gradrn1

Well, I'm glad you made that choice if it's what's healthiest for you. I certainly understand it. It makes me sad thinking of what an impact I could potentially make if only my 15 year old past wasn't forever haunting me. I have a possibility of a job if HR will agree to move forward with my stipulations. Praying that if this is where God wants me to be He will make it happen. All I can say is I'm doing my part-doing what they've asked me to do and looking earnestly and openly for work. That's all I can do! The rest is out of my hands. I wish you well in your new career choice! You will touch many lives with your experience!

I'm sorry to hear that. Are you working now or looking? Ill tell you what I'm having a hard time with- figuring out how exactly to bring up my status without making it seem like my addiction probs are more relevant than they are. Of course it will always be relevant but 14 years later I don't feel it should have such a huge impact. However being on probation because of it, it is playing a Major role.

Hi, I know lots of posts are made about nurses with restrictions/probation looking for work but I thought maybe it would be nice for nurses currently experiencing this to share their thoughts and ideas. Im recovering 14 years, a nurse for 5 months, and on probation for 1 year in PA for misdemeanor drug charges from 1999. Starting the job search! Not surprised it's been difficult. Holding out faith! Prayed for years about this career path and feel confident God has a place to use me!! Good of luck to anyone going through similar circumstances :)

I know. It just doesn't make logical sense and I'm struggling with it. As of this moment, I'm awaiting to hear from the BON. They forwarded my case to them for review so *fingers crossed* they will not stick to this ridiculous new guideline. It is apparently a new thing they have decided to do...anyone with a conviction under the drug act must go into disciplinary monitoring unit. I have a lawyer looking into it as well. This is so new in PA that even the lawyers aren't sure how to proceed. He has a meeting with them to discuss this new implementation. It is not a law or policy, just the way they have recently decided to handle situations like mine. When I entered nursing school, it was under the previous guideline that as long as it was misdemeanor and more than 10 years ago that it would be ok. I'm not surprised they want to monitor me. I do have a history, albiet old. Although the evaluator said she wouldn't put her name on my eval because she disagreed with them requiring monitoring. I accepted that and was even sent the paperwork for the voluntary program, signed it, and returned it. Then I get a call saying I'm 'not eligible' and must go into disciplinary unit because of the old drug charge. I'm sorry for the 'novel'...I'm just really struggling with this. All the hard work, all the hope I had....it's just so depressing that I will never be forgiven for mistakes made so long ago

Thank you, Sallyrn...I am definitely willing to try anywhere and will try LTC once I am allowed to take my board and look for work! I'm kind of in a holding pattern right now...my case has been forwarded to the BON for review. Hoping for a miracle. They kept saying they *only* want to monitor me for 1 year because I have established recovery but that it would be with a disciplined license. Awaiting what they have to say and then possibly going to bat for myself if they still insist on discipline. I feel like they are punishing me for something that they are afraid *may* happen, over something that happened almost 15 years ago. I don't mind the monitoring if that's what they need to do, but I don't think being disciplined before I even have a license is appropriate! Especially since when I started school this was not their policy...they have just made the decision recently to proceed this way. Praying God puts me where I need to be. You are a ray of hope for many people, it seems :)

Congrats on the job! So glad to hear there are still people in the world willing to give a second chance. I hope mine is waiting for me after I muddle through all this muck now go out there and show the world we DO recover!

I haven't even begun to look for work yet as I'm a recent graduate that is starting off with stipulations and possibly a disciplined license for a misdemeanor drug conviction from 1999. Yes, 1999!! I guess I'm awaiting the final decision and then will have my lawyer see what he can do to fight it, but I'm concerned every day that I may never find work and this is all for nothing. I just want to say that I wish you all the best of luck, and I hope that God places in your path the perfect opportunity for you at the perfect time. I've been clean for 13 years and spent much of that time desperately trying to forgive myself and give myself the respect I deserve. I've finally come to the realization that the only person who doesn't respect me is ME! And I'm tired of that so I've decided to finally forgive myself...I mean darn! I'm only human! And I'm not the first person to have made mistakes! Maybe some just don't get caught I may never work where I want to or work at all, but no one can take away the fact that I have done the next right thing for some time now and worked hard every day to string some days of recovery together. All I have is today though and I'm exactly where God wants me to be and I have no idea what he has in store for my future! I wish you all so much love and blessings and pray, pray, pray that there is a place for all of you!

