Hello everyone-I just need to vent....I just keep waiting for my life to get better & it never really does. My story is that I became addicted to Percocet in 2003 after going through a length flare-up of Crohn's Disease, which resulted in toxic megacolon. About two years prior to this illness, I had escaped-with my 3 children-from an extremely abusive marriage. I was naturally mistrustful of men, but after about a year, I began dating someone I knew since the 3rd grade. "Dave" was a medic who worked in the same ER as me. I kind of knew that Dave was a drinker, but I never suspected that Dave was taking the left-over morphine home for his own use...well, Dave ended up introducing me to IV narcotics...I was so stupid & lacking in self-esteem that I began to take home the "left-overs" from the ER for us to "party" with...before long, I was addicted and horribly ashamed, so I turned myself in...I ended up in the VRP & was given a seocnd chance with a part-time position on the IV team at the same hospital, but I blew that because I could not pay the bills by working part-time, so I ended up working for an agency-and I got caught stealing narcotics...mistake after mistake....my license was then suspended for 3 years, during which time I was fortunate enough to find temp postions in Drug Safety. I petitioned for my license re-instatement in October 2008 & was placed on probation for 3 years. Finally, I could return to Nursing! Howver, the economy changed so that for the first time since I remember, there are no nursing positions-or Drug Safety positions-in this area....I've almost lost my home twice, went through bankruptcy, endured my ex taking me to court twice for child custody, my power was turned off, etc...and on top of all this, I still have to deal with the Crohns, so I get IV Remicade treatments once a month..I am also attended Professional Support group and NA meetings as required by my program....ANYWAY. Davita hired me in August as a full time hemodialysis nurse. During the interview, I revealed my On Probation status and was told "Don't worry-it's not an issue-I've dealt with this program before." Anyway, I went through their excellent orientation program, passed the test, and I am now working at a clinic. The problem? The pay is only $30/hr-and I am not getting full time hours. I spoke with the manager about this and was told-"I only have to guarantee each nurse 30/hours a week." I checked with the 5 other nurses and was told "that's why we all have second jobs." But my problem is that very few people will hire me while I am On Probation, especially in this very bad economy!! I am soo scared/can't sleep at night-because AGAIN, I can't pay the bills and I am losing our tiny house...I tried to call another clinic and spoke with their manager about getting more hours-she seemed very interested and promised to call me by the end of the week-but now it is Saturday and I never heard from her...I am so afraid that she changed her mind because of my On Probation status, even though I told her that she could call my boss to find out more about me (my excellent work ethic, how I have NEVER called out or have been late, how I am well-liked & motivated, etc ). My boss even made me Anemia Manager 2 weeks ago after saying that she she was impressed with my nursing skills and how consciencious I am...
I'm also from PA. I'm in the same financial sewer that you're in, ChristiRN. If only I could get a job making $30/hour---even $20! I'm making $10.20/hour, I still need 19 more months of drug screens before I go before the board, even though my suspension was up in 08. I was going through chemo at that time and just couldn't do the reinstatement process. I couldn't afford then and honestly I still can't afford it. I don't know how I get by each month; my brother is now living with me and that helps a little....
I really can't complain too much about my nursing assistant job, even though I'm underpaid; (as ALL of my hardworking coworkers are) and overqualified. The company that I work for actually has really great health benefits.
I am an RN on probation in CA. My probation results from a DUI in 2004. They attempted to accuse me of giving narcotics (morphine) in the holding room without an order. Due to the hospital being in the first few days of conversion to computerized medical record EPIC, conflicts in witnesses testimony, and the fact that we had a standard recovery order set helped me to avoid prosecution. I had no prior problems with my employment record. The CA Board still awarded me probation due to the DUI. There were never any issues of addiction or problems with narcotics. My evals both mental and physical were deemed "normal". Although once your license is labeled probation it seems impossible to find work. I've been an RN for 19 years and am fearing for the end of my career. Any suggestions? And for you of those awaiting news from the Board, expect the worse; as that is probably what will happen. My employer attempted to keep me working, but the Board refused to allow me to work in IR, radiology as they thought I was working too independently. Eventually I was let go from UCSF after several months of communicating with the Board to try to come to terms. The answer from the Board took several months. It has been determined that I would have to work in a nonclinical setting. I am currently applying for these types of positions, but now I am not considered "in house". The past several months have been extremely upsetting. The Board does not care about what is happening to us, we are a number, not a person.
Did you ever find an RN job while on probation? I surrendered my California RN license due to a drug possession charge that was dismissed by the criminal court and had absolutely nothing to do with patient care. I was physically on a leave of absence from work at the time. I'm considering petitioning the board for reinstatement and understand I will most likely be placed on a 3 year probation. My major concern is finding employment as an RN while on probation and the cost recovery for probation.
Did you ever find an RN job while on probation? I surrendered my California RN license due to a drug possession charge that was dismissed by the criminal court and had absolutely nothing to do with patient care. I was physically on a leave of absence from work at the time. I'm considering petitioning the board for reinstatement and understand I will most likely be placed on a 3 year probation. My major concern is finding employment as an RN while on probation and the cost recovery for probation.
