License reinstated but no one will hire me

[47lpn]

SORRY THIS IS LONG:( Eight years ago I lost my license due t a felony conviction of obtaining controlled substances. I made a terrible decision about how to deal with a life crisis during that time and was addicted to pain medications. In 2009 I finally got up the nerve to attempt to get my license reinstated. I didn't try before then because I felt ashamed and unworthy and didn't think I had a chance, but to my surprise and after a lot of hoop jumping and $2700.00, my license was reinstated. I was elated. I had never had an addiction before 8 years ago and never had a problem nor relapse after and went through rehab. I was also able to get my record expunged. The problem I am having now is that no one will hired me. Although I can legally check "no" on the convictions question, there is still an adverse disciplinary action on my license that spells out the whole incident and therefore I have to begin every interview with....."8 years ago...and explain what happened. The problem I now face is that although my record is expunged and my background check comes back clear, I am still being denied employment at every turn. I have been honest with everyone upfront and have even had 4 facilities offer me employment knowing my history, and then take back the offer due to someone on the corporate level saying no. I have sent out 74 resumes in a little over 30 days most with applications attached and a summary of my disciplinary action included and no one is responding. I've been applying and job hunting for 3 months. If I do get lucky and get to meet someone face to face, they will give me all this positive talk about how everyone makes mistakes and it's ok, and then I never hear from them again. The BON told me that hundreds of nurses have these types of things on their records and still can be employed. I feel like I have wasted my time, energy, hopes and a lot of money that I didn't have to spare for nothing. When I finally got my license back, I was so full of hope and optimism. I knew it would be hard having that mark on my record, but I never dreamed it would be like this. I have been comfort eating, depressed and reliving the shame that I've felt for so many years all over again and it is making me want to give up because I just don't know what to do. I have applied for CNA and caregiver positions just to get my foot back in the door and to build trust. I have applied for receptionists' positions in physicians offices and even offered to volunteer at our local hospital in order to establish trust and let them see my work ethic before they hire, but they have all just blown me off, or said we'll call you and I never hear from them. Does anyone have any suggestions or should I just hang it up?

Thanks in advance and sorry to be so down right now.

[queen777]

Perhaps you should try agency nursing. There are always jobs for these nurses. I used to be one and I just loved it! If I didn't like the place they sent me, I simply would not go back.

At least this would get your feet wet again and believe they are always looking for ambitious, good nurses.

Find out too whether your past history really has to be brought up. Maybe these people who say you have a job are really seeing you are a liability issue...who knows. Keep trying; you will eventually get what you want.

I only wish you the best of luck...right now the economy sucks!

[arnp64]

Hi fellow nurses,

I would like to share my story for those who have marks on their license:

My state does not prescribe controlled substances. I had the practice I worked at allowed me to do so with permission of the MD. I got reported and disciplined. Because I had a history of alcoholism. I went to rehab and got five years in the nurse recovery program plus the disciplinary action. I have had a hard time with the punishment because others in the program were not reported striaght to the board and directly to the IPN(Intervention Project for Nurses). My problem with that is when they get out they have a fresh start whereas I still will be punished indefinitely. If the board makes the rules why can't I get a fresh start after completing the program. I have not been able to get credentialed because hospitals are unforgiving. When I wrote the prescriptions I was not aware that physician permission was not ok. I did not write controlled substances for myself it was for legitimate patients. I feel that if you prove yourself you should get the same chance as those who reported themselves. Some of the nurses did far worse then I did but have been given second and third chances in the IPN. Doe anyone know states that forgive disciplinary actions after a period of time in which you have stayed out of trouble? hope someone has some hope because after three years sober and being let go from a job because of credentialing really makes my spirit go in the ditch.

[arnp64]

I would really like to talk with you further. I am in the same boat [email protected].

What state are you in?

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

My state does not prescribe controlled substances.

What in the world does this mean?

[Meraki]

I think we have to be careful about assuming that because one has had an addiction that working in addictions is the best place for them. For some people, part of their recovery is avoiding people / places where drugs are present. Also hearing people talk about their issues related to drug use can put someone in recovery back into that negative place or bring up issues of over identifying, projection, countertransference etc... Additionally there is a skill set involved in being a nurse working with substance users and having a similar experience is not necessarily going to mean one has the needed skills. Also each person's experience is individual and one persons addiction / recovery may have little in common with another person - so just having been through it doesn't necessarily mean you can relate to everyone.

