Going back to school while in monitoring

dagobah, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 24, 2019

Did my RN-to-BSN during monitoring. Program didn’t require clinicals which was a plus, but it did require an unencumbered license. Worked out in my case. My clinicals was in a simulation lab...no patient care. A lot depends on school, type of monitoring program, etc, especially when looking to go into an APRN graduate program. Best to you.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · May 24, 2019

I did 2 semesters worth of my RN-BSN while trapped in that “$35k or your license” horror show of a joke of an unnecessary rehab. Tells you how much sitting around that $35K got a person.

Early on, I investigated a grad program (that like most stated “unemcumbered license”) and found that it generally means no obligations. That particular program was a ‘brick and mortar’ small private school and I still had many ‘fat chance you’ll ever get a job’ restrictions. I was rejected but told to come back later when the contract was closer to done. I’m now wayyyyy closer to done, but have moved on from that town...in order to find work ( imagine that!) Currently mine still reads obligations/active. On the surface that would be an instant reject, but if you were able to speak with your chosen program, it’s possible. With many, I think the concern is the potential liability in the clinical site where you are a representative of the school. It’s conceivable that it would work if your monitoring would be over by the time you hit the clinical courses.

As dagobah says, very dependent upon school, your particular monitoring program, and so forth. It certainly can’t hurt to try. These monitoring programs should not stunt our career goals but too often the over reaching authority they take does just that. That only serves to make things worse than they are. Unfortunately, as we know, none of this is about recovery anymore, sadly.

SHlpn50, LPN · May 25, 2019

your absolutely correct.

catsmeow1972, BSN, RN · May 27, 2019

So this thread got me seriously contemplating the grad school thing again. The place I have landed (and plan on staying because moving sucks) has a local university with a very nice MSN program that happens to be online but also since I'm local will make finding clinical sites easy peasy.

Well, I'm close enough to done that the program will be a complete nonissue/irrelevant past, done, over and gone before i would start. I landed a great job, in spite of the contract and with that, I'm starting to crawl my way out financially. All good things, right? I go to do the application. I have all my OFFICIAL transcripts, etc from the last time I had this thought...so far so good....and i reach the part where these programs stunt our careers in yet another way. How? I have to provide 3 professional letters of reference. Hell, I don't know anyone anymore. When you can't get a job or can only get crappy jobs, you also can't exactly build the connections to get these kind of letters. i don't think a letter from my mother will suffice. So that will be another year i will have to wait until i have been at my job long enough to where its appropriate to ask. Will the specter of IPN ever go away, even when it goes away? This sux.

Rdsrn · May 27, 2019

I feel you, I haven't even seen the board yet but im guessing that when I do my license will be put on probation in addition to monitoring. I want to get a job at a hospital near me that is monitoring friendly and I know they will want me to sign a contract saying I will complete my BSN within 5 years of hire. Im scared to do that not knowing if I can get into a program. I did things that I deserve to be punished for but I just think at some point it becomes too much.

Regina-Phalange · Jun 25, 2019

I waited until I was finished with the program and had a few years of "clean" work under my belt before I started school. I don't know what program with a clinical component would accept someone in monitoring. Too much liability. And all programs usually require an unencumbered RN license. I also had no charges and nothing against my license so once I was out of monitoring I looked like anyone else which made things a lot easier.

I am interviewing for NP jobs at the moment though and I am worried about credentialing. That seems like a pretty thorough process and I'm thinking they'll contact the employer that fired me. That'll probably throw a wrench into things.

Goodlife29 · Jun 27, 2019

I think every state is different. With everything probation requires I won’t even attempt going back to school until this is all over and my license is free and clear. Life is tough enough and I want to keep it simple. I commend you for wanting to do more!

Indiana · Aug 13, 2019

On 5/27/2019 at 9:39 AM, Rdsrn said:
I feel you, I haven't even seen the board yet but im guessing that when I do my license will be put on probation in addition to monitoring. I want to get a job at a hospital near me that is monitoring friendly and I know they will want me to sign a contract saying I will complete my BSN within 5 years of hire. Im scared to do that not knowing if I can get into a program. I did things that I deserve to be punished for but I just think at some point it becomes too much.

What came of this? Probation, or just monitoring?

Rdsrn · Aug 13, 2019

@Indiana I just renewed my license and when I did I self reported my criminal charges as well as my involvement in IPRP. (it was within the 90 day window they give you to report and conviction) When I look up my license the new expiration date shows October 2021. I haven't heard anything from the BON so as far as I know I just have to finish monitoring. I can probably find a school to go to if my license stays active and off probation.

Indiana · Aug 13, 2019

Good to know. That’s helpful. I was wondering how this was going to go when I renew my license.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2019

I think @SpankedInPittsburgh did masters level work but I may be mis-remembering.