Formal Charges Filed

[abirdfrank, ADN, LVN, RN]

Hi all, I am new to the site and love all of the helpful info! I was reported to the Texas BON 2 1/2 years ago for misdocumentation, and diverting (that isn't the term they are using) 2 pills 6 months apart. A year and a half ago I attempted to take my own life, ended up in the ER where at some point they did a UA and it came back positive for 2 drugs, and apparently reported these findings to the BON. I have a great lawyer who is fighting hard for me.

So my question/concern is that when you look up my license it does show that Formal Charges were filed in December however I have no disciplinary action against me at all.

I need some help in knowing or learning where to put job applications in, please can anyone help?! Thanks!

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

What does your lawyer say? In general if you do not have orders (stipiulations, education, etc.) then until you do...you don't and can say "no" to that question.

If I understand you, you license says you have an open investigaton?

[abirdfrank, ADN, LVN, RN]

My lawyer told me today that I am no longer in the confidential stages of my case and I must disclose that formal charges have been filed against me. She is going to send me a letter to give to potential employers that explains how formal charges work. Meaning I have no stipulations or restrictions on what I can and can't do. When someone searches my license, at the bottom of the page it states "FORMAL CHARGES FILED 12/11/2019" so that being the case, I need to be forthcoming about these charges.

[AbbeyR, ADN, BSN]

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Have you been working or are currently looking for work? When your employer reported to the BON did you take a UA or hair test?

[abirdfrank, ADN, LVN, RN]

I have been working until yesterday, I resigned due to what I felt like was harassment by a male employee. So this will be my first job hunt since formal charges were filed and I'm terrified! When I met with my former boss and HR, very little was explained, I was devastated. No UA, hair, fingernails or anything was collected.

[AbbeyR, ADN, BSN]

You should not have felt like you had to resign, you should go back to your HR and explain the harassment. Based on what I read on the forum it’s really difficult to get a job with restrictions or probation or in a monitoring program. I’m going to be in a similar situation as you and I just want to be able to work!

[abirdfrank, ADN, LVN, RN]

I went to my DON Three times with concerns about this person and each time he denied and I ended up looking like a liar and a fool. Trust me, I did not want to walk away from my job because I knew it was going to be a nightmare trying to find employment. As I investigate more, I am learning that some places with have mercy and I just pray I get my foot in the door somewhere.

[AbbeyR, ADN, BSN]

I'm sorry to hear that. You can report that guy to the BON and if you can show that you went to your DON he could be held accountable for his behavior.

[abirdfrank, ADN, LVN, RN]

This person isn't nursing staff so I've cut my losses and am settling in for the long road ahead

[mississippiRN71]

Places like dialysis clinics and long term care facilities are most likely to hire nurses in recovery. I’m an infection control nurse at a LTC facility. I was already employed there when I was placed on probation from alcohol and opiate use in 2016. My DON was very understanding and knows I’m a different person now.

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

To me, that is the BON equivalent of being arrested with no conviction.

However, that is just wrong they are making that public information. Anybody can turn anybody in for anything...doesn't mean everyone is guilty.