Yes, I did find a job while on probation. But IT WAS HARD, I had many many many NOs before a yes. My probation was successfully completed last year with the Board. All I can tell you is that it will be difficult but its not impossible. Good luck to you!
WadeRN - Thank you for your comment. It gives me a glimmer of hope that I will find a job and can do this. I have decided that petitioning the California board for reinstatement is what I need to do. I am a nurse, it's who I am. I am not going to let some bad choices I made in the past take away my nursing profession. One last question, once you completed probation, were you able to get good jobs again and does any of that board action continue to follow you today? Was your name ever put on Nurs-SYS data bank? I understand once your name is on there, it never goes away.
WadeRN - Thank you for your comment. It gives me a glimmer of hope that I will find a job and can do this. I have decided that petitioning the California board for reinstatement is what I need to do. I am a nurse, it's who I am. I am not going to let some bad choices I made in the past take away my nursing profession. One last question, once you completed probation, were you able to get good jobs again and does any of that board action continue to follow you today? Was your name ever put on Nurs-SYS data bank? I understand once your name is on there, it never goes away.
I am nurse and will always be a nurse so I can relate to your fire to regain your profession. Your disciplinary actions will ALWAYS be tied to your license. Its public records but let me assure you, you are not the first nurse with disciplinary actions and you won't be the last. I have been gainfully employed for 5 years as a Nurse supervisor, I started this job when I was on probation and was in a bedside position. Since then I have advanced every year and now I am in management which I love. I thank God everyday for this job and the opportunities I've had to excel. My "mistakes" have made me a better nurse and a better human being. I can relate better to people, I can understand their shortcomings without judgement because I have now walked in their shoes. You will be on Nurse's databank I'm not sure what your career aspirations are so not sure how this will affect your career. Personally I was ok with being an RN with an associates degree but after my disciplinary actions I decided it would be in my best interest to advance my degree so I would have more options. I'm currently in pursuit of my Master's. I hope this helpful to you.
If your state offers a monitoring agreement as opposed to probation (I am in Nevada and they do both), then your discipline will never be made public if you complete your contract. My name is clear in NurseSys even though I surrendered my license and was placed on contract. This is because I was offered a monitoring agreement rather than a probationary one. If I had violated my contract while on it, then I would have been placed on a probationary one and all my info would have been placed in the national data bank, showing my discipline.
My case was that I was in an abusive relationship and in the process of leaving he stopped me, I called the cops and he turned the situation on me. He claimed I was chasing him with a knife. Anyways I'm in California now and when I applied I gave them the info of my arrest in Kansas and I was put on probation for something I was not charged for. After reading your post I looked up Davita and there are two locations near by.
I will defiantly be calling and applying. I was a labor and delivery nurse and for 4 1/2 years I have not worked so hopefully they can train me. At this point after loosing everything and I mean everything I would not care if I made 10. 00 hr just to work this probation off.
hi dbaray5239! I will be starting my probation soon, and am also in CA with background mainly in OB. I am wondering how the job hunt has been for you? Have you tried getting a job at Davita? After seeing these post I too will try to apply there. *crossing fingers*
My case was that I was in an abusive relationship and in the process of leaving he stopped me, I called the cops and he turned the situation on me. He claimed I was chasing him with a knife. Anyways I'm in California now and when I applied I gave them the info of my arrest in Kansas and I was put on probation for something I was not charged for. After reading your post I looked up Davita and there are two locations near by.
I will defiantly be calling and applying. I was a labor and delivery nurse and for 4 1/2 years I have not worked so hopefully they can train me. At this point after loosing everything and I mean everything I would not care if I made 10. 00 hr just to work this probation off.
dianna
hi dbaray5239! I will be starting my probation soon, and am also in CA with background mainly in OB. I am wondering how the job hunt has been for you? Have you tried getting a job at Davita? After seeing these post I too will try to apply there. *crossing fingers*
sorry, if i'm double posting. i'm still trying to figure out how this site works
Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.
WadeRN - Thank you for your comment. It gives me a glimmer of hope that I will find a job and can do this. I have decided that petitioning the California board for reinstatement is what I need to do. I am a nurse, it's who I am. I am not going to let some bad choices I made in the past take away my nursing profession. One last question, once you completed probation, were you able to get good jobs again and does any of that board action continue to follow you today? Was your name ever put on Nurs-SYS data bank? I understand once your name is on there, it never goes away.
xjailnurse
8 Posts
I'm also from PA. I'm in the same financial sewer that you're in, ChristiRN. If only I could get a job making $30/hour---even $20! I'm making $10.20/hour, I still need 19 more months of drug screens before I go before the board, even though my suspension was up in 08. I was going through chemo at that time and just couldn't do the reinstatement process. I couldn't afford then and honestly I still can't afford it. I don't know how I get by each month; my brother is now living with me and that helps a little....
I really can't complain too much about my nursing assistant job, even though I'm underpaid; (as ALL of my hardworking coworkers are) and overqualified. The company that I work for actually has really great health benefits.