Completed Recovery But Can't Get Job

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Completed Recovery But Can't Get Job

Hi Nurse Beth,

I've been a nurse for over 35 years and my license has had a public discipline since 2005. I was put on probation for 2 years and completed a recovery program successfully in 2007. I have kept a current, unrestricted compact license since 2007. I have decades of med surg/telemetry and psych experience.

I would like to do some travel nursing but every company I've signed up with has gotten all of my documents, I've even completed interviews successfully, only to be notified by the agency right before the start date that the hospital rescinded the offer because I have been disciplined.

Shouldn't the agencies review your license before even presenting a nurse to the hospital? Is travel nursing something that I just need to give up on? Does magnet facilities not hire nurses that have public discipline? I have case management experience as well with 3 different insurance companies but since Covid openings are few and far between because everybody wants to work from home. My husband recently had a stroke and I've become the breadwinner of the household and have only been offered opportunities at psych hospitals that have bad reputations, just asking for a word of advice. Thanks.

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16 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear Asking,

Congrats on completing your recovery program and doing all that entails. I'm sorry you're having a hard time landing a job.

If I got this right, you haven't worked since 2007? That in itself is a challenge in addition to your record of public discipline. Look into taking a review course if you haven't already.

Magnet hospitals have no specific stipulations about hiring nurses who have been disciplined. That's a facility-specific and typically case-by-case decision. As far as hospitals turning down a travel nurse with a background of discipline, it's simply a risk decision. They are less likely to take a risk with a contract employee than with a permanent employee.

When having trouble re-entering the workforce, psych, dialysis and sub-acute opportunities are often the best bets. This is just to get you started and to establish a work history. In your case, remote case insurance sounds ideal with your background-maybe if you persevere and continue to apply, something will open up. You can even contact insurance companies that do not have jobs posted at present with a list of your experience and qualifications. It's a long shot, but your situation is going to take some extra effort.

For support and more information, visit our Recovery forum. You are not alone.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

I do take exception to someone saying only psych hospitals with bad reputations will hire me. It's very hard to find psych hospitals with high public reviews because the particular patient population doesn't tend to be happy about being in the hospital. In fact many of them are in the hospital against their will.  Still thousands of nurses with discipline have used psych as a stepping stone back to acute care. 

I might add that if OP is in Southern CA that I can help them get a job. They should IM me.

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Do you know if you are on the OIG list? If not you may have to work in something like dialysis or psych because they are generally more forgiving of past problems.

I understand wanting to travel but current data suggests the really big travel money is drying up as the Pandemic eases.

Specializes in Nurse Attorney.

If you are on the OIG exclusion list or excluded from a state medicaid program, you cannot work in ANY facility that accepts Medicare or Medicaid, regardless of how forgiving a prospective employer might be.  You need to get off that list before you are employable.

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
10 hours ago, MEDFET said:

Seems like the state this nurse resides does not want to bring her back at all

Ability to get hired after one of the programs has nothing to do with the state but a brief rundown of how it works. A state investigated and substantiated complaint often results in public discipline which stays on your liscense and public record along with the nature and facts of the complaint forever. If the offense is serious enough (Involving fraud, crimes of moral turpitude , theft from a patient or the Hospital (diversion of medication of hospital resources) are things that can end up with being listed as an excluded entity on the Office of the Inspector General list for 5 years during which the nurse cannot work for any any employer that bills Medicare or Medicade. 

Many Nurses are offered and opt for Alternative to Discipline programs which are a different type of nightmare but when completed leave no permanent mark on your liscense and often the nurse can work for part of the specified recovery period which enables them to have an income while working through the program. While it was extremely onerous I am convinced that for me at least the ATD program was a life saver and I would quite literally be dead  without it.

Hppy 

Thank you so much Nurse Beth and Hppy for responding and offering your insight and suggestions.  I was never taken off work, I just worked with restrictions for 2005--2007 at an LTACH that gave me a chance for which I am eternally grateful.  Hppy you are so right about psych facilities, they are never happy to be there.  I really should have said that differently.  I'm  actually in Texas and I have a compact license and a couple more that are not in the compact.  I just wanted to jump on the bandwagon to make some decent money for about a year.  I understand the hospitals reluctance to hire nurses in recovery, it IS taking a risk that they don't really have to, but I was thinking since I have so much experience and it's been so long ago they might allow it.  When I tell the recruiters about it I never hear from them again and it kinda makes me sad for a moment.  I wish I did live in Cali, Hppy  I'm in Texas for now but thank you that's so kind of you, I sincerely appreciate it.  Again thank you both.

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
5 hours ago, EdieBrous said:

If you are on the OIG exclusion list or excluded from a state medicaid program, you cannot work in ANY facility that accepts Medicare or Medicaid, regardless of how forgiving a prospective employer might be.  You need to get off that list before you are employable.

The op never stated they were on the OIG list and my comment was for if they were not on that list

Specializes in Nurse Attorney.

Oh I know that - was just explaining for people who might not know what you were referring to with the OIG list.

Specializes in CNA telemetry progressive care ICU.

Im inserting myself into this thread as im interested in learning how tge rehab process works for discipline nurses. Im curious if its tge state itself that has harsher restrictions.

Specializes in CNA telemetry progressive care ICU.

Seems like the state this nurse resides does not want to bring her back at all

On 8/17/2022 at 9:44 AM, EdieBrous said:

If you are on the OIG exclusion list or excluded from a state medicaid program, you cannot work in ANY facility that accepts Medicare or Medicaid, regardless of how forgiving a prospective employer might be.  You need to get off that list before you are employable.

How do you get off state lists?

On 8/17/2022 at 9:44 AM, EdieBrous said:

If you are on the OIG exclusion list or excluded from a state medicaid program, you cannot work in ANY facility that accepts Medicare or Medicaid, regardless of how forgiving a prospective employer might be.  You need to get off that list before you are employable.

Do you know how to get off these lists?

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