RN needs work in VA w/ disciplinary action

Nurses Recovery

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Hi everyone. Im a RN trying to find employment in Virginia. I have a reprimand on my license after it was suspended briefly due to investigation. (I was in the Florida IPN for 5 years. Virginia is my home state. Once I returned to VA, the BON did an investigation as to the status that should be taken on my VA license....they FULLY REINSTATED MY LICENSE, WITH A MULTISTATE COMPACT PRIVILEGE, NO RESTRICTIONS, ...but did reprimand me).

After the hearing, the VA BON members (the investigators, etc) told me they had NEVER seen a license totally reinstated like mine was!! I was so relieved.

NOW>>> I cant get a job. Everyone wants to hire me, but when I disclose the info about the discipline, they promptly look it up, and I guess see that its "recent", and decline to go further w/ the interview process.

I have tried everywhere. I DID get ONE staffing agency to hire me. The problem is that every time I go to work, at lets say a long term care facility, they want to hire me there...but that is before they find out about the discipline.

I am in the VA beach area, but would accept any employment state wide.

Does anyone have any pointers or suggestions?

Im already blackballed from the Bon Secours facilities...d/t the discipline.

Its like they dont even take the time to hear me out or let me explain. And every application these days asks you up front if you have ever had disciplinary action taken.

What do I do?????

Specializes in Pain, critical care, administration, med.

I am sorry for you and whatever your issues are regarding your license. Nursing is a very unforgiving profession. Nurses that have had problems with diversion are the ones that there is zero forgiveness no one ever wants to hire them.i feel bad because everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves because doctors get it and nothing is ever disputed. Very unfair. You might see if there is a nurse attorney who represents nurses with these types of problems. See if they can help. It may cost but it may be worth your self-respect. Good luck!

You do not have an 'active unrestricted RN license'. You have a permanent, as in 'forever', encumbered license, and will be blackballed, forever. Your past will never be forgiven. Never. You must realize this, to be able decide if you should find another way to make a living. Best of luck, to you.

What do I do?????

It's not forever, Suzie...from my understanding. I am currently in HPMP (VA's program) and from what I was told, after the 5 years of HPMP, the license becomes an unrestricted compact license. I would imagine though, that my board order will forever be online.

@ wish_me_luck: how are you doing?? been wondering about you! how are things going with the job hunt/your recovery program??

I am doing pretty good. I still don't have a nursing job. I will admit, I haven't looked as much as I should be. In a little over a week, I will have a year sobriety. In a week, I will have been in HPMP 8 months. I am fine as far as the BPD; I think self awareness helps a lot and taking personal responsibility. I am still doing the volunteer thing and I really like it. I am getting ready to start facilitating NAMI support groups and hope to build it into an affiliate and try my best to help other people with mental illness (and substance abuse issues). I did apply for a job that deals with psych. I hope my personal (and volunteer) experience can help land the job.

I feel for you, and for me, and for the millions of other Americans that are becoming 'beyond redemption' for past transgressions irregardless of the severity of same.

Hello there. New here and this is my first post. I was recently fired for opiate abuse at work and have just enrolled in HPMP. have any other nurses found work in VA while in the program? I'm pretty scared about all of this and am wanting to know if I have a hope of working in the va beach tidewater area...

I am having similar issues in the Roanoke, VA area...anyone have suggestions?

Hello all. There is hope for us fallen angels yet. I have had a number of really good interviews with the "big f" of dialysis companies. I even have a tentative offer. They still have to do background check and this has me scared as I recently pled guilty to felony possession under the first offender statute. Both my lawyer and te judge made clear that I am NOT a convicted felon though. I plan on attaching a letter outlining the charge an that it is for the same issue that I am in HPMP for which I disclosed during my interview. I just hope this wont ruin my chance at being able to make a difference again... Ill keep you all updated and please, fingers crossed for me?

Hello again. There is hope, there is light at the end if the tunnel. I was hired and even got a $3/hr raise from my previous position. Don't give up there's work out there for us.

Congratulations! So proud. Good thoughts to you from

Alaska!

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