Life After Probation: How's your career been?

NO JOKES OR PUNS ALLOWED, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2022

If your license is unencumbered, there is a travel agency that will take you. I don't know the nature of the offense, but I know travelers who were on probation before they traveled.

xbananachipsx, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2022

I've just started probation. CA RN - seems like the go to is 3 years.

Pretty much previous employer filed a complaint against me and I was put under investigation. Wasn't able to get a letter of reprimand. I've been dealing with a lot of things in the dark and when I see the deadlines in the table they e-mailed me a day after the start of my probation, my thought process goes to, "OK I need to do this STAT because it can take the government forever to process things."

I'll be having my initial encounter with my probation monitor tomorrow - so if anyone has any pointers on how to approach every meeting with them, greatly appreciated. I had my therapist prep me for the phone call which was a good reminder on how to approach the conversation.

In a nursing reddit - there were a few NPs that have dealt with probation and have had fruitful careers after their stint.

We're going to have to explain the ding on our records for every application we apply for (UGH) but I'm hoping that being sincere with discretion will help sell yourself well.

We're both in the situation of dealing with the unknown. Try to not let yourself go deeper in the rabbit hole. My anxiety was off the charts when I had just gotten the e-mail about my probation and the deadline for things. Again, I got at the beginning (3/4), a day after my start date (3/3), and just meeting with my probation monitor tomorrow.

Hoping people who've been done will respond to your post. Sorry I can't provide much relevant information, but know that I empathize with you and am excited to hear how things go for you when you're done and done!

bayarea123 · Sep 5, 2024

Hi - 2 yrs late to this. Any nurses in this post have any updates? I am a RN who had a complaint filed against them for malpractice/non diversion related.

I am catastrophizing a bit but also am wondering if I should give this career up.. I read a lot on forums of nurses struggling to find jobs even after discipline.

xbananachipsx, BSN, RN · Jan 28

bayarea123 said:

Hi - 2 yrs late to this. Any nurses in this post have any updates? I am a RN who had a complaint filed against them for malpractice/non diversion related.

I am catastrophizing a bit but also am wondering if I should give this career up.. I read a lot on forums of nurses struggling to find jobs even after discipline.

it ain't over til the fat lady sings.

if you have Liability Insurance now is a good time to use it and lawyer up. keep working and keep fighting. feel free to e-mail me. I just finished my probation last year. was able to apply after the 2 year mark. hopefully never again will I have to deal with the board like this. lesson learned.

Just.Blessed.RN, BSN, RN · May 3

Hi, I know this is an old thread but any advice or updates on the matter?

I'm anticipating being put on probation and I NEED to hear about the light at the end of the tunnel. Please and thank you.

xbananachipsx, BSN, RN · May 4

Just.Blessed.RN said:

Hi, I know this is an old thread but any advice or updates on the matter?

I'm anticipating being put on probation and I NEED to hear about the light at the end of the tunnel. Please and thank you.

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

I was placed on a 3-year probation sentence. You may petition for modification after 1 year, and that's mostly to have the fines reduced. After 2 years, I was able to apply for early termination.

I am fortunate to work with a supportive supervisor and she helped me professionally and mentally to keep me sane and to ensure I am a safe practicing RN.

I was also fortunate to have been a assigned a probation monitor. Having a good rapport is essential not just professionally but also psychologically. You're working with them for as long as your stipulations say, so just make the best of it and don't hesitate to ask questions.

Just.Blessed.RN, BSN, RN · May 5

xbananachipsx said:

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

I was placed on a 3-year probation sentence. You may petition for modification after 1 year, and that's mostly to have the fines reduced. After 2 years, I was able to apply for early termination.

I am fortunate to work with a supportive supervisor and she helped me professionally and mentally to keep me sane and to ensure I am a safe practicing RN.

I was also fortunate to have been a assigned a probation monitor. Having a good rapport is essential not just professionally but also psychologically. You're working with them for as long as your stipulations say, so just make the best of it and don't hesitate to ask questions.

Hey, thank you for this information.

1. Were you granted modification after the 1st year and early termination after the 2nd?

2. Also, were you able to keep your job once your license was out under probation?

I am currently working on a unit that I love but I'm a new hire so the Manager and I are just cordial, no long standing relationship. I would love to stay on my unit but it's in a major hospital and they may terminate me becuase of this. I'm sooooooo afraid of becoming unemplyable for 3 years or more.

xbananachipsx, BSN, RN · May 6

Just.Blessed.RN said:

Hey, thank you for this information.

1. Were you granted modification after the 1st year and early termination after the 2nd?

2. Also, were you able to keep your job once your license was out under probation?

I am currently working on a unit that I love but I'm a new hire so the Manager and I are just cordial, no long standing relationship. I would love to stay on my unit but it's in a major hospital and they may terminate me becuase of this. I'm sooooooo afraid of becoming unemplyable for 3 years or more.

for the first year, my modification was to have my fines reduced which I did. I requested the modification on the grounds of being the breadwinner of the family, in grad school, and living in an area with high cost of living.

I have had a really good relationship with my supervisor for years, and she understood how I felt about the ordeal. so I have been with the same job since.

few things to ask you:
1. do you have a union rep? maybe consult with them about what they have to say about your situation?
2. unless anything comes up when someone searches your license in the database, do not mention anything to HR or supervisor
3. not a question, but if you haven't done so, hire a lawyer and have Liability Insurance.
4. there are places that will hire nurses under probation - you just have to look.

Just.Blessed.RN, BSN, RN · May 6

xbananachipsx said:

for the first year, my modification was to have my fines reduced which I did. I requested the modification on the grounds of being the breadwinner of the family, in grad school, and living in an area with high cost of living.

I have had a really good relationship with my supervisor for years, and she understood how I felt about the ordeal. so I have been with the same job since.

few things to ask you:
1. do you have a union rep? maybe consult with them about what they have to say about your situation?
2. unless anything comes up when someone searches your license in the database, do not mention anything to HR or supervisor
3. not a question, but if you haven't done so, hire a lawyer and have liability insurance.
4. there are places that will hire nurses under probation - you just have to look.

1. This is helpful information. Thank you. Unfortunately I don't work in a state that has unions so that's not an option.

2. The hospital does check to make sure are licenses are still active when it's time for renewal, so July of 2026 for me. But doesn't the BON make you inform your employer of the ruling/punishment? Especially if there are stipulations. (Luckily no narcotics, DUI, or any diversion is involved with my case)

3. I do have a lawyer. We area still in the invegation phase. My goal is for my lawyer to get the stipulations/ restrictions/ and fined to be a minimal as possible once a judgement has been made.

4. I don't have Liability Insurance, do I need it?

And yes, I'll have to do a deep dive for facilities that we hire a nurse with an encumbered license. That thought alone is keeping me up at night tbh.