CA RN on probation. Not finding work

I did dialysis while in the program. I can confirm that it doesn't pay well. I have a friend who got a job at a good hospital while on probation though. And a few people I've met through NSG were able to keep their hospital jobs. It's definitely not impossible to get a job while in monitoring. You might have to try something new though. Good luxk!

hppygr8ful said:

Are you on the OIG seclusion list?

I was, but was removed March 2024 before I began my job hunt. 

I am 

I Am in the same boat. Have not had any luck finding work. 100 + apps.dialysis, psych, hospice, CM, home health, SNF. No one will touch me.  6 years of ER.  Probation for "unprofessional conduct", fraternizing with a patient.

my probation monitor is useless. Looking at new careers to feed my kids

NurseBurtz said:

I Am in the same boat. Have not had any luck finding work. 100 + apps.dialysis, psych, hospice, CM, home health, SNF. No one will touch me.  6 years of ER.  Probation for "unprofessional conduct", fraternizing with a patient.

 

my probation monitor is useless. Looking at new careers to feed my kids

I can empathize with your situation. I submitted countless applications with only a small portion of prospects calling me back. Those that did only a small handful were willing to listen to my story. I was very candid in both my application and interviews about my probation status with the BRN, most which commended me on my efforts while others scoffed or turned heads at my situation.  The entire process has been humbling , to say the least.

I am going to update my post with my outcome above. I will say I have had better luck applying for public health nurse positions at various counties here in California. 3 of which offered me a position as a public health nurse. Just last week, I was fortunate to start at one of the jobs offered. 

Update: 

After 6 humbling, depressing months I would like to share that I was able to secure a position as a public health nurse with a nearby county in California. 
 

Not unlike many in similar situations, my license was revoked due to substance use disorder. I waited the 3 year period before being eligible to petition my license be reinstated. I utilized an attorney for assistance, but know of others who have gone through that process independently. 
 

The process is long, with it taking an additional 6 months between the attorneys work and the BRNs to have a scheduled hearing; which turned out favorably. 
 

Upon reinstatement and completing all the preliminary requisites required of me, I started my job search. It took 6 months before securing a position. During that preliminary period I have gone through several interviews and many application rejections. Interviews were often met with hesitation, and in some cases, bias towards addicted individuals (my perception, which can also be prone to bias).

Through the entire process I learned a few things that aided in better outcomes for myself. 
 

1. I found that some county public health nurse positions seemed to be more empathetic to journey, thus I made that the target of my application submission

2.  During the application process, be honest when asked those hard questions but be mindful how you frame your responses. The goal is to secure an interview where you have an opportunity to shine and provide more detail. 
Example: I was let go to substance related issues (not diverting) and being impaired at work (not my proudest moment). When filling out the application I explained that I separated/terminated from my prior employer due to health related issues. 
 

3. During the interview, answer all their questions honestly and wholly. If no question raised regarding termination, I took it upon myself to be fully transparent (keep in mind they can look it up online so no use attempting to paint the picture. Excuses will not resolve this matter, just provide cold facts. 
 

4. Provide some narrative showing growth and the steps you have taken to demonstrate that you are not the person you once were. Any effort you can provide to essentially outweigh the negativ can help you truly shine.Example: For myself, I did a self enrolled 1-year outpatient rehab program, participated in weekly counseling sessions with a addiction counselor/therapist, regularly met with a psychiatrist every 3 months to medically document my journey, and entered into a non-nursing masters program (this served as a back-up plan in the event my license was never returned )

In my opinion, the public health sector has a strong focus on equity and consideration for personal growth. At  the end of my journey, three separate counties offered me a public health nurse position (all within a week of each other); allowing me to have my choice in where I would like to work. Having options was certainly ann outcome I never would have considered possible for myself. 
 

I wish anyone on probation or diversion the best of luck through their journey and job hunt. I can speak first hand it was not easy, but if you lean into resiliency, you can do it and secure a nursing position while still navigating these two programs. 
 

Warm regards, 

Nurse_JD

Nurse JD,

I appreciate your message.  I can not send private messages.  Would you mind DMing me the counties you were able to get job overs at?  I live in San Diego, but will go anywhere for 6 months to keep my license.

Thank you

NurseBurtz and Nurse_JD, 

I am in the same boat, except my license is still pending probation. It will be any time now, for 3 years in California. It took the BON 4 years to build a case during a 4-5 month period during COVID, I was accused of medication charting errors with an oral pain medication. Our EMR system we used was Cerner and it was terrible so the charting is there just not in the "proper place". Not only do I have a 3 year probation but I got hit with $18,000 restitution. I would love to know what counties to look and what job description I would be looking for to start applying, in case I do lose my job. Can you message me the same info regarding counties etc? It would be really helpful. I have lived in a constant state of panic everyday for 5 years and it is getting to the point of complete nervous system collapse until I can find a way to not be homeless with my daughter and our pets.

Thank you, with so much gratitude, 

Nurse3

Nurse 3,

I'm sorry to hear your having to go through this process as well.  I wish I had some good news on my end to share, or some words of wisdom.  I have yet to find any employer or volunteer agency who is willing to jump through all the BRN probationary paperwork hoops.  I'm just logging all my rejection emails and compiling them should I not get a job at some point. Doing a different line of work altogether at this point. 
I've crushed about 30 interviews in the past 2.5 months of probation, with no luck.

Please do share if you find success. I'll move anywhere and do any nursing for the 6 consecutive months...

Respectfully,

NurseBurtz

Go to Google and type in

California Low Income Clinic RN jobs or California Low Income Clinic LPN jobs. Here's an example of one I found in a brief search.

https://www.jobapscloud.com/Solano/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1=22&R2=533010&R3=01

Every state has several primary care clinics that serve Low income/underserved populations. These patients will often have several comorbidities and increased levels of substance abuse. Many of the staff and supervisors at these places are usually friendly to nurses in recovery and many of them will have a background in recovery. Your ticket to returning to practice is at one of these clinics and they are all over California and often ran by the local County, but some are also private. It's not an easy job as the patient population can be difficult to work with, but it's a job and will be daytime hours and most of these clinics will not have opioids/controlled substances in the building, so you don't have to worry about narcotic issues related to restrictions.

Google things like "County Low Income primary care jobs" or "Underserved Clinic Nurse Jobs", etc.

Some will need to taper their expectations if they are a specialty nurse like ICU or ER. It's going to be very rare for an ICU or ER nurse to get their first job returning back in nursing in one these specialty areas. It happens, but it's very very rare. Work 1 year at a low income Clinic, then place the the ICU/ER applications which shows your future potential employer you have worked a year as a nurse with no issues and worked at a tough job. This dramatically increases your chances to land the new ICU or ER job or whatever your specialty is. 

NurseJackie69,

Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions, I will hit everything in SoCal within this arena of nursing. Hope and a prayer with every app out.  Happy New year.

Respectfully,

NurseBurtz