Prior discipline. Now in Nurseys for public view.

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Hello fellow nurses,

I have been reading in allnurses for quite a few years about nurses with prior disciplines on their license who are unable to obtain employment. So, i thought i would share my story. 9 years ago i self reported a 1x marijuana use because i felt so guilty for even trying it. "Oh boy that was the biggest mistake of my nursing career". In the end i received a consent agreement 1 year of monthly UA test at my expense,probation without restrictions. My test were all negative I did not lose my job. But what they wrote on my consent disturbed me. "I admitted to marijuana use after random screen". Untrue, i self reported to my boss who told me "most people have tried it at one time in their life". She told me you are a great nurse you don't miss work, patients love you etc... But, it is my duty to report you to board of nursing. So, going forward one year later my license fully active etc... with notation of prior discipline. No problem with employment etc... for the last 9 years. Now, Ohio joined Nurseys and my consent agreement from 9 years ago in full public view. You probably know what's coming next. My company let me go after all these years, and i pass their random drug test. Oh, by the way clear background checks. Now when i apply i do get some return emails for interviews but then silence. One hiring manager was kind enough to return an email and was very blunt with me. "You will probably have difficulty finding any gainful employment as a nurse due to this blemish on your license" " I have way too many applications with out a blemish as it is". etc.... etc.... "Unfortunately, our corporate views this as a liability that we just can't except". I am so heartbroken over this but she is probably right noone will give me a chance all over again. So i guess it's time to hang up my 20 years experience.:( So, i feel for all nurses that are recovering addictions etc.... Maybe, because i have had this experience i feel that something/legislation needs to happen to stop the "Lifelong punishments" Maybe only visible 10 years etc.... depending on the issue. This is all i have known nursing. Heck even some adds i see for gas stations want cash register experience etc.... I guess it's all over. Lose my house, car, and everything that goes with it. Felons are treated better than nurses with a prior discipline.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I'm very sorry for your situation. I do want to ask what made you feel compelled to self-report?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I'm very sorry for your situation. I do want to ask what made you feel compelled to self-report?

I'm curious too. If they were drug testing you & might come up positive, that's one thing. But just trying it once & no drug screen, seems like an odd thing to do.

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Well, thanks for all the comments. Word of the day "Naive". You would really have to know me. I was brought up believing that everyone is good etc.... Boy have i learned the difference. I really thought my boss @ the time was forgiving. Guilt, guilt and guilt. I swore i would never do that and i did. Went through a trauma. My children's father committed suicide i was scared to be on my own without support system. Someone offered said " will relieve all your stress" I smoked got the munchies hated it. But i do believe now that it has a great medicinal effect for pt's with CA etc.... Actually i spoke with a woman at OBN who thought it was odd that my employer would keep me knowing this. But she did and it was noted on my consent agreement. Actually, I have good news someone approached me today via email and offered me an interview even with that prior discipline. She was very kind and understanding. Told me " You made a mistake paid the price and i really need a nurse with your experience". "You pass our drug test there will not be an issue". so i am elated!!!!!

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That's great news. Thanks for the update.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Awesome news! I was going to say, "I'm sorry. That is way too high and price for a one time off-the-clock mistake." I'm truly sorry for your loss, too. But glad that you have an encouraging update. Let us know how your interview goes!

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Me too Here.I.Stand. I see so many nurses have their licenses disciplined for petty things or read stories of how another nurse out for revenge falsified to board of nursing. Unfortunately, OBN or i am sure many other boards. Guilty until they feel you are innocent or they have milked your life savings. Usually the latter. Like i said in my first post. Something has to be done to change the way the system works. I agree if you screwed up etc.... Pay your dues. But really.... a lifelong punishment for public view/safety.

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

You're preaching to the choir. It's not just nursing boards. There are physicians that have these issues. I feel that if there are no further issues after a number of years, there should be an option to have it removed due to the negative effect it can have on the professional. One could wonder why NURSYS doesn't do that, but then again they are composed of regulatory agencies and I don't think that's a high priority.

I'm so happy that you got that interview and get another chance. Your experience IS valuable. Good luck, and please keep us posted :)

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

I'm a bit confused. You self-reported 1 time marijuana use. Was that the same incident as the DUI you mentioned in another post, or was this different?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I'm a bit confused. You self-reported 1 time marijuana use. Was that the same incident as the DUI you mentioned in another post, or was this different?

Wow. Well I would think a DUI would land you in the trouble you're having now.

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I read the bottom of your posts i now realize why you keep posting "almost accusatory" " I am confused" comments you are in PDN & drug recovery". That is ok. Yes, all same time frame. Courts are not real quick around here. I speak from time to time @ the same DUI classes that i took. "How my life was changed/turned upside down in an instant". for whatever the reason that it is not acceptable. "Denial". I had a chain of traumatic events in my life in a super short period of time that i could not physically or emotionally deal with. Hair falling out, lost 37lbs in a matter of weeks etc... I chose the evils to get through that short period in my life. If this was another state i would have probably had to go through IPN. But our Board does not have that program. Just discipline. When i reported the marijuana to my employer/friend. Not a good combo. I thought she may offer help knowing my personal situation @ that time in my life. This was not the case. In the end of all of this i chose to get professional help via psychiatrist, psychologist specializing in PTSD. They were wonderful. I have them to thank for getting me through. My post were really just to get feedback of how our nursing profession is punished for life. No forgiveness period for the rest of your natural born life. There are nurses/doctors and others that have 100% turned their life around and have never re-abused illicit drugs/alcohol. Does that mean that all recovering addicts should be lumped together in the pile of "your life is over, so shoot yourself, hang up your career, you are done for" type of attitudes. I do not think so. But i feel the nursing/medical community criminalizes medical professions for addictions. No help just criticize and punish. I realize their has to be accountability. But forever. I just don't think it should be that way.

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I agree with you wholeheartedly. There has to be accountability for actions we choose to take. But NOT FOREVER. i was one of the lucky ones that reached out for help to stop it in it's tracks before it became a lifelong issue. No, i probably, putting the shoe on the other foot, would not want a medical professional with repeat addiction problems to perform surgery on me. But if this same MD/DO got help and remained in sobriety for many years than yes you can care for me. Addiction, i feel does not take away the skill. Clouds the judgement to perform that skill if under the influence. But if they remain sober the judgement is no longer clouded. There is sometimes a lot of hypocrites who become judge, jury and executioner and then go home and pound a twelve pack of beer/smoke a bag of weed, whatever their drug of choice drive, break the law, whatever, and continue to dole out severe punishments to people for the same thing because they are in positions of power. UNFAIR and UNJUST.

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