Getting license back off probation.

[Marcia McCoy]

I had my RN license taken off me for 2 yrs for being accussed of diversion of meds. I tested negative for any meds and even had a hair analysis done which came back clean. I completed my 2 yrs and also had 3 yrs probation which I have completed. My probation didnt require me not to be able to pass meds. There were no restrictions but to report any change in my address and report any place I was employed during probation period. I had a hard time finding employment but did work as a case manager for 6 months until they decided to let me go because they hired 1 person for DON and case management. I was very upset and applied to numerous places and even had interviews but did not get hired due to probation status. The places I had interviewed with said that I would of been hired if my license were not on probation. I finally did get a position as a RN clinical supervisor. When I went to each interview, I made sure they were aware of my probation status. I worked as a RN clinical supervisor for 2 and a half yrs then out of the blue I was called into the administrator's office and was asked about my license being on probation. My 3 yrs of probation was done and I was to write the state board a letter explaining why my license should be off probation. Probation was completed over a yr ago but I never wrote the letter. To be truthfull, I was just thankfull I was working and actually forgot about writing the letter. I take full responsibility for not writing the letter in a timely matter but getting on with my story...The administrator, which had only ben there a few months, was concerned about my license being on probation and asked if he could help in any way to get my license back in good standing. I told him that i just needed a background check and to write a letter but he could write a charactor letter for me to send with all my other required documents. I was sent home pending investigation. The next few days I received text messages from co-workers that they were sorry for me getting blamed for taking narcotics from narcotic drawer that occured 2 wks prior to my conversation with administrator about my license and texts also said they were sorry to hear I was terminated. I was surprised so I called the administrator and updated him on the text messages i was receiving and asked if he knew anything about what was being said. He said no but then said that they were moving ahead with my termination from facility due to my license status, he said that they were not aware of my license being on probation and they couldnt have anyone working there that was on probation. I said that when I was hired that the administration was aware of my license status and said it was not a problem. He said that they were still oving ahead with terminating me. I felt so betrayed and helpless because I was employed there for a long priod of time and never had any problems or write ups. Now I am back to starting over and am very stressed that I will not find another job. I am in the process of writing letter to state board of nursing but I am having problems with what to write. Is there anyone who can give me any ideas of how to write this letter? I am thankfull for sites like this that help those nurses who have ben through similar experiences as me. It has been a hard road and I can see a light at the tunnel but need a little guidance to get there. God has been my strenght through all of this. I have also learned that the friends who tell you they will be by your side are the firt to abandon you. Prayers to all the people that are in the healthcare field that are going through difficult times. We all have to work as a team!

[paidmydues]

Marcia: it is stories like yours that break my heart. Something is very wrong here. What state are you in? In most states when a nurse is on probation they need to have very regular contact with and send paperwork to their probation monitor. Did you have a probation contract with your state's BON? I would say that I have completed all probation requirements and provide documentation. Good Bless you and good luck...Paidmydues

[crazin01]

How were you even placed on probation originally with only an accusation? (with evidence to proof you were not impaired in any way) That fact alone infuriated me, for you. What was the reasons for termination? Especially if you had a stellar work record, that along sounds like a wrongful termination suit, or something.

Sorry, it just sounds like such absolute BS that an accusation alone (which could have been a witch hunt from somebody who was offended because you say "tomAtoe" & not "tomatoe".

The most recent guy acting like your friend & he'll help when & where he can, then changing his story sucks and would also anger me, I just can't quite get over the first part. Is there something else you were on probation for, other than diversion accusation? Just seems EXTREMELY punitive, and I've heard/seen some horror stories from the BON's.

One more thing, with your license being on probation & missing that letter. I would be honest right upfront in the letter you are writing now. You were excited to have no restrictions/no probation and somehow in the excitement, it got lost in the shuffle & busyness of your mind. It's better than exaggerating your child was sick, you were in a car crash, lost a close friend, etc. Even though stressors are brutal at times, I think most boards see 'excuses' as not taking responsibility and that isn't good to them. Other than that, what paid mydues said about meeting all requirements, no legal issues, breaking the law, etc is always a good thing. What about character references from your previous colleagues? Definitely not this administrator jerk, but do you have and written correspondence from him stating he'll do what he can to help you out, before he turned his back? It might not help, but anything painting you positive certainly cannot hurt.

Sorry I can't help more, I'm still sort of confused about license probation on accusation only..