Help looking for work, RN on Probation

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Specializes in ICU, Med/Surg, Med/Tele.

Hello All Nurses Community,

I am a med/tele nurse of over ten years who handled a patient fall poorly while working as a staff nurse. I regret my mistake everyday, but in the environment I was working I felt at that time what I did was all I could. The result is my license is now on probation for 3 years. Before this, I finally got the courage to work as a Travel/Registry nurse and had to resign due to the BRN of CA stipulations. Now I am having no luck trying to find work. I have tried hospitals up and down our fine state. I have tried many SNF, dialysis, volunteering and red cross. Once I mention my probation I am given the "thank you for coming, we will call you speech" I understand that not many people are willing to take a chance on a probation nurse esp in this economy. I am at wits end, I am willing to try anything at this point anywhere in CA, and would appreciate any advice (school, new career options, anything)

Thank you for reading

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

gosh, I have no idea, but you really have my sympathy. When confronted with that information the employer only has your side of things and can only guess the rest. I would try another field of work till the probationary period is up, then take a refresher course before returning to nursing. Good luck.

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Specializes in ICU, Med/Surg, Med/Tele.

Thank you for the advice. Unfortunetly I MUST work 6 months as a nurse as part of my probation. I am worried that I will lose my license after this period.

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

Keep apply everywhere you can. When you go in be upfront, and try to paint he situation as a learning moment, and put a positive spin on it. You are selling yourself, the fact that this thing happened, you are a better person for it, and have moved on, and will be a valuable asset to this employer and its patients. Head up high, shoulders back, smile, be humble yet confident, and show them what they could have. It may take longer due to the economy, but if you just keep going eventually someone will give you a chance.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

I knew someone that had stipulations placed on her license. She was able to get a job at a nursing home as an educator for CNAs. Her employer was fully aware of the stipulations before hiring her. They loved her and she really loved the work. I'm sure the pay wasn't the best but it was RN work.

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Specializes in ICU, Med/Surg, Med/Tele.

Thank you guys for the great advice, I will keep trying. I have no problem working anywhere, I just want to go back to doing what I love.

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I am sorry to hear this has happened to you. It is scary because as busy as it gets being a nurse it could happen to anyone :(. I wish the people who are hiring you would at least take the time to hear your story. Do you have to put the probation on your applications. If so, I wonder if it would be reasonable to submit a letter of explanation along with your application. In that letter I would explain your mistake, what you should have done, why you did what you and and why you thought it was the best decision at the time and what you have learned from your mistake. You at least deserve a chance to explain yourself before they decide yes or no. Afterall, we do learn from our mistakes and we can't be perfect all of the time. We are human :) Also, if part of your probation is you must work as a nurse for 6 months, what about if you cannot find a job. To be sure they would not revoke your license because you can't find a job when you are doing all you can do? I would get intouch with the BON and look into that. I wish you the best of luck. Keep your head up and keep fighting :)

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Hi 80/20

I too am on probation. I just met with my monitor on Thursday. I made 3 charting omissions. Specifically, I passed 3 narcotics (they didn't look for any other types of meds) at the hospital I worked at to 3 different patients (over a period of 6 months). On our floor, you documented in the MARS, the nursing notes, and the pain management note. On all 3 occasions, I missed charting in one of the three places. In other words, the medication administered was charted in two of the three.

The first interview with investigation took place 11 months later. Naively, I went by myself (without legal representation) ready to explain to the officer the error. Surely he would understand! LOL I pointed the above out to him but he just kept looking at me, for 3 hours, telling me I diverted medications!

10 months later I received the Accusation from the nursing board. I sent my response, asked for a hearing, and hired an attorney.

5 months and $7,000.00 later, my attorney, who SEEMED awesome (I would give his name but he threatened to sue me for libel) showed up for my hearing and requested a 3 month continuance.

During this waiting time, my attorney informed me he would need another $3,000.00 to appear. I also received a letter from the state's Assistant Attorney General informing me that my "fine" would be increased by $8,000.00 if we attended that hearing!

To top things off, I hurt my back while waiting through all of this, had a 3-level lumbar fusion and stabilization with instrumentation, and now I was on a narcotic, muscle relaxer, anti-inflammatory and off work. So . . . needless to say, I was out of money and taking one of the narcotics they accused me of diverting!

Still believing that this could not get this bad, I agreed to sign the BRN's stipulation and decision. There was a rule-out substance abuse exam that was to be done, and seeing as I only drink adult beverages on occasion (one maybe every month or two with dinner), I am not a "recreational drug" user, and I am fully compliant with my prescribed medications, I was sure I would pass.

Well, long story short, I received a $7,000.00 fine and 3 years license probation. I probably won't be able to return to my job (I was a visiting infusion therapy nurse which was a great job for a nurse with a bad back and I'll probably never be able to work the floor again) because I require "maximum supervision". I have to have my medications monitored by a physician other than my own, I have to see a psychotherapist, I have to be in a out-patient drug rehab program for 6 months (BTW I'm still on the back medications), I am subject to random drug testing 7 days a week, I have to attend Narcotics Anonymous 2 times a week, and a Nursing Support Group 1 time a week. And, while I am recovering from this major surgery and trying to do this probation program, I have to find a job that meets the boards approval working 24 hours a week for 6 months.

I am looking forward to the Nursing Support Group as I will probably really need this. I think I am actually looking forward to the psychotherapist as I think I'm going to need it to survive this!

All I can say, from my experiences, is make sure you have good and plan for an attorney in advance. I can not believe this has happened to me but it did, and does in California ALL THE TIME!!!!! You can read the disciplinary actions on the California Board of Registered Nurses website. Good luck to all.

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I almost forgot! DON'T MAKE A CHARTING ERROR! :redpinkhe

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I am in a similar situation and just posted a question in which I believe you just answered for me....I'm screwed.

I just had a long conversation with the BRN the other day and expressed how unfair I felt this whole process is as they do not communicate with you what the process is, what to expect and what your options are. I even told them I would just assume go through the diversion program voluntarily then get to this stage where my license is permanently marred, however, I would not admit to doing something I did not do. I provided them with multiple negative drug tests, including a hair drug test that was totally negative for a 3 month period (which included the time period when my initial allegation was made).

I wish any of us in this situation good luck. We're going to need it. Maybe what we should do with our spare time is begin an advocacy for nurses in this situation so they don't go into this naively and wind up as we have.

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Hi CA ER RN,

My heart goes out to you. I am in a good Nursing Support Group and the nurses and facilitator network to help one another find jobs. I don't know where you are located by that is key to finding work. Sometimes other nurses who have graduated probation have supervisory positions, believe it or not, and take us in. The best place to find work is nursing homes, educator positions, and call centers/insurance companies. I'm not looking yet as I am still out on workers comp, but when it is time to return, I hope my new acquaintances will be helpful. I'll write more later . . . it's dinner time, but if anyone wants to email me, my email is [email protected]. TTYL

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Specializes in Emergency, critical care.
Thank you guys for the great advice, I will keep trying. I have no problem working anywhere, I just want to go back to doing what I love.

Though you may be filling out applications to work as an RN up and down the state of California, I think you should also fill out an application for employment @ the Board of Nursing.....

.........you said you have no problem working anywhere, and maybe there is a way that they can help you fulfill their own stipulation.....you never know........it is California....;)

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