Declaratory order to Texas BON

sunnydaysahead · Feb 16, 2011

I am still waiting to hear from the Texas BON. They did send me a letter letting me know that they are still reviewing my file. It said that it could take 3 to 6 mo.! I was supposed to start the nursing program this Spring, but there is a new rule stating that you need a clear background check b/4 you can even start classes due to students in the past who did not get their background check done b/4 clinicals. So I have to wait and reapply for Fall. I'm over it, but it was upsetting at first not to mention putting graduation off another semester! :mad: Fingers crossed that they send my card with the ok before June so I can rest easy and start school this Fall. If anyone knows how long it takes once in the Enforcement Dept. would be helpful, I know they say it could take 3-6 months, but does it really? What takes so long? :confused:

kristentx · Feb 18, 2011

Yeah my school lets you start if you are accepted without your approval but you have to have it by clinicals thats why im absolutely panicing that I hurry up and get it back. I would be so devestated if I had to stop and re-begin next semester after I've already finished weeks of school and paid all that money. I thought the 3-6 months would be from the first day they recieve your application or whatever but it starts over if it is transferred to enforcement. I really didnt think it'd really take that long but who knows now. I guess I will call again and try to figure out something but so far that hasn't given me anything. All I was told that your file is given to an investegator who looks into your case then makes a decision so I guess it depends on how many case each investigator gets and how fast they personally do them. But trust me I know your worry its so fustrating waiting and have no control at all on the process! Good luck though I hope we all get it ASAP!!!

sunshyn_42 · Feb 18, 2011

I am in the same boat! Panicking more now after reading some of these. Mine sounds worse than it is, but geeeze. I have refusal to sign a traffic citation and resisting arrest WITHOUT violence. They were together. I was 21 and am now 28. US military for 11 years, work at NASA, have a national secret security clearance and government sec. clearance, but I have to go through all this to get approved for nursing school. lol. WOW. This is a bit of work. I sent in my paperwork Feb 1 overnight. I have done my L-1 and am now just waiting and hoping. I'm applying for Fall 2011, but all the schools here in TX want the order prior to accepting you for the program.

kristentx · Feb 19, 2011

Wow that is crazy, alot of the stuff they send to enforcement I wouldnt even be a big deal. I mean even if someone did something awful that they wouldnt approve, I dont understand what takes so long for them just to say yes or no, it seems pretty black and white to me especially because we already send in certified copies of what we have and written letters explaining. I wish there was ANY way to speed it up but there isnt and so all you can do is wait and wait.....

J.e.n.n · Apr 1, 2011

I filed a Declaratory Order with the TX BON in February 2010 and did not receive my clearance until December 2010. The charges were a DWI in 1993 and a returned check in 1996. It is difficult to wonder each day if you are going to be cleared and I got more than a few gray hairs during that time! Patience and positive thinking is your best bet ; ) Good Luck to everyone in this situation!

Jen

sunshyn_42 · Apr 4, 2011

I am in the same boat! Panicking more now after reading some of these. Mine sounds worse than it is, but geeeze. I have refusal to sign a traffic citation and resisting arrest WITHOUT violence. They were together. I was 21 and am now 28. US military for 11 years, work at NASA, have a national secret security clearance and government sec. clearance, but I have to go through all this to get approved for nursing school. lol. WOW. This is a bit of work. I sent in my paperwork Feb 1 overnight. I have done my L-1 and am now just waiting and hoping. I'm applying for Fall 2011, but all the schools here in TX want the order prior to accepting you for the program.

UPDATE: I received my Decaratory Statement in Mid-March. It gave me approval to take the exam upon completing school requirements, however; you have to submit this letter with an application to take the test 90 days prior to graduation. (Basically, everyone has to submit an application and go through a background check, but doing so 90 days in advance with this letter, may expedite your approval if there are no other charges on you.) Good luck to the rest of you.

