Does being in a monitoring program make it harder to get nursing jobs for the rest of your life?

[NurseGray]

When I was being investigated, I had to sign a cease practice agreement, which was reported to the NPDB. I imagine this will show permanently on the NPDB. Now I'm in a monitoring program, which I obviously have to disclose to employers. But once I'm done with monitoring, won't any employer in any state be able to see what's on the NPDB? They'll obviously ask why I signed a cease practice agreement. Does this mean I'll have a hard time getting a hospital job for the rest of my career? 

Does anyone have any experience searching for jobs after finishing monitoring? Is it as difficult as finding a job while in monitoring? 

[SheelaDavis]

One final thing as a poster asked on statistics and my experience. In addition to working personally in the past with well over 100 nurses with BON issues and back to work stuff, etc, I have and continue to talk to probably over 500, literally 500 over the years in Caduceus Meetings meeting nurses from across the country who are either in monitoring or finished eith monitoring. Now, these are Caduceus Meetings. I don't work with these people personally. I'm retired. But I've listened to countless stories and will hear more tonight at 7pm via zoom with a group of about 30. And I will repeat, out of all the people I've worked eith personally or met in Caduceus Meetings over the years, nearly all of them get the job or career (NP, Midwife, CRNA, DNP, PhD) that they want after monitoring. But, many of them requires some work and effort. Meaning, having to move from your city to another or having to commute across town or having to apply for 10 schools instead of 1 or 2. Is that cumbersome? I think it is. But, is it overwhelmingly hard? I don't think it is compares to when they were in monitoring.

For some who can't get the job they want or having difficulty finding meaningful employment, there is usually one critical component in play. They refuse to move. They will NOT leave that town or city and I understand that. Many nurses can't leave or have obligations such as young children, school, parents etc. I get it. In that circumstance, its extremely hard. For the ones who finally were able to move, they landed the job or school or career. This is My Experience having listened yo countless stories.

It happened to me in Idaho. Could NOT get a job in Boise after monitoring in the ICU (my background). Could only get non ICU jobs and they weren't meaningful to me. So, I applied state wide. Found employment as an ICU nurse in Northern Idaho. Had to move. Worked a year and applied for NP school and got in. So again, what is considered "hard" is very relative to each person.

For me, I don't consider the above hard. I consider it More Work or More Difficult and Annoying, but in the grand scheme of things, I knew that if I moved, I would be better off 5, 10 years later and I was. 

But, if you completed a monitoring program and are in the exact same location and thinking a job is automatic without any move, well thats sometimes a pipedream for Many nurses. It's often not going to happen. Sometimes it will happen. 

[Prime]

So the thesis is: "I've listened to hundreds of stories on Zoom, therefore nearly everyone lands their dream job—unless they stubbornly refuse to move.” Got it.

Two problems:

"I heard it in Caduceus" ≠ data. That's a self-selected group with massive survivorship bias.

"Just move" ignores NPDB hits, insurer credentialing, HR auto-rejects, and real-life constraints like kids, custody, and money.

If your experience is that many do make it back—awesome. Then quantify it. Percentages, timelines, specialties, denial rates. Otherwise, we're grading policy with vibes and calling it statistics.

Let's stop telling people to pack a suitcase and start pushing for policies that open doors where they already live.

[SheelaDavis]

Prime said:

So the thesis is: "I've listened to hundreds of stories on Zoom, therefore nearly everyone lands their dream job—unless they stubbornly refuse to move.” Got it.

Two problems:

"I heard it in Caduceus" ≠ data. That's a self-selected group with massive survivorship bias.

"Just move" ignores NPDB hits, insurer credentialing, HR auto-rejects, and real-life constraints like kids, custody, and money.

If your experience is that many do make it back—awesome. Then quantify it. Percentages, timelines, specialties, denial rates. Otherwise, we're grading policy with vibes and calling it statistics.

Let's stop telling people to pack a suitcase and start pushing for policies that open doors where they already live.

Hogwash. Nobody wrote 'just move." That is Hyperbole, also known as Fallacy, of which "narci's" love. What was written was something to the extent of...a significant portion of nurses that do find trouble with employment after monitoring have higher incidences of not moving.  No, the experience is.....the overwhelming majority make it back. Recovery Centers have done data on that including the AANA.

NPDB hits is overhepemingly not an issue. Locally being blackballed is an issue. 

I will repeat and stay on subject in order not to give the narci its "daily fuel." "Narci's have to feed," so let me go back on track.

After nurses complete a monitoring program, the overwhelming majority not only find gainful and fulfilling employment, but most don't have major issues finding it. Barriers? Yep, thetr are some, but the overwhelming majority find meaningful employment, school, further education if they choose. Of the ones that do not, thr common denominator is.....they refuse to move. Fact is....just like me or anyone else that did divert or use or truly had a problem, We Did This, period. That means...you aren't exempt from the consequences and sometimes, moving to find employment is huge. The problem is.....the same level of Narcissism that Contributes to the Nurse using to start with remains in play. Entitlement. "I'm not moving, I should be able to work where I want and when I want and get the position I want because my monitoring timr is done." Well, that isn't the way life works.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Prime said:

I completed Arizona's state monitoring program from 2021 to March 2025. Since then, finding meaningful nursing employment has been almost impossible.

I have extensive experience, and when I interview, supervisors and staff are always enthusiastic—they see my value. But once my background check reaches HR or compliance, the door closes. Every time.

It's frustrating. It's demoralizing. I've been forced to accept the lowest-paying jobs in the lowest-tier facilities, despite my qualifications and dedication.

And I am not alone. Across Facebook, countless nurses share the same story. If you search for Recovery Room for Nurses, or Nurses for Change, you'll find a group where we're supporting each other and working toward change.

The problem is so pervasive that we are beginning to unite and call for legislative action—to give qualified nurses who have completed their monitoring programs a fair chance at employment. If we truly believe in rehabilitation, healing, and growth, then our systems should reflect those values.

This issue is now gaining national attention. I recently reached out to Arizona Representative Selina Bliss, who is currently developing a proposal on this matter. I don't yet know the specifics, but I look forward to hearing more—and I know this is just the beginning.

If you want to stay informed, join our Facebook group. Change will only happen if we stand together.

Even though I completed Monitoring in an Alternative to Discipline program many years ago I would stand with you if you need petition signers or personal testimony.