bpowers5211

I am now an RN but I started as a CNA in a cardiac telemetry unit while I was in school. I did all the "basic" CNA stuff but it was pretty laid back. I'm really glad I got to work as one before getting my RN because it really helped out a lot. Plus it's kinda like hospital "street cred" where I work lol.

First off congrats on the career change! To be a CRNA you need at least 1 year of ICU experience. To get ICU experience you usually have to work in another department for AT LEAST one year. So the path is a little longer. Answering your DNP question, the answer is yes as long as it is not a DNP with a focus on education. Honestly, with a CRNA I don't know why you would also get a DNP because it would be two separate careers.

It may not be the most desirable position but maybe try working as a CNA at a local hospital just to get your foot in the door. For my current position there were over 400 applicants and the only reason I got an interview was because I worked as a CNA at the facility. Might be worth a shot to put in 6 months somewhere.

I would go to a community college. If you are worried about your GPA dont even declare that you took previous classes and start fresh. I didn't transfer some units from a previous college I went to and I was fine. You can knock it out in 2 years if you get all of your classes.

Update is that I passed my NCLEX (even after 6 months off, you all will do just fine) and I have an interview on Wed.

Sorry for the delays in getting back to people. I'm pretty swamped with messages but I'm trying to get back to all of you. You will be denied. That's a fact. However, do not let this get you down because there is a process that you have to go through. Get a good attorney to help you with the DUI and get your court ordered terms finished ASAP. Again, I can't stress the importance of supporting documentation and try to find a MD in your area that specializes in addiction to evaluate you for the BRN. I don't know why the BRN dropped the charges to be honest. I just bombed them with supporting documentation and maybe it helped that I was already employed by a hospital and had letters of reccomendation from my managers (all are RN's). Lemme know if you have any questions

Rn,EMT-P. Once you let them know you wish to enter into a stipulated agreement (do this in writing after you get your denial letter) you will have to wait until the attorney generals office recieves your file from the BRN. This will take a few weeks after they recieve your letter. You will have time to gather up supporting documents at that point. As soon as the AG's office gets your information I would contact the deputy that will be handling your case. The BRN will tell you who to contact. But as I stated earlier give as much supporting documentation as you can and get signed off by an addictionologist. A letter from an MD with that title behind his/her name will really solidify your case and more than likely give you an unrestricted license. Cheers and keep in touch if you have any questions. Oh and in response to your question, the BRN did not even look at your supporting documentation when they sent you the denial letter. They look at it after the AG's office has assigned a statement of issues.

At each facility you apply to make sure that you go in and talk with department managers and sell yourself. With the economy as hard as it is you really have to make yourself stand out among all the other applicants.

My heart goes out to you as I myself have also made poor decisions in my past. However, some times we go through trials in our life for reasons we can not explain. I would keep pressing on. Also, if your record was truly expunged and the BRN didn't catch anything when they ran a background check, I don't see how a local hospital is finding stuff. When your record is expunged you are not legally required to claim the mistake. I would research some attorneys and explain your case. Might be able to get a pro bono.

I got the pop up " Our records show you have previously reregistered ...." and today I found out I passed. A buddy of mine was able to enter his credit card information and he failed. It does work :)

I would enter into a stipulated agreement with them. If you chose to have a formal hearing the outcome would be the same (probationary license). In my case, I had one DUI and chose to enter into a stipulated agreement. After providing them with solid documentation (letters from employers, addictionologist stating I don't have a problem, and nursing instructors) I was given an unrestricted license. DON'T hire an attorney. They will not be able to help you against the BRN and they will charge you out the @ss. Just be honest and get your cards lined up. You will be given some sort of a license and if you do have to get a probationary at least you will be able work. Also, after 6 months you can apply to have your probationary license converted to an unrestricted.

For DUI or any drug related convictions I would spend the money and get an evaluation done by an addictionologist. With that documentation the BRN would have a hard time denying you based on their thought that you have a problem.

Sure. The first thing that will happen is that you will be denied a chance at taking the NCLEX. This will come in the form of a letter from the BRN and at the end it will give you two options. The first is to go to a formal hearing (which can take up to a year) or go into a stipulated agreement with the BRN (which I did). Once the BRN receives your response they will have the attorney generals office draft up a statement of issues. The SoI takes about 3 months. When the AG's office is done with the document the BRN then decides what action they will take which are 1.) deny you a license (which wont happen) 2.) continue with licensing or 3.) send the statement of issues back to the AG's office to continue establishing the terms of a probationary license. I was issued a non-probationary license but I think it all depends on your supporting documentation and the circumstances surrounding your case. At the least you will get a probationary with some ridiculous terms and be able to practice. I would get all of your cards lined up. If you have the time get an evaluation done by an addictionologist to send in with your paperwork when you go to apply for licensure. It may cost you around 800 bucks but from what I hear it's worth it. I didn't need one but if I had to give any advice to anyone it's to have one done. That way the BRN can rest knowing that an MD has stated that you don't have any issues with alcohol or drugs. The whole process took me about 6 months but I take my NCLEX next week!

Don't get a lawyer. I was given an unrestricted license. Just expect to wait about 5 to 6 months. Make sure they have proof of completion of your dui class and community service. Lemme know if you have any questions

I just wanted to post some info about the California BRN and dui's since there isn't a lot of information out there. In my 3rd semester of school I made a stupid decision to drink and drive. I got caught and received a misdemeanor. I graduated in December and was initially denied the chance to take the NCLEX. After receiving a letter from the board I opted to go into a stipulated agreement with them. From there the attorney generals office drafted a statement of issues and sent it to the board. It took about a month but in the end the brn dropped the charges against me and is allowing me to take my nclex. I think what helped me was being honest and persistent. So don't let the process get you down and press on.

Yeah I have completed all that the courts have asked of me, They initially denied my application and said I can do one of 2 things, either settle with them or go to a formal hearing. If I settle they said that I could be granted a probationary license. After talking with a family friend who sits on the medical board here in California he told me not to even go to a hearing because it could take a long time and the outcome could be the same (probationary license). I'm just wondering if anyone has had experience with how long I should expect to wait to get terms for my probationary license. Contacting people at the registered nursing program or the attorney generals office is a waste of time because they are so vague. I have no issue with a probationary license because I was already offered a job. However, I just want to speed up the process.

Hi, When I was in nursing school I made a terrible decision and got a misdemeanor DUI. After that mistake I got a job in a hospital as a CNA (to get my experience) and graduated nursing school. Now I am running into issues with licensure. I was told by many attorneys to not go to a formal hearing but to settle for terms of a probationary license. However, I was told this could take up to a year and they could still deny me a license. Has anyone had any experience with this? I am extremely upset at myself for doing what I did but the BON (now the registered nursing program) feels it necessary to run me through the ringers.