Ohio BON Final Review

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Hello everyone.  I was looking to see if anyone has dealt with the Ohio Board of Nursing after being informed that their application is in the final review process.  I graduated from nursing school about a little over a month ago and submitted all the required documents and application.  I do have a criminal record.  I got an OVI in 2007 and an alcohol intoxication charge in 2014, which has been expunged.  I provided certified documents to the board, did advanced CEU's, and also provided letters of support from RN's just to assist with their review of my application.  I checked to see if they received everything and was told my application was in the final review process.  I was wondering if anyone has been in the final review process and could give me insight on how long that process is?  I was informed that there 'is no timeline and the applications are processed in the order they are received'.  I'm just curious how long it has taken others to get their ATT.  I've sent a couple more emails but have not received any response.  Also, what else could the BON have me do in order to sit and test and receive my license?  I had a lawyer help me and they said that the board may have me undergo a chemical dependency evaluation and also have me enter into a monitoring program.  2014 was the last time I even caught a buzz.  Thanks in advance for your help! 

Specializes in general.

No Clue on how long it could take... Good luck Buckeye! They certainly could force you into a monitoring contract but I am so happy you got an attorney to help you navigate it! Fingers crossed you get through without anything extra!

Specializes in Surgical.

I can’t speak to Ohio, but in PA, I applied early April 2017 and received a letter on June 7th, 2017, it stated they wouldn’t permit me to test until I was deemed ‘not impaired’.   My dui’s were from 2007 and 2012, I had a lifestyle change after the second one and provided information. I was evaluated and told that while I wouldn’t need treatment, they would still have me see a counselor for private sessions until she signed me off (After about 6 sessions) and that I was considered impaired until I completed the program, and all that it entailed (random testing, meetings, and paperwork). I consulted a lawyer and he said that he wouldn’t be able to do much for me as the BON has the power to deny you testing rights for a license. Either way, it sucked, but I jumped through all the hoops and was granted the right to test by Oct of 2017, passed, and then had to jump through hoops to be granted rights to find employment- which I was able to do (with no narcotics restriction) in Feb of 2018- employed in MedSurg by March of 2018.  I was offered every job I applied to, the hardest part was holding off of dreams to advance in my career as I wanted to specialize and gain increased experience- but I remained on MedSurg the remaining time. 
 

I hope you have a different outcome.

On a brighter note- I completed the program without incident (today actually) and start in the OR on the 9th- no matter what comes- try to push through the BS and keep doing what you are already doing- improving yourself.  

Hi Buckeye123!

I was hoping you could share an update with us regarding your ATT? I will be in a similar situation with the Ohio BON in 2021, and hoping I could gain some enlightenment from you ? 

Did you test already? Did you have to sign an agreement, and if so for how many years? I know everyone’s situation will be different. 
 

Have you found contract/agreement-friendly employment? In general how has your experience been?

I really appreciate your time and ANY advice or tips you would be willing to share with me ?

Hello Squirrelcatcat841.

I ended up getting my ATT about 2 1/2 months after I graduated and took the NCLEX a few weeks ago and passed and received my license.  I don't have any restrictions and I did not have to sign any agreement.  The Ohio Board sent me an advisory letter saying that my case was closed and they recommend me to complete a 5 hour CEU on substance abuse but stated that it is not mandatory.  I'm going to complete them anyway because there's no harm in doing it and can only help if anything comes up in the future. 

One of the things that delayed me was my expunged alcohol intoxication.  I did not list it on my application as advised by my lawyer because they told me from their experience that I didn't have to list this type of charge since it was expunged.  The Board asks for expunged charges IF it has a direct relationship to nursing practice.  It did show up on my FBI background check because it did not clear yet on their side.  The board wanted to know why I didn't list it and after receiving a statement from my lawyer that it was expunged, they closed my case a few days later and granted my ATT and license when I passed.  I probably could have listed my expungement as well but I believe the outcome would have been the same.

