Ohio Board, Kentucky Board

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Specializes in Critical Care, Addiction, Peer Support.

I am not sure what it going to happen to my Ohio Nursing license, I am under review for taking narcotics, my question is, does anyone know if my Ohio license gets suspended will Kentucky do the same? Or is it possible to enter Kentucky's KARE program and just let the Ohio license stay is suspension? I have already been through a program with the Ohio Board 8 years ago, I have now relapsed and trying to figure out options and pick up the pieces of my life.

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Specializes in NICU.

Kentucky will probably mirror you sanction that Ohio BON imposes. You will not have an unencumbered license in KY.

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I really don't know about Ohio, but I know of people that had completed the Peer program in Oklahoma and gotten back into it because of relapses. Are you sure you aren't able to participate again in Ohio?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Addiction, Peer Support.

no, I don't think so, I hope so, but seriously doubt it.

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

I doubt that if OH suspends your license, there would not be reciprocal action taken against your KY license. Another thing to consider is that if your license is suspended or revoked, it is reportable to the Office of Inspector General, which will often exclude you from participation in any Federal healthcare programs (Medicare, Medicaid) for at least five years; its also likely that discipline in either state could also be reported by that state to the National Practitioner Databank. Being on the OIG Exclusions List makes getting a job very difficult, and its not much better being reported to the NPDB. Boards of Nursing are also reporting to Nursys, another national databank that houses information on licensees, on disciplinary measures taken, run by the National Council on State Boards of Nursing.

If I were in your shoes, I'd contact an attorney experienced in working before the OH BON, and see if you can get back into the program. Fight to keep your licenses.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Addiction, Peer Support.

So, just an update on the goings on with the two boards. Kentucky did NOT take action against my license, as I self reported and asked to be placed into their KARE program (their version of Alternative to Discipline). I am licensed in KY as a RN with narcotic restrictions for a year and it is a 5 year contract total, upon successful completion, my license will be reinstated with no restrictions/discipline. Ohio is still up in the air at this point, they did suspend my license and I am waiting for a consent agreement. Ohio no longer has an Alternative to Discipline program, so everyone goes through the consent agreement process now. I know I will end up with a discipline against my license in Ohio, so that's just the way it goes. The Kentucky Board is very recovery friendly and easy to work with, very nurse friendly and genuine.

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Specializes in lots of specialties.

If you have a narcotic restrictions and a 5 year contract, that is considered disciplinary action against you license. Ohio will probably be harsher. They will report you to the national database. You may have better luck getting a job in Ky

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If you have a narcotic restrictions and a 5 year contract, that is considered disciplinary action against you license. Ohio will probably be harsher. They will report you to the national database. You may have better luck getting a job in Ky

A 5 year contract and restrictions isn't considered disciplinary action against your license at all, esp in KY and their program. It is considered a restriction on ones practice, huge difference!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Addiction, Peer Support.

yes, that is correct, as long as I am compliant with the KBON for the 5 years, I can return to nursing practice with no mark on my record. I am very thankful for the KBON, very recovery friendly and respectful.

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Consider yourself very lucky with what they gave you. I was almost done with monitoring in another state where i had NO restrictions. KBN gave me a 4 year contract that only counts if I'm working and includes a 2 year controlled substance restriction as well as supervisor restrictions

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Specializes in ED RN and Case Manager.
yes, that is correct, as long as I am compliant with the KBON for the 5 years, I can return to nursing practice with no mark on my record. I am very thankful for the KBON, very recovery friendly and respectful.

Yes, I agree! KARE has been awesome--very friendly & respectful. My case manager is very approachable, encouraging, and genuinely cares. I've heard "horror stories" regarding BON compliance programs. I've been enrolled for about 3 years & only had positive experiences with the KY KARE program.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Addiction, Peer Support.

Yes, it is nice to be treated like a human being. I have dealt with the OBN in the past, and they were fine, no issues with them. I am about to enter a consent agreement with the OBN, and although, I too, have heard horror stories, I am confident that this process will be just that, a process. I am going into it with a good attitude, and am thankful for the opportunity to even have a chance to keep my Ohio license as this will be my second go around with them.

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