Nurse felon needing a job

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Hi fellow recovering addicts! I am in need of help in finding a job as a RN since 2 felony convictions (non-violent) They were practice related unfortunately. I got my license back with stipulations and no one will hire me! I feel I went thru all the work of getting my license back and now I can't get a job! I am in IL. I have done everything right since the convictions (just over one yr ago) and I am on criminal and BON probation. Any help would be appreciated. I feel so discouraged. Thanks!

No we don't... I think my nursing career is on hold for awhile. :(

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I would start calling private doctors offices and see if they do or do not take patients with Medicare/Medicaid. There are a couple mds here in alaska that do not:)

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Thanks! It's worth a try!

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Just writing to see how you were doing. I do an awful lot of reading on this site but not an awful lot of commenting. But, I wanted to say that I was thinking about you and your situation and was saying a prayer that something good will come for you. I understand how difficult it can be to overcome your past. I never believed in myself even when everyone else did. Now that I finally believe in myself after 3+ years of sobriety, it has been difficult to find outsiders to believe in me. I, too, pray that someone will see me for the person that I am and what I've overcome rather than what I've done in the past. It's one of the most difficult things, but I believe that it can be done. Remember...one day at a time. Keep us updated and best of luck to you!! :)

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Thank you for the kind words. So far nothing has come along as I now have endured an OIG exclusion. I know in my heart one day I will get to practice as a RN again! I am taking one day at a time.... It's all we can do. Thanks again for the uplifting comments! :)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Mayb a dumb suggestion but in central IL. There is a physician who runs several methadone clinic on cash only basis. He has a huge practice in peoria, Bloomington and Springfield.

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Kandikissesrn,

Stick with it, I know this has nothing to pertain to your situation, but my father was a police officer who was forcibly retired for taking cocaine on crime scenes and using, so like you he was charged with two felonies. After prison, through a period of five to ten years, he found a power plant that hired him as a janitor, sweeping and mopping up soot from the coal miners as they ended their shift. He showed up for work two hours early, working for free and, for the lack of a better word, busting his ass to show he was worth his weight in gold. They kept promoting him and promoting him until he became the facilities manager of the entire power plant (it sounds like 'head janitor', but it isn't, he also learned to fix things and repair, taking classes in prison) and in the end, he earned a six-figure salary! He retired recently with a half-million dollar pension and is the happiest man you'll ever meet. The point is, you will mirror his story because you are not a puppet to an occupation or nursing board, they are puppets to you. They're the ones who handle your paperwork, look you up on databases, and keep tabs on you as best they can. There is nothing more unpredictable than a human being, and for you to be "choosing them" is a waste of a good spirit. You are a nurse: you "choose yourself!" Search high and low and apply for every job. If that doesn't work, then write a book on why it didn't work, if that doesn't work, start looking elsewhere. Stick with it man and don't let negativity bring you down.

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Specializes in ER, ICU/CCU, Open Heart OR Recovery, Etc.

I had the same issue (felonies) and mine too were practice related. I sought help from a Legal Aid attorney, who was able to file the paperwork to get my arrests and convictions expunged. I'm not sure if IL has a law that allows this, and not sure about the particulars such as how long it has to be after completing court requirements before one is eligible for relief, etc but it is worth checking out.

There was a time I thought I'd never get back, because of the felony convictions, because of the OIG Exclusion list and the National Practitioner Database records I have. Little by little, I chipped away at them. Today all arrests and convictions expunged, working on getting off the OIG naughty list and getting my NPDB records updated to show the changes in the past several years. I'm also currently in monitoring and doing ok.

It IS possible. Just keep looking, for jobs, for options.

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