My advice to you is to make sure you get a lawyer to assist you in the process.  They assisted me in drafting all of my responses that the Board asked for.  It's better that a lawyer helps you because they know exactly what to put in a statement.  They also told me to be proactive when I applied and to get letters of support and do CEU's to send in with my application to help in process.  Also, try to be patient.  It is stressful waiting around but I strongly believe that having some type of representation helps in moving it along quicker than going at it by yourself.  There are plenty of law firms that specialize in situations with the nursing board and know how to handle it.

I hope this information can help you and I wish you luck!

 

On 12/23/2020 at 11:30 AM, Buckeye123 said:

and do CEU's to send in with my application to help in process. 

 

What CEU's did you do/where did you find them? I found two free CE courses on the NCSBN website on substance abuse in nursing (one for nurses and one for nurse managers and I finished the first and am taking the second). I'd like to take more to turn in with my application. 

Hello again Buckeye123, and hello K. Everly BSN!

Buckeye123: Thank you very much for your response; it gives me a sense of hope. I have a nurse lawyer lined up, and I will also send in letters of reference and CEUs. 
 

I’m wondering the same as K. Everly BSN regarding CEUs. Can you share how you found these to complete or websites where they can be found? 
 

My concern is the BON disregarding CEUs I complete because the source isn’t what/who they want. 
 

Thank you again for your advice!

Hello K. Everly and Squirrelcatcat841.  Sorry for the late response to your question about the CEU's.  I was sent a list of websites from my lawyer that Board recognizes as acceptable sources.  The Board also sent me the same list in my advisory letter.  I don't know if every Board uses the same websites or not but you can get the list of acceptable CEU courses by contacting the Board for your state or checking out the website.  I have attached the list that was sent to me from my lawyer for the Ohio Board.  I hope this information helps!

Continuing Education Resource List - updated 042019.pdf

On 1/7/2021 at 10:33 AM, Buckeye123 said:

Hello K. Everly and Squirrelcatcat841.  Sorry for the late response to your question about the CEU's.  I was sent a list of websites from my lawyer that Board recognizes as acceptable sources.  The Board also sent me the same list in my advisory letter.  I don't know if every Board uses the same websites or not but you can get the list of acceptable CEU courses by contacting the Board for your state or checking out the website.  I have attached the list that was sent to me from my lawyer for the Ohio Board.  I hope this information helps!

Continuing Education Resource List - updated 042019.pdf

Thank you! I wish Michigan had one of those, and I guess for all I know they do but it certainly hasn’t been easy to find it if it does exist.

I completed both of the free CE courses on the NCBSN website and I believe it came to about 9 contact hours. I also completed another free one on dual diagnosis treatment that was one contact hour. I think I’m tapped out - at a certain point one could drive themself to an early grave with the hyper vigilance. What will be will be. 

Specializes in RN.

Hello Buckeye123!

I'm graduating next month and had an Ovi in2009 and was wondering what lawyer you used? I'm also in ohio and I need to apply to sit for my NCLEX and would rather get the lawyer involved from the start to speed things along. Thanks for any info

Hello Clegirl216,

 

I used Graff and McGovern out of Columbus.  Everything happened via phone calls and emails.  They were extremely helpful and worth it.  They advised me from our first conversation and specialize in dealing with Board.  I would get started if you can now getting documents and such.  You’ll need the official records from the courts that are certified from them that you’ll have to obtain on your own.  I didn’t have any trouble getting mine after contacting the county where my issue was.  Also, if you can letters of support from co-workers or faculty, that will also help.  Be honest on the application and I think you be just fine.  Good luck!

On 11/10/2021 at 12:30 PM, Buckeye123 said:

Hello Clegirl216,

 

I used Graff and McGovern out of Columbus.  Everything happened via phone calls and emails.  They were extremely helpful and worth it.  They advised me from our first conversation and specialize in dealing with Board.  I would get started if you can now getting documents and such.  You’ll need the official records from the courts that are certified from them that you’ll have to obtain on your own.  I didn’t have any trouble getting mine after contacting the county where my issue was.  Also, if you can letters of support from co-workers or faculty, that will also help.  Be honest on the application and I think you be just fine.  Good luck!

I've been searching the internet for a similar situation and this is the only place I can find. I received an advisory letter saying all I had to do was take a CE AFTER I get my license, but I haven’t received my ATT yet. Did you get your advisory letter before they emailed you your ATT? 

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