Employment after discipline...HELP!

[DannielleRN]

I have been an RN for 6 years. I did something stupid 5 months ago which resulted in an investigation by the nursing board and subsequent discipline in the form of a "reprimand" notated on my license. (The incident did not involve patient care at all.) My actual license was never in jeopardy of suspension and there are no additional stipulations or censures, it remains active and multi-state. Problem is- I cannot get a job! I have submitted in excess of 50 applications since the start of this nightmare... 4 different hospitals, dialysis, nursing homes, assisted living, home-health, even travel nursing! Most of the time I receive no reply at all, some of them I eventually receive the automated response, "Thank you for your interest but we have gone with another applicant" and a very small percentage- when I am persistent and speaking with a "real person" who is honest with me- will admit that it is because of the discipline. I even went so far as to call my state's BON and their response was, "It's only a reprimand! It is literally the least amount of discipline we are able to give. No, it will never come off of your license. It is not our job to help you gain employment after discipline." UGH!

I know there are thousands of RNs gainfully employed post BON discipline- somebody has to have advice or suggestions, right??

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Ask the BON to write you a note stating what they told you. Then be upfront at the time of application and enclose a copy. Offer to disclose it immediately, so it doesn't look like you're hiding anything. State that you would like to know if this facility will take the BoN letter into consideration when evaluating your qualifications to practice nursing. If properly worded you can make them say no, they wouldn't hold it against you.

You can also contact your malpractice insurance carrier (you DO have malpractice insurance?) and ask for a well-worded letter from the attorney there, who works for you by virtue of your premiums paid. (Yet another reason to have malpractice insurance.)

[DannielleRN]

No, I do not currently have malpractice insurance. I used to, but I think it lapsed about 2 years ago. I wish I did, because that is a great idea that I hadn't thought of- thank you!