I am a nurse in Pennsylvania and 4 1/2 years ago I stole wasted pain medication at my place of employment. I was involved with PNAP and was caught drinking while on the program. In order to continue PNAP, I needed to start my 3 years all over and complete IOP (intensive outpatient) again, which I was unable to do due to my current job and children. I continued regular outpatient therapy and successfully completed outpatient drug and alcohol counseling and "graduated". I have now been sober for going on 3 years.
My license is currently expired and on probation. Being that it has been so long, how can I go about petitioning the board to reinstate my license without jumping through PNAP hoops? I completed my 3 years of suspension, remained sober after my drinking screw up. Do I just submit all my drug and alcohol counseling records showing I successfully completed their program?
Not trying to be rude, but you won't be able to get around PNAP. Just bite the bullet and stay sober for 3 more years, which sounds like it hopefully won't be an issue.
They are sticklers for doing the state program unfortunately. One nurse was sober for 2 years but had to go to a residential program for 6 weeks followed by 2 years of monitoring. It's really stupid and unfair. But this nurse had to do 2 not 3 years. One less year is a big deal in my opinion..
Im my state before you can even apply to have your license back you have to have 1 year of neg drug screens, another substance abuse eval and completion of whatever treatment the evaluator recommends within 1 year of reapplying, a letter stating why you want your license back, and pay whatever fines. Once they agree to reinstate your license you will most likely be put on probation for 2-3 years, be in monitoring/complete drug screens for that whole time, have to do NA meetings, and have restrictions on your license like no narc administration for the first year, no more than 88 hours in 2 weeks, etc. Where you went against your original monitoring contract it's not looking good for you. So sorry.
Im my state before you can even apply to have your license back you have to have 1 year of neg drug screens, another substance abuse eval and completion of whatever treatment the evaluator recommends within 1 year of reapplying, a letter stating why you want your license back, and pay whatever fines. Once they agree to reinstate your license you will most likely be put on probation for 2-3 years, be in monitoring/complete drug screens for that whole time, have to do NA meetings, and have restrictions on your license like no narc administration for the first year, no more than 88 hours in 2 weeks, etc. Where you went against your original monitoring contract it's not looking good for you. So sorry.
Did u have to notify the board and then they told you to set up drug testing or did they set that up for you? I am just trying to understand if you need to notify them that you are planning on requesting your license back before you start all that or how does that work exactly?
Here's what will happen. You will get your license back and for the poster who told you that you wouldn't get it back because you were in PNAP before and got caught drinking.....that poster is wrong. First apply to get your license reinstated with supporting evidence of your sobriety and they will reinstate it.......but here's the catch....
1. If they wanted you to go to IOP previously when your were in the PNAP and was caught drinking and you didn't go, it's almost a guarantee that you WILL be required to go as a stipulation for them to reinstate your license.
2. They will require you to do 5 years in the PNAP with the usual stuff...no narcs for 6 months to 1 year supervised for the 1st year, meetings, employer reports, drug tests, etc.
3. State Boards want to see that you have been MONITORED. If you have a list of 3 years worth of AA meetings and/or substance abuse counselors writing letters on your behalf, all of that is good and all of these things helps you get your license reinstated, BUT they won't obsolve you from starting a 5 year monitoring agreement and will not credit you for 3 years, because they want to see actual Daily Check Ins/Monitoring.
4. You are also going to be required to do some retraining since you haven't worked as a nurse. They don't care if you have been a Medical Assistant and in the medical field. You have not worked as an RN so they will require retraining.
Did u have to notify the board and then they told you to set up drug testing or did they set that up for you? I am just trying to understand if you need to notify them that you are planning on requesting your license back before you start all that or how does that work exactly?
You can enroll in the PNAP now and get the clock rolling. Meaning.....they are going to require 5 years of monitoring so best to start now. Trust me, you are NOT getting out of the PNAP program if your license is reinstated so enter that now because it starts the 5 year clock for you. Next, pick up the phone the very second after you entered into PNAP and call the nurse board for instructions on how you apply for reinstatement. This info will also be on their website and it will require something you complete in writing and getting notarized. What helps you get reinstated/approved by the BON? The fact that you are already enrolled into PNAP shows your desire for recovery and they love that and any supporting documentation you have for you recent 3 years of sobriety.
Biggest mistake many nurses make when applying for reinstatement? Being TOLD what to do. For example, you are going to be TOLD that you have to enter PNAP. The BON will require it. If you have already entered PNAP prior to applying for reinstatement, it's nearly a 100 percent guarantee that your license will be reinstated. Enter PNAP first, then contact BON. It also is too your advantage because the quicker you enter PNAP, the quicker the 5 years are done and over with.
DO YOU FIND A JOB YET? I AM ON PROBATION NOW AND STILL LOOKING FOR A RN JOBS IN CA. CAN ANYBODY HELP ME OR TELL ME WHERE I SHOULD APPLP , PLEASE?
Most nursing homes would be willing to take you , because they just do not have any applicant. Some med surg units would also be willing to take you in. Try to work with staffing agencies.
Most nursing homes will not take you because if you are an RN, the BON will ensure you can't supervise as part of the stipulations. If you are an LPN, you will be unable to pass meds as the BON will have that as a stipulation. Also, most BONS put in stipulations thst you can't work in long term care facility.
As you admit you did not follow through with the requirements your initial contract stipulated there's zero percent chance you get your license reinstated without at the least going through all the hoops they require.
Matthew Bates
3 Posts
Not trying to be rude, but you won't be able to get around PNAP. Just bite the bullet and stay sober for 3 more years, which sounds like it hopefully won't be an issue.