Discipline History on PA license

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I am an RN in PA.  I successfully completed my PNAP program and my license is active and unrestricted, however, when the nursing board originally contacted me when I got criminal drug charges I missed my window to voluntarily go into the program because my criminal lawyer told me not to talk to the nursing board and that he would handle it. He missed their deadline and I ended up not being able to voluntarily submit to the program and had to go through an eval and be placed in the program.  Because it was not technically voluntary I have a permanent disciplinary history on my license which I was told by my PNAP case manager will never go away and nothing can be done about it.  I have been working at the same job forever so it's not a huge issue but I want to go back to school and possibly get a different nursing job that could require multiple state or compact licensure and I feel this history on my license is going to limit me.  I was wondering if anyone has experience with either contacting the nursing board or having a lawyer get something like this removed.  There's a ton of lawyers in Pa for nursing license defense but I don't see anything on their websites about removing a history from the license.  Does anyone have any advise or experience on what I could try to do or should I just accept that it's there forever.  Will also post in the license forum.  Thanks!!

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Specializes in Home Health/Hospice, Public Health, Case Mgmt.

This kind of thing is probably what irks me the most about the BRN. They believe it is appropriate to punitively keep the nurse's punishment on their license forever. Legally,, people can have the criminal charges expunged or wiped, but the nursing board is like, nope! Gotta "protect the public.” ?. Unfortunately, there's not a lot to be done. Most states utilize Nursys, which is a database that also keeps track of your one-time discipline forever, because someone decided that would be a fantastic idea to do so.. it baffles my mind that the military, who has historically for me been absolutely ridiculous (I was in for 4 years) deals with substance abuse much better. They put people in a monitored program but it  is all between you and your supervisor and the people in the program. It's confidential and does not go on your record for everyone to see. I know a girl who was working with a senator here in CA to hopefully try and change things here but not sure what the status of that is. It really does need to be changed. It is not fair and very punitive. Rant over. LOL. 

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Yeah it is just awful. I've been through hell and back and I will forever be punished.  I emailed a lawyer and he confirmed nothing I can do.  I sent a letter to the board and the governor to at least try to get someone to help but I doubt they will. They jump at the chance to burn us at the stake but they don't care to help when we are doing everything right.  Very sad. If it hadn't been for this type of treatment I would have gotten help for myself before I got in trouble over it 

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
Lisa Reisman said:

Yeah it is just awful. I've been through hell and back and I will forever be punished.  I emailed a lawyer and he confirmed nothing I can do.  I sent a letter to the board and the governor to at least try to get someone to help but I doubt they will. They jump at the chance to burn us at the stake but they don't care to help when we are doing everything right.  Very sad. If it hadn't been for this type of treatment I would have gotten help for myself before I got in trouble over it 

I would be more angry at the lawyer who gave you bad advice.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Boards of nursing (BON) exist to protect the public, promulgate regulations to ensure nursing programs meet state standards and graduate meets minimal competency.   In PA, once a BON disciplinary action is confirmed it will always be on your record like most states and viewable to public on license search. 

Obtaining legal counsel with experience appearing before a BON is most important to protect ones license and livelihood. The American Assoc. of Nurse Attorneys is a good source to obtain one: https://www.taana.org/

Since you've been at the same job "forever" = steady employment that would be a bigger influence in continuing education college acceptance and future job.  As you completed PNAP program, maintaining an active PA license should permit you to endorse your license to another state.  Are you aware that PA has joined the nurse license compact (NLC), in the middle of implementation so can apply for multi-state license once PA completes legal issues and opens applications for multi-state license.   Remember it is easier to obtain a NEW job while you hold a CURRENT one per my experiences and interacting with HR as a hiring manager.

Best wishes for moving forward in your nursing career.

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