License Reinstatement After Revoke Is There Hope?

Nurses Recovery

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Hello, my name is Robi and I am new to this site and I'm not even sure if I deserve to be here, but I have a question that I hope someone can help me with. I was a licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Tennessee until 2004 when my license was revoked to due a prescription drug addiction. Due to the shame I felt and still feel to this day, I never tried fighting for my license at the time, but long to be able to practise again and have been sober for 5 years and working in an office outside of the medical field. I just don't know where to begin. I have researched the tennesse state board of health for answers, but it seems so complicated, I just don't know what step to take first and after all this time, I don't even know if I have a chance at getting my license reinstated. I guess what I'm trying to ask is there even a chance for me? I am willing to do whatever it takes no matter how expensive, time consuming, or shameful it may make me feel in order to get my license back, but I just wonder if I would even be considered and if so, would I be required to go back to school to refresh my skills and would it help for me to try to become certified as a nurse assistant in the meantime in order to at least have myself back in the field and even if that would be allowed. I'm sorry to make this so long and would welcome any advice or suggestions on this matter.

Thank you so much,

Robi

Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I have no advice, but CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!! I'm doing the happy dance inside for you at this moment. It looks kind of like this......................

:monkeydance::clpty::dncgbby::dancgrp::anpom::hpygrp::ancong!:

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First, CONGRATULATIONS!

Second, thank you for taking the time to let us all know how things turned out. I could not be happier for you. Your lay off may be good timing in disguise.

Unless the board stipulated that you had to accomplish this prior to employment it will not hurt you to approach prospective employers with a request for training All they can do is say no. If they say yes you will save some time and money. If not you have already weathered a heavier storm and will survive until you are back in the fold. Make plans for the worst and start that process. Then anything that happens will not be a surprise or burden. I only say this due to the economic times. Maybe you will need to move back home for a while or in with friends. Check out the training programs and do what ever you have to do to get that accomplished. Remember, you are now on even footing with any new grad except that your life experience has made you tougher, more aware of your strengths and increased your recognition that bad things can happen to good people. This translates into mature knowledge and dedication for you and empathy for your pts. Those are your selling points so go out and sell yourself!

Take care.

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:yeah::bow::yeah::bow::yeah::bow:

CONGRATULATIONS ON GETTING YOUR LICENSE BACK.

One advantage to an "on the ground" refresher might be the ability to do a little networking. Nursing is a relatively small world, and you may meet someone who could make a difference in getting you in the door at a new job.

But, before you worry about that, take the time to treat yourself to something you enjoy. You've climbed a real mountain that many wouldn't have the courage to attempt.

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First and foremost CONGRATULATIONS:monkeydance::w00t::clpty::dncgbby::dancgrp:

Secondly we all knew you could do it, so it was our pleasure. I am in GA and I just got on with a hospital that has great benefits and even they have cut tution reimbursement to save money but you could always go back to school. You could take a refresher course and let workforce (unemployment ) pay for it. Several states are doing this right now to get people back to work, so start off by checking there.

Congrat

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Specializes in LTC.

CONGRATULATIONS! This is the first time I've read this thread and for the entirety of it hoped there would be some good news at the end. :) Way to go on jumping some gigantic hurdles! Have a long and wonderful career!!

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, corrections, +.

Congrats!! Thanks for letting us know. Now you know you can do anything. Good luck.

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Such a pleasure to read of your success! Congratulations!

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These are some great solutions/ideas. It is so nice to see people working to help each other or spread knowledge. I hope more folks present their ideas on how to proceed. You never know when the seeds you sow are the seeds you may need in the future. Sprinkle and nurture. Unemployement benefits may not be everything but they may just help you through the next step by providing the flexibility of schedule for your next step.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, MED SURG.

First of all, let me say thank you to all of you, but especially RobiGayle. I too live in Tennessee and lost my license a few years ago due to my addiction to prescription meds. It has been a long hard road for me too, but I have been clean for about five years as well. I was so ashamed that I had let myself get to such a place, I slipped into my depression AFTER I lost my license. Well, it took two years to recover from that; then I had to go through trying to rebuild my life. How does a nurse do that?? Nursing is what we were born to do! I have reinvented myself twice, and I have done pretty well. I have been thinking about how to go about fixing this, but my fear of the process was just too great. I miss feeling like I am making a difference when I come home every day. All I can say is that I really feel incomplete because nursing was my life. Thank you RobiGayle so much for putting your experience into words for me. I read your experience and cried my eyes out. I know now that there is hope for me to get my life back after I messed it up so badly. I have been wanting to call the BON for about six months now, but I have not had the strength...not until today. I know that this process may not be easy, but it's necessary to be healed, right? I have read all of the comments here, and I know that this is why we do what we do. You guys are great, and I hope that one day I can earn the right to be considered one of you again. Any words of help at this point would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Vent dependent peds, HH, Facility manage.

Thanks robbigale! I needed all the answers you got from your posts. I am still afraid to work. my licence was revoked for a drug arrest by way of letter from FL board of nursing in 2005. Now in 2009 I try'd to get reinstated. Every time I call the board, nomatter who i speak with, they insist that my rn license is active, valid and no indication that my license was revoked. The board sent e-mail showing my active license today 9-1-2009. I'm afraid if I begin working, this will somehow bite my but. Should I send the arrest records and stir everything up? What a mess:cry:

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hi everyone

i acquired a Tx lic then i got a Ca lic via reciprocity. unluckily my Ca was revoked, can i still practice nursing in Tx.. help me

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Specializes in ER, ICU, MED SURG.

I'm sorry to hear about your dilemma. My experience has been this: that you cannot run from whatever the problem is. You may get away with working in TX for a while, but when they catch up with you, it's going to be worse. Please, if the problem is fixable, handle that. Your honesty alone will help you. I hope you find success and get everything straightened out. I tried to do what you are suggesting, and found that I just got in trouble wherever I went because I did not deal with my underlying issue. I hope this helps and I will be looking out for your comments. I am fully reinstated and working now, all because of the advice and encouragement found in this thread! Good Luck.

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