Denial of stipulated agreement?

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Hi, I'm from California and I was wondering if anyone out there can help me. I'll try to be brief and give my time line:

I graduated from nursing school in May 14 top of my class, but had to go through the enforcement department due to 3 misdemeanors from over 10 years ago. Two were for controlled substance possession and one for child endangerment d/t having my children in the home while possessing drugs. Long story short I've since changed my entire life, been clean for over 11 years and have worked in a hospital for 9 years. I attended 6 months residential treatment and had everything expunged from my record before I started nursing school.

finally after months and months, in October 14 the BRN denied my application. They allowed me to sit for my boards, and I agreed to try for a stipulated agreement. My file has been with th attorney General who is drafting a document. They said there might be some issues with it....not knowing what those might be, I'm worried sick that there will be nothing to offer me!

Has anyone ever heard of someone getting a stipulated agreement denied by the BRN after it's been sent by the Attorney General????

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What advice has your attorney provided?

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Unfortunately I didn't obtain a lawyer, I thought in the beginning that with all that I've accomplished and since they were expunged misdemeanors over a decade old that I would okay. I wish I could go back and start over,but regrettably I can not.

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Thats seriously screwed up... sorry- Best of luck to you.

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You need to look at the criminal history topic on this site. There is a lot of discussion regarding this issue. I am from California and anybody applying for an RN license will have to go through these steps. Any history of legal issues will have to go through the steps you are talking about. My friends son had a DUI at 17 & 21 years old. He is now 29 had his records expunged. He graduated last year was denied by the BRN, then appealed and allowed to take the boards. He has been waiting now almost 6 months for a stipulated agreement. The state is backlogged with RN's waiting for stipulated agreements. Now if you are already an RN and you have a dui or psych or addiction issue you will be referred to Diversion, a confidential program run by a company called Maximus.

The BRN will deny and let you sit for the boards, then you have to wait 6 months to a year or more for a stipulated 3 year agreement from Attorney General office requiring drug tests etc.

California fired there board of nursing staff back around 2007 when they were accused of not monitoring drug, alcohol addicted nurses and one with criminal records. Now anybody with some sort of record even if it is 20 years prior will be monitored for 3 years to make sure they are safe.

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Thanks gabby3!! I appriciate the support. I work for a wonderful hospital who is willing to support me in meeting all requirements of a probationary license, however my fear is that once the Attoney General sends me a stipulated agreement that the BRN might deny the agreement due to the nature of my crimes.

I can not change my past, but its been so long since my youth and I am certainly not the person I was back then. In fact, I sit on th ehospital foundation board and I am the employee representive for over 1,200 employees. I just want to support my community and make a difference in peoples lives and I am scared to death that the BRN will just say no and not allow me to be a nurse ever.

I would be crushed.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Hello there.

I'm not from California and am not familiar with this state's laws and regulations, however, I wanted to commend you on 11 years of sobriety. That is an amazing accomplishment and you should be proud of yourself. It sounds like you've come a long way and I don't think you've come this far for nothing. Keep doing what you're doing and something good will happen. Best of luck!!

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If you do not contest the stipulated agreement by the Attorney General(AG) then it goes in front of BRN hearing. Usually there are at least 30 or more stipulated agreements in front of the board and they usually agree with AG office recommendations.

Unless you are 100% innocent it is not worth contesting the BRN. Most nurses with lawyers get the exact same outcome as one without.

This applies to California. But I am not giving you legal advice, just sharing experience.

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Hi gabby3, I am not going to contest anything. I am fully willing to participate in any type of stipulations or probation that I may get. I just hope that they don't disagree with the AG plea deal for me.

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