, absolutely! You should, did you not earn it with all your hard work? Seek out an attorney that has experience with your state board. It is worth the $$. Don't face the board alone. They are not your friend. They exist only to protect the public from unsafe nursing practice. I would start with the attorney or speak with your states nursing peer assistance program. The exist to help nurse recover and get back to safe practice. Good luck, god bless!

elkpark · Feb 24, 2009

Congratulations on your recovery thus far! I have known one RN who lost her license for drug-related charges, and even served prison time for drug-related charges, and she did later get her license back (I was involved in making the decision to hire her).

So, yes, it is certainly possible.

I have no personal experience with this, but, since you will have to meet the state BON's requirements to get your license back, I would guess that the first step is to contact the BON and see what they have to say (about what requirements you would have to meet).

ReturningNurse23 · Feb 25, 2009

:thnkg: Good luck getting your license back!!

I am trying to get my license. I met the board in 2002 and was authorized to test if I went into the IPN (FL). I enrolled in the IPN and put off taking the NCLEX. Then I decided to quit the IPN 2003, before I tested...I asked to withdraw b/c I started a business and wasn't happy being in the IPN.

The economy has killed my business. So, after all these years, I'm going to try to get my license again. I have 5 letters of recommendation from college teachers and friends in the military. I'm having my psych write me an eval I can turn in with my app that says I'm competent and should be allowed to practice nursing. Plus, I'm writing a dynamite letter (In APA format) that explains why I quit nursing and what I've done to make myself a better man.

My psych said I should have no problems. We'll see what the board says...

Oh...By the way, I have next to nill experience. I'm going to be lucky to get a job, but I'm ready for the rejections. I'm just going to keep at it until I find something that works or someone that helps...

Good luck to you again and try to stay positive. :wink2:

Morganslake · Feb 27, 2009

Thanks so much, good advice.

theRykster · Mar 5, 2009

I am also in the process of trying to have my RN license reinstated (in Connecticut-revoked 12/2003 r/t EOTH). I appreciate advice such as mmmphreak72's about retaining a lawyer and seeking peer assistance groups, however...

Ever try paying a lawyer when you're nearly unemployable? The OIG exclusion is draconian. I was never even accused of any crime and I am excluded from more routes of employment than a convicted felon, with the state BON holding the only keys.

Peer support groups...

In Connecticut they are nearly non-existent and I have never gotten anything useful from attending any of them that I was able to locate. Anyone I approached for advice was so terrified of the BON that their responses were all variations on "Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here."

I have since moved to Massachusetts. I am dealing with the CT BON from here. After several years of false recoveries and relapses, I came to the Veterans Administration in Mass. I live in and now manage sober housing here and have been continuously sober since 10-17-07. I have letters from my sponsor, employer, therapist, psychologist, chaplain, and the APRN in charge of substance abuse treatment at the VA. All of the letters address my abstinence and commitment to my recovery. I will also be mailing off the final letter, my own, tomorrow.

As I mentioned, I now manage the sober house I have lived in since May of 2008. I am considered a volunteer, however, the VA waives my rent now that I am house manager. As I said, this is a VA operated sober house. Wait, here it comes...

Yes, the VA is federally funded. I just may be in violation of the OIG exclusion and after all of this time, I face the very real possibility of fines, jail and at the least, becoming homeless and jobless, again. This time, in sobriety.

Yeah, I'm ******.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 10, 2009

I don't have personal experience with it, but I did attend a BON meeting where a nurse who had her license revoked for substance abuse was able to get her license reinstated (pending completion of treatment). So it's possible.

And another thing I learned at the meeting: bring your own attorney to represent you if possible (I realize it may not be if finances are tight). But know that the BON will not provide one for you...and as already mentioned, the BON is not looking out for you, but for the public's interests first.

Good luck!

jackstem · Mar 11, 2009

Trying to deal with complicated issues with the board of nursing alone makes no more sense than defending yourself in a criminal case. As many folks on these boards have said, the BON isn't your friend and won't help you. If you're on the OIG list, you'll need the expertise of an attorney to deal with all the garbage there as well. There is an appeal process wherein you could possibly be removed from that list, but I can't remember off the top of my head what can be appealed and what can't. Many attorneys will work with you on a payment plan if they believe you have a good case. It would be worth a consult to see if there is anything that could be done.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

exnursie · Mar 18, 2009

As I mentioned, I now manage the sober house I have lived in since May of 2008. I am considered a volunteer, however, the VA waives my rent now that I am house manager. As I said, this is a VA operated sober house. Wait, here it comes...

Yes, the VA is federally funded. I just may be in violation of the OIG exclusion and after all of this time, I face the very real possibility of fines, jail and at the least, becoming homeless and jobless, again. This time, in sobriety.

Yeah, I'm ******.

The OIG excluison applies to payments / services involving medicare patients. I don't see where this could remotely enter into your situation. Federal funding comes from many sources and the VA administration isn't part of the social security/ medicare funds.

To reinstate your license does not require a lawyer and many many nurses have succeeded in doing so without the use of a lawyer. It does take lots of work and research and contact with the BON and can be time consuming.

I know many nurses who have been removed from the OIG list and it is a very straight forward process that definitely can be done without a lawyer.

theRykster · Mar 28, 2009

i actually came up in the va's monthly compliance routine. now the va's lawyer is all atwitter and sparring with the director of the program. she, (the director) is fighting the good fight on my behalf. so far, she is managing to make the argument that being the house manager is simply the terminal phase of my va treatment.

the fact is, that oig exclusion is not merely a medicare restriction. it very literally states - http://www.oig.hhs.gov/fraud/exclusions.asp -in part: federal health care programs include medicare, medicaid, and all other plans and programs that provide health benefits funded directly or indirectly by the united states...

anyway, enough of that. the positive side is this:

i (and my sponsor) will be be standing before the connecticut board of nursing examiners on wednesday, april 1st to make my case for reinstatement.

wish me luck!