Nursing after attempting suicide

Nurses Recovery

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Last November I tried to end my own life. In December I was contacted by the Virginia BON that I had been assigned a case number. I'm assuming that somehow my treatment team reported me. I was then in contact with my investigator in January and did an interview. I have been focusing on my mental health and wellbeing ever since. I am finally preparing to return to work later this month. According to the VBON website, my license IS still active but I never heard anything back from the BON. I've attempted calling and was told my case was sent to the BON. This was 9 months ago. What do I do? Am I legally allowed to practice considering my license is still active?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Women's Health, LTC.

As far as I know, and understand, it can take MONTHS and EVEN YEARS for the BON to contact you. As long as your license states active, I would work.

Make sure you are taking care of yourself FIRST and foremost. If you have any documentation of the care you received and ongoing care, I would gather that and keep it all. You never know what the board may ask of you.

I am glad you are feeling better and I hope you will take time to make sure you are healthy each and every day! My thoughts and good vibes are coming your way!

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The BON takes 4 ever! It took them 3 1/2 years to contact me after I met with an investigator regarding my substance abuse ! I’m working as a nurse since my license is still active, have been for 3 years, and I meet with the board next month. Good luck!

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Hey mississippi..... when do you meet with the board as I want to make sure to be thinking of you, sending prayers and anything needed. Just know you have people out here that you don't even know that care!!

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Oct 8.. thank you!!

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Praying for you as well Kristina. Stay in recovery, be blessed!

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Specializes in Telephonic and Addictions Nursing.

You can do it. Please don’t discouraged.

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Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Medsurg.

We are here for you

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On 9/12/2019 at 10:01 PM, em3120 said:

Last November I tried to end my own life. In December I was contacted by the Virginia BON that I had been assigned a case number. I'm assuming that somehow my treatment team reported me. I was then in contact with my investigator in January and did an interview. I have been focusing on my mental health and wellbeing ever since. I am finally preparing to return to work later this month. According to the VBON website, my license IS still active but I never heard anything back from the BON. I've attempted calling and was told my case was sent to the BON. This was 9 months ago. What do I do? Am I legally allowed to practice considering my license is still active?

Yet after everything, you still find the will to thrive. You are stronger than you think. Keep taking care of your health. All the best with the BON and employment

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On 9/13/2019 at 7:37 AM, mississippiRN71 said:

The BON takes 4 ever! It took them 3 1/2 years to contact me after I met with an investigator regarding my substance abuse ! I’m working as a nurse since my license is still active, have been for 3 years, and I meet with the board next month. Good luck!

Continue pushing forward mississippiRN71, stay in recovery. Best wishes on October 8

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When the VA BON sent you a notice of an investigation, there should have been a pamphlet enclosed in it for VA HPMP...or the Health Practitioners Monitoring Program. In VA, to avoid public discipline, you need to call that number in the pamphlet and request information/an evaluation. If you request to join HPMP without being Board Ordered, you may become eligible for a stay of discipline, where your information is not publicly published on the VA BON website, provided you comply and complete their 5 year monitoring program. If you join monitoring, they will require you to cease practice for a few months...it's just what they do with everyone in the program. I joined HPMP as soon as I got my letter of investigation, and I never did have to go before the Board at all...I received a stay of discipline and as long as I complete my five years, it all stays private. It's a hell of a program to have to navigate and it's an expensive process and quite frustrating, but it is possible to do. Best wishes.

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