I am not at all saying it CAN'T be a good fit - just that it isn't automatically a good fit just because you have had an addiction. In the same way having had a severe injury/illness and spending considerable time in ICU doesn't necessarily mean you would make a great critical care nurse - despite the fact you could relate to the patients.

Good luck to the OP - don't lose hope. There are success stories on here of nurses who have gotten employment after their licenses were reinstated. .

[unplannedRN]

It's been 3 years, so hopefully this is past history for 47lpn. If not, it would be sad, because the nation needs nurses and people deserve second chances. I personally believe there should be a process through which nurses who have kept themselves out of any kind of trouble for many years, and who can demonstrate rehabilitation, and whose offense never involved danger to others or mistreatment of a patient, can be guaranteed a second chance, with limitations based on patient and employer protection.

Here's some things I have learned about sharing bad news (even just a disability that isn't visible--never mind the ADA!) during a Job Search:

It's best to wait until you meet for your interview before discussing details, but NEVER leave anything off your application when the application expressly requests that information. If you do omit information regarding criminal or disciplinary history, you are lying, and that is much worse than having a mistake in your past. In addition, if you lie even once, and are reported or word gets around, you'll ruin your chances entirely and depending on the circumstances, can be subject to further disciplinary action!

Second, move to another area, not another state, and only if you want to escape the small-town gossip aspect of it. Your record goes with you, and relocation can seem like an attempt to hide your history, which, again, is worse than having one in the first place!

If you move to another state, you will be suspected of moving to escape further problems, even when you can show you've moved for another reason. Many employers let nurses go rather than report them, to avoid adverse publicity and/or lawsuits from patients or the fired employee. The nurse in such cases moves on to do more harm elsewhere. When you move without a very recent and good nursing work history and an unrelated reason for doing so, they always wonder; if you have an actual conviction history it will increase the level of suspicion.

Your best bet is to try a bigger city in the same state, or stay put. Answer briefly and factually on applications, but only if asked. At the first interview when you are asked, or when you sign releases for background checks, again give a brief factual account, emphasizing how you've changed and want to earn their trust. Don't get defensive or emotional. If you're not asked, and the background check hasn't been started yet, share this first with the nurse who interviews you for the actual position.

It's better sharing this face-to-face, with obvious regret but not wallowing in shame or pleading for forgiveness. Don't put another person in the position of having to hire you to show he/she "forgives" you, nor sound desperate enough that they will feel guilty for not hiring you. People resent this, and they will avoid the whole uncomfortable situation by sincerely reassuring you about "second chances" , truly wish you well, but...breathe a sigh of relief when you go. Keep it frank and regretful but don't dwell on it unless they do; let alone wallow or beg.

You made a very big mistake and one you deeply regret; you know you have to earn their trust (i.e. know that this is not a free "do-over"); you're willing to go the extra mile to do so; you have put it behind you and moved on; you are a professional and determined to show it; you understand their concerns.

They will either give you a chance or not, but in any case, this is your HISTORY, not who you are now, and they are considering whether to risk hiring someone with your skills AND that history, not judging you as a person or your worth as a nurse to your patients. Some of them may have disciplinary histories themselves or a family member who is struggling with an addiction And, of course, there are nurses who made mistakes and never got caught, while also cleaning up their act.

And any hiring manager who is secretly addicted or has any such issue he/she is hiding will steer a wide path around you, lest you draw attention to their own problem!

Again, this is your HISTORY, not who you are now. Remember that. Keep your head high, but be humble. Someone will hire you; it just takes time.

Daycare for the minimally-dependent elderly (where there are no narcotics), outpatient psych, school nursing for teens, giving flu shots, auditing records, home health admissions (at facilities, not their homes), dialysis, and other work where there are no prescription pads or stored narcotics, and where you do not give out medicines, or do so only in the presence of another nurse, and where there is little chance for diversion of a patient's meds: any of these might indeed be your best bet. Those are just guesses, but dialysis is a good bet because coworkers are in sight of each other at all times, and there are no narcotics to divert.

Good luck to all of you who are trying to bounce back from a big mistake. Keep your dignity and don't give up. You may find that what you end up doing is much more to your liking than what you were aiming for. (Which makes me wonder, 47lpn: what was that other job you loved, and were laid off from? Maybe that's the right job for you!)