License inactive due to relapse while in IPN

[Michelle Turner RN]

Hello all :) I just signed up on here. :) Here's my story, along with a question at the end....I have been an alcoholic for the past 5 yrs. I was reported to IPN by an employer 3 yrs ago. I was immediately put in an IPN group along with a 5-year contract. I was in the group for about a year, then relapsed twice in the past 6 months. My IPN case was closed and sent to the Department of Health & Florida Board of Nursing. This happened about 2 weeks ago and I've been told I'll be sent a letter saying I can go before the board to re-instate my license and get back into IPN so I can work as a nurse. I've tried getting a regular job, been unemployed for 6 months, but either I'm over-qualified to do a mundain job, or because of the economy it's too hard to get hired (even McDonalds!) I went to nursing school to help people, and I love nursing, so I want to be able to practice again. I'm sober and go to two AA meetings a day, which has been a blessing to work on my sobriety. Question is, has anyone gone through this? If so, what did the board do to you? All I can do is fight for my license and my profession. :) I look forward to hearing from anyone out there :)

Michelle, Orlando FL

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Hi Michelle and welcome. This forum, Nurses and Recovery is moderated, which means that your posts are viewed by a staff member before they show up on the board.

We can't tell you or even advise you as to what the BON will do. We do know though that each case is handled individually.

[jackstem]

Welcome Michelle. Once you get the letter, you might want to consider hiring an attorney to be sure your rights are protected and you don't put your foot in it", so to speak. Yes, attorneys cost money (and aren't cheap), but I've seen many a nurse end up with more problems that when they started because they don't have training in the law and might not comprehend some parts of the nurse practice act. Making the wrong decision or providing information that isn't asked for can sometimes lead to additional sanctions or increased monitoring times or additional hoops. One thing I've grown to respect is that nurses know their nursing, attorneys know the law. Part of the law is being able to use language to the benefit of their client. Remember when Bill Clinton made this comment in his deposition re: "that woman" -

Clinton: "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is', is in the context of this situation."

I thought to myself, you've got to be kidding! But then I had several attorney acquaintances explain that comment and it made sense (which was a little scary!).

So, I'm not saying to lie or withhold information or try to be deceptive. What I'm saying is, your case is "different" now than the first time you faced IPN. It's hard to be cool, calm, and collected when you're trying to defend yourself in an area where you have no experience or training. Mistakes, even innocent mistakes, can have significant, long term consequences. When you look at the cost of the attorney vs the money made over the length of a career...it's insignificant.

One additional suggestion, consider obtaining your own professional Liability Insurance with a licensure defense clause. That way, any new issues that might arise requiring an attorney would be covered by your insurance. Relying on an employer's coverage can actually leave you uncovered in a variety of circumstances.

The American Association of Nurse Attorneys has a referral phone line or send an email to get names of nurse attorneys in your area.

Good luck and welcome to the community! Let us know how things go!

Jack

[ehooper80]

Hi Michelle!... and welcome. I'm sorry to hear about all the problems you are having struggling with your alcohol addiction, but now is time and present. Have you returned to your groups and meetings? Have you gone to see a therapist/counselor? If so, make sure you have documentation backing all that up. If not, maybe now would be a good time to go back.

And I'm with Jack on this one, you really should get a good nursing attorney to represent you in front of the board. Particularly because you've had more than one relapse. I know from personal experience when you're not working as a nurse, you have NO money and lawyers are not cheap. I'd suggest begging and borrowing from anyone and everyone, because attorneys can make a world of difference on the outcome of your license.

I wish you the best!