Shandrickat · May 22, 2011

Have you heard anything from the BON yet? I got accepted to the LVN program, and the Dean said that I can't start until I get my approval from the BON. I hav been sick to my stomach everyday wondering is it going to come or I can't start until Jan 2012 Im hoping to hear something soon.

tsheen86 · Jun 13, 2011

I also have to submit a petition for a declaratory order. I was arrested 4 years ago for possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces. I went to court but was not convicted. The arrest was a huge eye opener and I have changed so many things for the better. I'm driving to Austin in 2 days and hand delivering evrrything. I really hope a past mistake doesn't squash my dreams. I worked so hard to be accepted into the nursing program

sunnydaysahead · Jul 13, 2011

Update, I finally received a certified letter telling me that I have to submit to an Alcohol dependency evaluation. This eval cost 1,500.!!! I already sat out a semester and was accepted to fall of 2012 again. I probably will have to sit out this fall too! Due to a DUI in 1986 and minor w/ open container in 1988!!!!! Please! I feel like I have spent a ton of money just to attend school!! I have taken over a years worth of prerequisites to get into the RN program, incurred debt to a student loan and now it seems I have to wait for all of this to clear up, just to start school. Not to mention all the money going to the TBON!! I feel like they are trying belittle me. My offenses are older that most of the students attending school with me! I my grades up to this point have all been A's and B's. I have worked so hard to get to this point and it seems that although the door is not completely shut, I just can not get it open enough to just attend school! I will go through the hoops and try to keep positive, but it is getting harder everyday to not be FED UP with the Texas Board of Nursing! They are not there for nurses, they are NOT your friend. I am paying the price for what I did as a teenager over 25 years ago. Not to mention I paid a boat load of money back then plus attended alcohol classes and successfully completed probation. Plus, this wasn't supposed to show up once completed as it was a diversion!!!!! I will re post when I find out the out come after I am evaluated. I doubt I will be able to start the RN program this Aug. As we all know how the TBON drags their feet!

nickalicious · Jul 17, 2011

I too sent in a Declaratory Order I received a letter yesterday saying I needed to send in $150 because my case was beginning sent to an enforcement officer for further review. I new this process could take a long time so I haven't even applied for nursing school but its so early I wouldn't even be able to start until summer or fall of 2012 so all I have is time. I was curious to know if the BON could deny you before going to the enforcement officer? I'm just looking for a glimmer of hope I have a lot of odds against me because of non violent, non drug felony charges that are 5 years old. If they didn't deny me then I have hope but if they can't deny me without it being reviewed further then I will be even more stressed but I still I have to hope for an approval.

RecoverRN · Jul 26, 2011

I have been a nurse for ten years. When I was 18, I was arrested for theft and received deferred adjudication. I did not realize until it was nearly time to graduate that I would need to disclose this to the Texas BON and basically put myself at their mercy to allow me to take the NCLEX/become a licensed RN. I was panicked and scared. I submitted the paperwork and had NO trouble whatsoever. Once I was able to prove that I had completed all of my court-ordered community service and probation requirements, they were quick to clear me. If all you have on your record is misdemeanor theft, you should have NO problem with the TX BON (in my experience.)

HOWEVER, if you are dealing with a prior drug/alcohol arrest or conviction, be prepared. They will NOT make it easy for you to obtain your licensure. From what I've learned, even if your drug/alcohol issue was 20 years ago, they will put stipulations on your license and ability to practice (UNLESS you have extensive proof- on paper- of your rehab/recovery.) Sadly, a DUI 20 years ago will create MANY problems for you as you attempt to obtain licensure. I would suggest using an attorney to expunge those types of things from your record before even entering nursing school, if possible. You just don't want the Tx BON to know about that kind of thing, or they will make your life a living hell.

rroo · Nov 7, 2011

Hello all, I am new to this forum.. I am very worried and sought for a little extra help, advice and support. I graduated in August 2011 from a nursing school here in texas with a bachelor of science in nursing. Before begining my application process to the BON I printed my record and was suprised on what I saw.. there were violations from over 10 years ago. I began my application process shortly after graduating as I wrote a letter explaining my offenses.. most including traffic violations that turned in to warrants that were later paid, and in one case was arrested then paid for the fines. I had theft under 50 from when I was 14 when a friend of mine got caught stealing and I help took the blame, I noted this on my letter to the BON. I had alcohol miner in possesion when police showed up at a party and I was not even drinking. alcohol detectable under 21 was also on my record from another occasion when I was driving and my friends were drinking.. it is noted as non-prosacutable on my record, as to where they could not prove I was drinking, and I was not. I sent in my application along with the explanatory letter in september. Today I recieved a letter stating I too need to pay the 150 and my file will be fowarded to enforcement department. I ask WHY? I wrote and extensive letter and do not understand what the enforcement department needs to follow up on It has already almost been 3 months since I graduated and the letter says it can take a minimum of 4 months!! will I even remember all the information obtained in nursing school?? I am so worried. I feel I have the worse luck ever. I am a dedicated person and joined nursing to care for people.. and now have these obtacles, even after I was able to survive nursing school. Can anyone offer me advice or support if they were in a similar situation. It would greatly be appreciated!!