Battling the BRN and how to get work While on Probation

[CA_ER_RN]

Has anyone succesfully gone up against their state's nursing board to address allegations made by an employer? Was just curious because an employer made an allegation against me which has followed me in my career. I am not going to admit to doing something I didn't do, but will do what it takes to keep my nursing license as I value my career. However, what I'm being told is that even if I take this to trial (with a very pricy, yet competent lawyer) and successfully plead my case the allegations will remain on my license for the whole world to see and even if a court finds me innocent, it's still the nursing board's final decision. When I spoke with my state's BRN the other day they told me I should expect to recieve at least 3 years probation, which leads to my next question.....

How likely is a nurse to gain employment while on probation? For those of you who are or have been in this situation, what (and when) do you tell potential employers?

[clarkbar72]

I have never personally went against the board, however I have been waiting to hear from them for 8 months and have heard nothing. I wish you go luck with that one. I have worked with nurses in the past who were on probation, restrictions and had previous license issues so I think you will be able to find something. At the least in a nursing home while you are going through the boards process. This would also allow you to gain some credibility for future jobs should the board permanently scar your license. Good Luck.

[CA_ER_RN]

Right now, nobody wants to hire me until this is completely settled. It's a VERY frustrating process.

[clarkbar72]

I feel your pain, I am going through something as well. It is hard to be in limbo and waiting on an ungoverned board of nursing. Maybe you could get a job somewhere in a medical setting that does not require a license. Try a DME company for customer service or a doctors office...

[79Tango]

No matter which way it goes-- You will want to keep copies of all your paperwork to provide to any potential employers. It sounds like you are doing the right thing by facing this head on. You will want to disclose up front and hopefully you wont have stipulations put on you. Employers are more receptive when they know exactly what is going on and do not find out about it on their own.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I've had employer complaints filed twice. Both times I wrote my reply to the board and the wrote back stating they were choosing to take no further action.

If they could have sent a big ** sticker to the hospitals involved that would have been A-OK dandy with me. My issues involved abandonment and patient safety.

[2pat]

NO!!! I have experienced the same event. It's been 2 years since the CA BON disciplinary action against my license occurred and I can not find work ANY WHERE!!!! Good luck even finding a human being in a HR capacity to speak to directly, and most medium to large hospital system purposely and openly state their policy to prevent hiring any license medical personnel on probation, or any adverse interaction with a former employer. I too would like to know who to turn to, where to get HONEST advice. I no longer trust attorneys, had two during this painful process, neither knew exactly how to deal with BON but made all kinds of claims of their knowledge and competency. I am trying to find work in software or medical devices, etc but my 20 years of advanced practice has been purely clinical based and I do not have the "business" experience to make an attractive candidate for these fields. It's grim my friend.

[2pat]

I am in the same situation. I can not complete my BON probation requirements, which they say are standard and customary disciplinary actions against an advanced practice RN, because NO ONE will hire me.