Feels license was suspended unfairly

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

To clarify, a complaint against you was filed with the BON (Board of Nursing) concerning one or more children, leading to your referral to HPSP (Health Professional Services Program). You engaged in the program for 23 months, during which you had two admissions, missed two urine analyses, and a quarterly report. As a result, you were removed from the program, and your license was suspended. The BON now requires you to provide evidence of one year of sobriety and to demonstrate that you are managing your mental health effectively.

It's discouraging, but focus on the long-term goal and stay the course. Your license was not revoked; it was suspended, so they gave you another chance. 

The likelihood of getting your RN license reinstated after a suspension depends on several factors, including the reason for the suspension, how you've complied with the board's conditions, the state's nursing board policies, and the specific steps you've taken to demonstrate fitness to practice.

Change Your Mindset

First, adopt a proactive mindset, as it will be reflected in every interaction with the BON. Currently, you perceive yourself as a victim who has been treated unjustly. This demeanor comes off as complaining, which won't benefit your case with the BON.

Instead, be humble, transparent and cooperative.

Proactive Mindset

Adopting a proactive mindset means you take control of your situation rather than letting it control you. This shows the BON that you are responsible for your actions and committed to personal growth and change. Focusing on the steps you've taken to improve demonstrates that you are ready to return to practice safely and responsibly.

 It shows initiative, and it will help frame your interactions in a positive light. It's also a sign of maturity and self-awareness, which the BON will appreciate.

Take responsibility for missed deadlines. As Kasey Kiesler wisely advised, when dealing with an inflexible but powerful entity with authority over your license, you must jump through all the hoops. 

Humility, transparency, and cooperation are powerful traits to demonstrate to the BON. By adopting a proactive mindset, showing personal accountability, and focusing on positive progress, you position yourself as someone ready to return to practice safely. It's a shift in perspective that will benefit you in the long run.

Document Sobriety

• Affidavit or statement. A signed statement from you detailing your sobriety journey over the past 10 years can be powerful. Be clear about the steps you've taken to maintain your sobriety, like support groups, self-help programs, or therapy. If you can provide evidence of any treatment programs you've attended in the past, even if they're not current, that may help build your case.
• Urine screens. Even though you've had clean urinalysis tests in the past, consider submitting more recent screens to prove your continued sobriety if possible. 
• Sponsor or support letters and character references. Testimony or letters from AA sponsors, support groups, or people who have witnessed your recovery can be helpful. These show your commitment to long-term sobriety.
• Likewise, letters from colleagues, mentors, or supervisors who can attest to your professionalism, growth, and commitment to sobriety will help strengthen your case. 

Mental Health Management

• Therapist documentation. Since you're getting set up with a mental health doctor, ask them for documentation of your treatment plan, including how often you're meeting and the progress you're making. If you're seeing a therapist regularly, they could provide a report that outlines your mental health care and how you're managing your mental health.
• Medication. If you're taking any prescribed medications for mental health, be sure to include documentation that supports this, showing you're under the care of a licensed provider and following their instructions. 

Additional Steps

• Communication with the BON. Provide clear and thorough documentation about your sobriety, mental health, and treatment progress. Be proactive in showing that you're not just meeting the minimum requirements but are fully committed to maintaining your health and practicing safely.
• Consider consulting with a lawyer specializing in nursing license issues or professional licensing matters. They can advocate for you during the reinstatement process.

Finally, consider continuing education related to substance abuse and mental health issues, part-time work in healthcare, or volunteering, even though you're not actively practicing as an RN. This shows that you're still connected to your profession and can return to it safely. With your 10 years of sobriety, maybe you can find a way to help others struggling with substance abuse.

Check out the Nurses Recovery forum for support and information. Best wishes.

Nurse Beth

 

[Kasey Kiesler]

I, too, am from Minnesota. I went through the HPSP program too. It's tedious but necessary. It's difficult to understand why this was required if there was no proof of wrongdoing. They take chemical dependency and mental health very seriously so it's hard to grasp why you were referred. With that being said, now that the board is involved, things become trickier. The hoops to jump through are much more extensive. Without sounding harsh...They do not care if you cannot find a ride to submit a UA. It simply needs to be done. Same with quarterly reports. It just needs to be done. They accept no excuses. You'll have to attend meetings and submit drug tests and likely go to treatment again, from what it sounds like. I'd be happy to help with this process as I have been through it before. And come out on the other side. Best wishes to you!