In Recovery/IPN, but still no license

deltakappamu · Sep 29, 2016

Hi everyone. I've been reading topics on this website for a long time and decided to join. I graduated nursing school in 2013, failed the nclex-rn in my home state, then decided to follow my family to Florida. I applied to take the boards in Florida after some much needed alcohol rehab and couldn't lie on my application where it asked if you've been Baker Acted and/or treated for substance abuse in the last 5 years. I marked yes, and went through the whole IPN process.
To make a long story short, here it is a year and a half later, reapplied to take the test because my first application expired, and still waiting for my ATT. It's so hard to get any answers or even a response from the BON. I'm compliant in IPN, in my recovery, and 2 years sober. What a blessing it has been to get the help I needed, but wow is my patience being tested. Does anyone have a similar story about yourself or someone you know? Thanks for listening!

Your story is absolutely the same as mine, except I never took NCLEX in my home state. I graduated school and applied for licensure/take nclex and they wanted me to do a buncha evals etc and in the process of that, I moved to FL. I also graduated 2013. I just took FL boards in July! I had to go in front of FL board last december and thats when they approved me to sit for boards, however I had to go to IPN too. I too have a history of substance abuse and an arrest PRIOR to nursing school, back when I was still an MA. I actually had my first ATT expire as well, and had to call and get a new one. It is such a pain waiting. You have to stay on them! I called almost daily and finally got a new ATT. It has been a whirlwind. Finally Im licensed and approved to work.

I would be happy to chat with you about this. Our situation is SO similar!

RiNlimbo · Oct 1, 2016

Thanks for your reply delta. Congratulations on passing your boards! What a relief you must feel! Luckily, I received a letter yesterday that says I've been approved to take my boards. I don't know why it took so long, but at least it's happening. Unfortunately, the IPN isn't designed to treat people on an individual basis. We all have to go to the same evaluations and pay all this money. Also I haven't had a very good experience with my caseworker. But, I've learned acceptance and know I won't have to deal with it forever. And at least I have my sobriety. I do understand the BON needs to protect people from nurses who do not want to recover. But, wow! The cost. I'm so far behind on bills, but at least I can get a well paying job now and do what I love, helping people.

I hope this experience will make me a better nurse and I wish the best for you!

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Oct 2, 2016

Thanks for your reply delta. Congratulations on passing your boards! What a relief you must feel! Luckily, I received a letter yesterday that says I've been approved to take my boards. I don't know why it took so long, but at least it's happening. Unfortunately, the IPN isn't designed to treat people on an individual basis. We all have to go to the same evaluations and pay all this money. Also I haven't had a very good experience with my caseworker. But, I've learned acceptance and know I won't have to deal with it forever. And at least I have my sobriety. I do understand the BON needs to protect people from nurses who do not want to recover. But, wow! The cost. I'm so far behind on bills, but at least I can get a well paying job now and do what I love, helping people.
I hope this experience will make me a better nurse and I wish the best for you!

A lot of us folks will agree that the "getting there" part of sobriety regardless of the drug of choice, isn't easy, but that the experience has been useful to them. At the same time, the way the monitoring programs operate in this country (depends on the state) leaves something to be desired in terms of individualizing, costs/affordability, candidate selection, and implementation.

Good luck on your boards and keep us posted!