Anyone with experience petitioning for license after a mandatory ten year suspension in PA, or anywhere?

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Specializes in Justice ⚖️ Nursing.

I'm coming up on my ten yr suspension period ending. It was for a felony charge (diversion...controlled substance act...). When it first happened I was (of course) ordered for inpatient rehab 30 days but left early and considered non-compliant with PNAP (PA program). So, I was on my own. I completed extensive rehabilitation and have been sober for 5 yrs. My question is what am I facing if I do petition the BON for reinstatement? I've read court cases and it looks like the excuse that ppl did not use the BONs approved treatment facility, nor their ONE MD for another evaluation they will not grant the petition, unless you go through the entire process again and work with their program. Yet, I was told back then that you only get one chance with them. So I'm curious if anyone has experience with this and would like to share? Thank you! ??❣️

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Specializes in Previously was an RN.

This is as of 2016 when I did it: Contact PNAP and ask them specifically what they want you to do, where they want you to go, how they want it written, what papers need filled out, who they want them filled out by, etc. it is very very very very important. Anything not done correctly the first time will set your time back. They only count your time starting when all the paperwork is submitted correctly, they review it, process it, and approve it. If they deny it and send it back, you have to redo whatever was not acceptable and then resubmit it, and then whoever checks it that time may not like something else and force you to fix something else etc etc. Again all this sets your time back from starting your 3 years. The faster you complete your paperwork, but complete it 100% correctly, the faster your 3 years will be over. Best to call/email with any questions. Make sure you are specific as possible. The vaguer your questions are, the vaguer the answers you will receive. You also need to find out who your area person is to do the admission and run your groups. They will also be a resource (I hope yours is actually nice, helpful, and caring) they may be able to answer all your questions without you having to wait on PNAP. My person actually told me the wrong information leading to me waiting an additional month to starting my 3 years so it is up to you who you want to trust. 

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Specializes in Justice ⚖️ Nursing.

My thing is I already dealt with Pnap back in 2014. Because I didn't stay inpatient for the whole 30days I was considered non-compliant. So my stuff went onto suspension and because I was charged with a felony, the license was suspended for a mandatory 10 years. My lawyer said "you only get one shot at Pnap, you won't get another chance". I don't want another chance with them, so that's good. However, the stipulations on my paperwork from the BON says in order to petition for reinstatement the 10 years must lapse, then I have to prove that I have had extensive rehabilitation and am safe to practice, and have completed any fines/probation etc. I will definitely meet all the requirements but I know how the BON is and I don't see them just accepting the evidence of treatment, etc. I saw that on someone else they wanted at least a year or 2 (I think 2) of clean UA tests....and must be recent to the time of petitioning. I totally understand this but how the hell would anyone know they would say that and be prepared to hand that proof over...and also pay out of pocket to have them done at a lab?! Only reason I know of it was from reading this guys court docket. So once I petition them I'm just wondering what am I in for?! Especially since my one and done with pnap was over. They should have a written policy of exactly what they consider proof of extensive rehabilitation....they don't and that is not right. Check out Act 53 also...there have been some reforms made under this act. It's interesting. That should have been reformed to. They can no longer say that anyone is of questionable moral turbitude because that is too vague. 

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Specializes in Occupational Health.

You're welcome to your opinion regarding the process but, ultimately, the BON and PNAP do not care about your opinion.

The only way to find out the answer to your question(s) is to contact them directly and obtain explicit written directions/guidelines regarding requirements.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Justice ⚖️ Nursing.
sleepwalker said:

You're welcome to your opinion regarding the process but, ultimately, the BON and PNAP do not care about your opinion.

The only way to find out the answer to your question(s) is to contact them directly and obtain explicit written directions/guidelines regarding requirements.

Good luck!

Yes, I'll definitely need that luck, because they aren't going to do that!

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Lust4life said:

My thing is I already dealt with Pnap back in 2014. Because I didn't stay inpatient for the whole 30days I was considered non-compliant. So my stuff went onto suspension and because I was charged with a felony, the license was suspended for a mandatory 10 years. My lawyer said "you only get one shot at Pnap, you won't get another chance". I don't want another chance with them, so that's good. However, the stipulations on my paperwork from the BON says in order to petition for reinstatement the 10 years must lapse, then I have to prove that I have had extensive rehabilitation and am safe to practice, and have completed any fines/probation etc. I will definitely meet all the requirements but I know how the BON is and I don't see them just accepting the evidence of treatment, etc. I saw that on someone else they wanted at least a year or 2 (I think 2) of clean UA tests....and must be recent to the time of petitioning. I totally understand this but how the hell would anyone know they would say that and be prepared to hand that proof over...and also pay out of pocket to have them done at a lab?! Only reason I know of it was from reading this guys court docket. So once I petition them I'm just wondering what am I in for?! Especially since my one and done with pnap was over. They should have a written policy of exactly what they consider proof of extensive rehabilitation....they don't and that is not right. Check out Act 53 also...there have been some reforms made under this act. It's interesting. That should have been reformed to. They can no longer say that anyone is of questionable moral turbitude because that is too vague. 

 

I just started out this nightmare of a journey after being terminated for suspicion of narcotic diversion. I already hired a lawyer who said that after speaking with the AG office, that they are pursuing felony criminal charges. Do you have any advice or words of wisdom after your ordeal? My.lawyer said that his goal is going to be to hopefully get the charge dropped down to a misdemeanor although Im not sure how realistic that is..

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