How to find addiction psychiatrist for board eval???

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Hi, I'm on suspension pending a psychiatrist evaluation with an addiction specialist/psychiatrist. However, I am having a HUGE issue finding someone to do it. I have called everyone within an hour radius of me (and I live by two big metro areas, in the Cleveland OH area). I can't seem to find someone to do this for me. I am certain other nurses in my area have had to go through this process while trying to get their license reinstated, so I am hoping someone here has information for me. I spent over an hour and a half calling different places earlier, and my board monitor's name suggestions all didn't pan out (None of them do the evals anymore). I would be willing to travel up to 2 hours for this, I'd really not like to drive to Columbus if I can avoid it but I would be possibly willing if I can't find anyone more local. TIA everyone!

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Here in Florida they gave me three options. They selected the providers and I could choose. One was really close, but had no availability. One was two hours away, one was four hours away. I took the two hour one because they could get me in quickly.

I've never heard of a program that just says 'go forth and prosper,' usually it's guided somewhat. That being said, I would not limit myself to the 'two hours' away. The governing boards don't care that we are inconvenienced, or afraid to drive in the bigger metropolitan areas. I was too. There were times on this journey that I had to go down the day before and rent a hotel, get the lay of the land the night before so I wouldn't be late. Expect to spend time, miles and money. And expect no sympathy from them.

Hopefully some of our Ohio peeps will see this and can send you some names via private message. If they are far away, but will get you in, go. I hope you find some places in your comfort zone though, just know the powers that be don't factor that in.

Best of luck, you can do this!

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My board monitor gave me a few names but none of them do the evals anymore/did them ever. He said it was my responsibility to find a provider and that the board does not keep a list of all current providers that do the test. Thank you very much for your reply ?

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7 minutes ago, ksuSN12 said:

My board monitor gave me a few names but none of them do the evals anymore/did them ever. He said it was my responsibility to find a provider and that the board does not keep a list of all current providers that do the test. Thank you very much for your reply ?

When/If you do find a provider, be sure to call the board and see if they are in fact an approved psych/addiction specialist by the board. I threw money out the window when one who was local told me he was approved, but he really wasn't. I took his eval with me to the BON meeting and it was worthless.

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Yeah, my monitor told me to do that. He said I have to get the person approved by the board. That's awful, I'm so sorry that happened to you! Ugh!!!

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The longer you do this the more you realize that the only recourse you have is to successfully complete and get out. As long as you are on their radar, you are subject to their whims.

I will add that it's still worth it. Chin up

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Yeah, I definitely see that, lol. What sucks is I was on restrictions already for mental health/suicide prior to this last incident where I was found unconscious/they suspect I may have been doing drugs or something (I was taking a prescription for anxiety, but haven't since my accident). I was unable to be a nurse for almost 2 years now, because I suffered memory loss/brain damage. I just want my life back. This is so hard. So, I had completed about 6 months of my original consent agreement before this happened to me, and I didn't have med restrictions and wasn't required to be tested for drugs. Obviously, now it will be different. I think the new consent agreement would be 3 years, but I'd have to look at the papers again. First, I need an evaluation though. Arghhh.

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I will be looking forward to your posts and progress.

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Replying just to say that I did find someone in my area to do it! It took many calls, but I got through to someone. I will post an update again when I have my eval at the end of this month!

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Specializes in Addiction Medicine, ER, and Psychiatry.

Wow! I thought I was the only one who had to go through this BS request. I literally searched the MA Board of Licensed MDs and then cross-referenced it by addiction psychiatrists. Then I started cold-calling them and emailing them until I found someone who would take my case. I have Bipolar I Disorder and had an inpatient hospitalization which lead to the suspension of my privileges pending a full mental health evaluation by an addiction psychiatrist (because the psychiatrist I have been working with for the last 4 years was not good enough). This was seriously no easy task. When I called the Board for some assistance, the answer I got was, "Good luck with that." I have been out of practice for a year. I just want to get through this program (MA-SARP) and get on with my life.

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Unfortunately, the board is giving me a hard time because the psychiatrist I was able to find to do the evaluation is not listed as an addiction psychiatrist! I can't believe this bologna. It was hard enough for me to find THIS one, and now they probably will not approve him!

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Unfortunately, the board is giving me a hard time because the psychiatrist I was able to find to do the evaluation is not listed as an addiction psychiatrist! I can't believe this bologna. It was hard enough for me to find THIS one, and now they probably will not approve him!

edit: yeah, my monitor just said this psychiatrist can't be approved because he does not have an addiction psych certificate. What a load of crap. I can't find anyone at all near Cleveland or Columbus that would do it, let alone also accept caresource.. This is so dumb. A psychiatrist should be good enough but noooo. It has to be one with a certificate in treating addiction..

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