Possible license restrictions

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i just received a letter from the ohio board of nursing stating that my application was placed with the compliance unit (i graduate in a few weeks). i have a past history of bipolar disorder (dx 10 years ago- no current issues with it and/or tx). well, i suffered from post partum depression after the birth of my daughter, so i sought out psychiatric treatment in 2007. during the initial assessment, the psychiatrist asked if i had any past drug use. i said yes, that i used cocaine in 2005. he some how interpreted that into "cocaine dependence". also, since i used alcohol in the past a few times a week ( i was in college), he also assumed that i had an "alcohol dependence" problem. the board needed records from my doc because i had a dx of bipolar disorder within 10 years..the board sent me a letter stating that after i pass the boards, that my license will be placed on either temporary or permanent restrictions. i have not used drugs in over 5 years!!! nor did i have a "dependence" problem! i do not have a criminal record (not even a speeding ticket). i am devastated and i do not know what to do. i am terrified that i will not get a job now because of this. i am going to try and get a re-evaluation and get letters sent to the board from my internship preceptor, instructors, bosses...anyone that personally knows me. i don't mind doing random drug tests, but i do not want the stigma of a restricted nursing license. can anyone please help?? what do i do??

thank you.:confused:

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

These just aren't questions we can answer. I think you are going about it the right way though by asking for a re-evaluation.

Good luck.

I got really screwed over in this case, as I did not seek legal assistance because I didn't have the funds for it. Basically, the psychiatrist misdiagnosed me. He said that I was "alcohol dependent, cocaine dependent, marijuana dependent..." I made the mistake of seeing a psychologist for assistance with anxiety and she sent a report to the BON with the original doc's dx. The attorney for the board has her mind made up about me being an addict. I have 90 days of pre-licensure drug tests (in addition to the minimum of 2 years probation), psych and CD evals, CEU's, I cannot be a supervisor, work home health, or in an agency. I don't have any narc restrictions... This just baffles me because I NOW find out that I didn't even have to send in ANY paperwork because the dx was prior to 10 yrs ago and I am not seeking tx. I screwed myself. I was interviewed by one of the best hospital systems in the area and was denied the job because of this... What to do now?? I accepted the agreement like an idiot because the attorney for the board told me that I had no chance and would lose the appeal. I cannot stress enough that I am not an addict, never have, never will be... How do you dx someone with these issues when you saw them for a half hour and the pt hadn't even had a drop of alcohol in over a YEAR?! I need guidance...

I know you posted this over a year ago but I just have to comment & say I know exactly how you feel when the board contacts you they make it seem as if you don't sign the consent agreement you won't get your license & if you get an attorney it won't help it's like they trick you into the agreement. I have my LPN license with 2 yrs probation with restrictions I also can't do home healthcare, any supervising positions & had to do 3.5 hrs of CEUs....I am wondering if you have had any luck since this post though?!?! I hope so!!!!

i just received a letter from the ohio board of nursing stating that my application was placed with the compliance unit (i graduate in a few weeks). i have a past history of bipolar disorder (dx 10 years ago- no current issues with it and/or tx). well, i suffered from post partum depression after the birth of my daughter, so i sought out psychiatric treatment in 2007. during the initial assessment, the psychiatrist asked if i had any past drug use. i said yes, that i used cocaine in 2005. he some how interpreted that into "cocaine dependence". also, since i used alcohol in the past a few times a week ( i was in college), he also assumed that i had an "alcohol dependence" problem. the board needed records from my doc because i had a dx of bipolar disorder within 10 years..the board sent me a letter stating that after i pass the boards, that my license will be placed on either temporary or permanent restrictions. i have not used drugs in over 5 years!!! nor did i have a "dependence" problem! i do not have a criminal record (not even a speeding ticket). i am devastated and i do not know what to do. i am terrified that i will not get a job now because of this. i am going to try and get a re-evaluation and get letters sent to the board from my internship preceptor, instructors, bosses...anyone that personally knows me. i don't mind doing random drug tests, but i do not want the stigma of a restricted nursing license. can anyone please help?? what do i do??

thank you.:confused:

I too have been presented with a Consent Agreement. I have fought with tooth and nail from every angle I can think of-even the Board's Attorney said she was impressed with my research. That's dandy, but I still have this set of documents keeping me up a night. Has anyone had any luck trying to get lesser charges or anything? It all just seems so counter-productive to me! I mean, statistically speaking, crime levels decrease as education levels increase, but I can not pursue my RN in January as planned now. I'm mad bc I even called before applying to school to make sure I wouldn't have any problems and was told I wouldn't. Grrr... Well, good luck to all of you!!!!

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Lesterbee has not been back to the site since this post. Please see numerous other posts with similar issues.

I am the original poster of this post, but I have since been married and have decided to make a new profile! Update: It took me an entire YEAR to find a job (after 20 interviews). I work in home health and I love it, but I am not really making a whole lot of money. I have recently appealed to the board to have the urine screens end with zero luck. I've been at my job for 9 months and drug testing for almost 2, but they wouldn't hear to end the testing. I am not optimistic that my probation will be ended early. I have an attorney, but sometimes it seems as if I am paying her for the Board to just tell me no.

My advice to anyone in my situation: Please consult an attorney before signing those stupid agreements. They will haunt you the rest of your career. Even if you can't get an unrestricted license, I can bet you can probably negotiate a lesser agreement. I had the book thrown at me and am still trying to figure out why when there was no proof that I even used drugs except by my own admission AND from 8 years ago. I never knew admitting experimentation would ruin my life.

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