need advice from anyone in Arkansas that been on probation and had a positive UDS.

[AnhayRN]

I need advice from someone in Arkansas that has been on probation and while on probation had a positive drug screen that I have the option to surrender or go before the board in which case they will probably put me on suspension. My question is what are the suspension stipulations and for how long would that probably last? I'm on my own I have no money for an attorney. But Im not going to surrender.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Surrender and move on.

[SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN]

I haven't I wish you luck truly

[Nurse8204]

You should surrender. Here's why:

If your suspended you can't work as a nurse, but you will still have to comply with whatever they say in your consent agreement.... which usually consists of classes that cost money, meetings, reports from employers, quarterly reports, drug testing that costs money, and your civil penalty. All of this costs money and you can't work as a nurse. This usually will be for a number of years that they determine....probably anywhere from 1 to 5 years. After ur suspension is done you will be on probation for a number of years that they determine. (Usually like 1 year suspension with 3 to 5 years probation)

If you surrender, you can't work as a nurse but you also don't have to do anything in that time that you would have been suspended.....so no cost or time getting reports in classes etc..... you will stay surrendered the same amt of time you would have been suspended. Once that time is up, you request ur license back and they will reinstate it on probation (Usually whatever the consent agreement said you would be on after the suspension)

So either way, you can't work.

It's easier to surrender rather than mess up during ur suspension and get in trouble for a 3rd time.

[5150RNKAT]

Yes I did. In California in November. I had surrendered my license voluntarily after having issues with positive drug testing and another accusation filed against my license as well as being bipolar and a few other things in the mix. I was one of 8 cases that day, 2 of them had attorneys. to me the attorneys were a waste of time and money. The panel ended up asking a lot of questions to the nurse themselves any ways, and it doesn't work like a regular court where the attorney can say " don't answer that question" They are there to find out if you are doing the things you need to do to practice nursing safely so they can re-instate your license. YOU are the one responsible to convince them of this and no Lawyer can communicate that to the people on the board. They want to hear your voice, listen to YOU..... PS I listened to 5 people before me took notes and made sure I was prepared for the questions they asked me. I was also prepared not to say certain things too..... AND I got the decision and order that was a YES! No attorney no money wasted....the only thing is they are having me jump through so many hoops I am considering changing careers... Best wishes

[tarab333, BSN]

Yes, I have been before 2 boards of nursing without an attorney, really it all comes down to your personal preference and the facts of your situation. In my cases, I did not wish to disagree with the facts that the board had regarding what I had done, so I felt there was really no reason to obtain counsel. I also have used an attorney with a board the first time around (I relapsed after 8 years clean) and for me, he did not help me at all, just took my money and I would've had the same outcome. So, it is really just up to you and the facts of your case, go with your gut, take a real assessment of your case and then decide, you have to do what you think is best in the long run, it's truly a personal decision.

[sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN]

Not a good plan, rather a perfect design for a disaster

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

The board is out to get you. I have not had to go before the board .. but you bet your sweet tookas.. I would spend the money for legal representation.

[Crystal-Wings, LVN]

I've never had to go before the board, and I hope I never have to.

[Luckyyou, BSN, RN]

My lawyer grandpa always said: "He who represents himself has an idiot for a client"

[kp2016]

Spend a little time searching for posts by other nurses about their experiences with BON. The clear picture regardless of state is don't even think about it about.

[kp2016]

I have no personal experience here, but another nurse, a mother of six recently wrote to nurse Beth. She choose to surrender her license rather than get a lawyer and defend herself (I'm not judging her just stating the facts she mentioned). Based on her post that ended very badly for her and certainly didn't improve her situation. I believe her situation was different to yours but I would say think carefully before surrendering your license without consulting an expert first.