Turned down due to nursing probation

[determined_nurse]

I just wanted to share an experience I had recently with applying for a nursing job. I have a consent agreement with the BON for 5 years also called nursing probation. I was interviewed for a RN job a local hospital and the interview went great. I did not share that I was on nursing probation and wanted to let them know at the 2nd interview. I was called back for my 2nd interview and it went very well then I told them about my consent agreement and what was required of it. I got a call back about 1 week later stating that my interview, references, and experience were amazing and they wanted to hire me! BUT, the nurse manager had experience with my type of situation in the past and it did not go well and I believe the nurse relapsed. So, she stated point blank that the reason I was not being hired was because of my history of substance abuse! I'm over half way through my nursing probation and have been clean and sober for 4 years....I explained. The nurse manager said that was great and to give her a call when it had been 5 years and my probation was over! What the heck! What is her mindset? Does she feel that I'll be magically "cured" when I hit the 5 year mark? I cannot believe the ignorance some people have when it comes to addiction. Somehow I feel that she just didn't want to deal with the paperwork.....sigh.

[Umberlee]

I am having the same difficulty. I agreed to probation instead of having to spend 20.000 to fight the BRN. Now I can't find a job in the LA area. Any ideas?

I had to take a truly awful job at the biggest dive of a nursing home we had here in town. I only did it until my restriction on passing meds was lifted, then I was lucky enough to network with another nurse in recovery and get hired at her workplace, a group home for DD adults. The psych facility I'm at now is also recovery-friendly and there are two of us here on contracts (well, actually I just graduated). Networking is super important IMO...we have a CEO at a small hospital nearby that I met during an AA meeting and he told me if I ever wanted a job there that he would be sure HR didn't discriminate for being fired for diversion. If there are any caduceus groups nearby (and you're in LA, there should be tons!) go to those. We don't have them here but I can't emphasize enough...network, network, network, find out what places are program-friendly and what places not to waste your time at.

[Twoyearnurse]

Umberlee you could not be more correct! Networking is so important, landing a job where there is another nurse in recovery would be amazing, if only for the support and understanding! Not to mention one of the most terrifying experiences is walking into an interview not knowing if the facility is at least recovery friendly, especially if one thinks one is the only one there (like all those ones?).

[nursehomesupplies]

Nursing boards are notoriously biased, and unfair. If you are a Dr its a different story. Once you've been put on probation it doesn't restrict you totally and is better than loosing the license.

[BeOne77]

does anyone know if you surrender your license, you can still use your degree (BSN) to move to another area of medicine even if you no longer carry the license? The education (degree) should still be transferable isn't it? the license to practice may be gone but the degree itself isn't correct? does anyone have knowledge in this area?

[Twoyearnurse]

Your education can never be taken away from you, you earned that degree. Now the cautionary statement: if the jobs you are looking at require a professional license you will run into problems. In my state, Alaska, all professional licenses (including small buisness!) are investigated by the same folks, the boards are separate. This means, however, that if I wanted to be licensed as a physician or even a lawyer I would be flagged and more than likely put into a monitoring program or even denied. I asked my investigator this question and he said that Typically all fields want to see you clear one license before another is granted. I hope this helps.

[Nordy]

Did you ever find the answer to this question (regarding the Bipolar)? I am on 3 year probation due to a mental health related issue. I do not know the answer to your question, but if someone has some information I'd really like to know...