Kentucky Board KARE

I was 4 months in to the 12-month reinstatement process. I've been doing this since Oct 2021 and will finish in May 2026. Took me 19 months to get my license reinstated and find a job, then I started a 3-year probation in May 2023. 

Mscoolmug said:

I was first hired on in Home Health and got promoted to Regional Educator after about 6 months. I only stayed about a year total because the working environment was terrible. I work for a "second chance agency" now. We're a non profit focused on housing. I'm the Street Outreach Nurse. I don't know how one finds an agency that is labeled "second chance agency" but it's a vibe if you can find one. They hire people with colorful pasts if they can help it. I love it here. They hired me toward the end of my monitoring. I wasn't offered KARE, and only had a year of monitoring so it'll show up forever. I hope I can just work here until I die because the job search is so awful for us. Just keep applying. Someone will give you a chance, I promise! 

How did you get hired on in home health? That seems like it wouldn't be allowed simply because of the "have to have another nurse on site" rule. 
 

I'm out here still looking for a job. So many interviews but zero luck so far 😞

I'm also wondering how I will complete drug tests on days I have to work. The labcorps around me are only open like 8-5. So if I'm working an 8 or 12 hour day, what am I supposed to do? 

I didn't have to have another nurse on site in my contract. Any employer you have will have to be agreeable to you leaving for a drug screen. I didn't have either employer I had under this give me a hard time. 

Mscoolmug said:

I didn't have to have another nurse on site in my contract. Any employer you have will have to be agreeable to you leaving for a drug screen. I didn't have either employer I had under this give me a hard time. 

Or just test before or after work. 

Healer555 said:

Or just test before or after work. 

Well like I said, if labcorp is only open 8-5 and I have to work the same hours, or even a 12 hour shift, then I wouldn't be able to go before/after work. 
 

Also, are we allowed to work in another state? I live in Louisville and was thinking of applying in southern Indiana but wasn't sure how that would work. 

DuckyGirl06 said:

Well like I said, if labcorp is only open 8-5 and I have to work the same hours, or even a 12 hour shift, then I wouldn't be able to go before/after work. 
 

Also, are we allowed to work in another state? I live in Louisville and was thinking of applying in southern Indiana but wasn't sure how that would work. 

There are labs with longer hours in my area. You would have to get your monitoring agreement switched to another state and then that state would report to the original state. My state is 3 years so im staying put until im done.  

DuckyGirl06 said:

 

 

I'm also wondering how I will complete drug tests on days I have to work. The labcorps around me are only open like 8-5. So if I'm working an 8 or 12 hour day, what am I supposed to do? 

Concerta on Fern Valley road is open 24/7. You'll have to use them if you end up getting called on a work day. Beware though, not only are they typically more busy than Labcorp but are much more expensive. A $55 test from Labcorp will cost $90 at Concerta. 

DuckyGirl06 said:

How did you get hired on in home health? That seems like it wouldn't be allowed simply because of the "have to have another nurse on site" rule. 
 

I'm out here still looking for a job. So many interviews but zero luck so far 😞

 

I'm also wondering how I will complete drug tests on days I have to work. The labcorps around me are only open like 8-5. So if I'm working an 8 or 12 hour day, what am I supposed to do? 

Part of my contract is I cannot do any job that is home health, travel, contract. I have to have a home base. I'm a nurse practitioner though, but currently practicing as a nurse. Don't get discouraged about a job! I'm 2 years sober. The first year was doing everything for reinstatement. I was reinstated in October 2024 and just now work as a nurse in June 2025. IDK if you are spiritual. But I prayed, a lot, I got vulnerable and specific in my prayers. I interviewed a lot, I also was very honest, I also got the job I knew through someone who went to bat for me. I work at a children's psych hospital and I LOVEEEEEE IT!!  Hoping to be a provider again one day but right now it just feels good to be a nurse. I'm not in a hurry. And for me. I work 12 hour shifts 7a-7p. The lab by me is open 7a-330p. The closest one that is open until 8 is 50 minutes away. I told my employer my situation, they did not care to accommodate me. On mornings I test, I text my DON and supervisor and tell them I'm pulled to test. I'm at the lab as soon as they open and then straight to work. Typically only about 30 minutes late. And so far I've only been pulled on one work day! Lucky me!!

Hello. I am wondering if anyone in KARE or an alternative to discipline program has checked to see if they can still access their KARE agreement online when they try to verify their license? Mine was always on there along with my disciplinary documents but now I am only seeing disciplinary documents and an old agreed ordered (I entered KARE through an agreed order).  But KARE agreement or the fact that I am enrolled in KARE is no where to be found now. 

Hmhgjh said:

Hello. I am wondering if anyone in KARE or an alternative to discipline program has checked to see if they can still access their KARE agreement online when they try to verify their license? Mine was always on there along with my disciplinary documents but now I am only seeing disciplinary documents and an old agreed ordered (I entered KARE through an agreed order).  But KARE agreement or the fact that I am enrolled in KARE is no where to be found now. 

No, KARE is confidential. No one can access your KARE order online. When searching that person it just says "enrolled in KARE, contact (fill in your nurse investigator contact info) for more information" and even then only your employer should be able to access it. Not anyone random 

Finally got offered a job! It not a "nursing" position but still in healthcare. I have reviewed my KARE contract a few times and don't see that we necessarily must be in a nursing position during our 5 years. Is this correct? Do I have to work as a nurse? 
(I know I could reach out to my case manager with the KBN but tbh, I despise talking to them and don't want to even have them think about me if I can help it) 

DuckyGirl06 said:

Finally got offered a job! It not a "nursing" position but still in healthcare. I have reviewed my KARE contract a few times and don't see that we necessarily must be in a nursing position during our 5 years. Is this correct? Do I have to work as a nurse? 
(I know I could reach out to my case manager with the KBN but tbh, I despise talking to them and don't want to even have them think about me if I can help it) 

Don't know the answer but I feel the same about contacting them