IrishIzRN-I'm surprised to hear that about your brother. Maybe because he doesn't have a drug charge. I honestly think that it is worse than violent crimes in their eyes. The PA BON has just in the last months made this policy that if you've ever been convicted under drug and cosmetic act you aren't eligible for VRP. The woman who evaluated me said she almost quit over my case because I didn't even need to be monitored. But how can they not monitor you and make you go into DMU? Theyre even saying they probably will only monitor me for a yesr (because i dont actually fit the criteria to be monitored) She wouldn't sign my eval for that reason. I have spoken with an attorney (also have 2 other attorneys given to me by my evaluator and my PNAP case manager). This is so new they need some time to figure out how to proceed. If anyone has any other suggestions of what I could do, I'm open. I wouldn't mind research or non-clinical work if I had to. How can I get there? I'm so lost...

Even with a pardon? Will licensing boards still have access to that info??

Thanks for your reply. I am aware that they will all ask about it. Just curious if they will treat it as harshly. I would stand on my head and wear a continual censor detecting drug use if they wanted me to, just to have a clean license. I may also be able to obtain a pardon by the time I ask for a medical license. I'm very frustrated that no length of time seems to be enough for these misdemeanors to stop haunting me! No second chances in PA. A licensed nurse diverting narcotics is not treated as harshly as I have after being clean 13 years!

Hi all, I've posted a few times about my fight with the PA BON. They want me to go into DMU for misdemeanor drug charges, both in 1999. Exemplary record after that. It seems the licensing boards are not as tough on MD's from my limited experience. I'm considering med school. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I graduated first in my class, have always thought about being a doctor, but nursing is obviously less schooling, although I planned to become a FNP eventually. My charges would be more than 20 years old by the time I apply for a license. You would think nearly 15 years is enough for the BON but they recently changed their way of handling cases like mine. Drug charge=DMU, no matter what. Archaic. I'm also considering licensing in other states, I live close to ny and nj. They both also appear more forgiving, offering things like a certificate of rehabilitation that basically prevents anyone from holding such old crimes against you. Any thoughts anyone?

Awh, Sharon--I wish you lots of luck!! It baffles me that the very establishment that calls addiction a disease seems to treat it as a moral defect. I haven't even begun to look for work or had permission to take my boards until I have met some requirements. After 13 years, 3 kids, running a business with my husband, and being a full time nursing student I wasn't attending meetings very often and that was not acceptable to the board. I think it boils down to they just couldn't let me practice free and clear knowing I have a history. Hopefully I can find work somewhere that will meet their approval and plug through these years ahead of me. I knew it would be hard work but a small part of me thought they would see who I am today, not who I was 14 years ago! I hope that any potential employers will see who you are today!!

Thanks everyone for the advice. There is a small glimmer of hope-I got a call today that they seem to have decided to offer me the VRP program. That's huge then as I won't start with a tainted license. I also spoke to the woman who did my eval, who emphatically states she did not sign it nor would she have said I needed monitoring. I think it boils down to they are just scared to allow me to practice freely with my history, no matter how many years ago it was. And I have to accept that. It is good news though if they allow me to do this voluntarily. It will be a pain in the butt and expensive, but I feel slightly more hopeful knowing that in the end my license will be clean. It was devastating to think of going through all their requirements and STILL having a mark, before I even begin. God has a purpose for me and I don't think he would have led me down this road so successfully if He didn't have a purpose in mind! Just figuring out what it is!!! I appreciate all your support and hope to continue to talk with others in similar situations!

Oh, I didn't mean too late in terms of eligibility for pardon, I mean that even if I got it pardoned now it wouldn't change the way the board views my situation. Cats already out of the bag, so to speak! It is definitely something I'm working on with my attorney!

It's true PA is tough. They don't know me and even though I was young when I made foolish mistakes, I was still an adult. I get very frustrated that I seemingly have to pay for those mistakes forever, but I try to remember there are plenty of other people who did not make the same mistakes I did. And honestly, had I not gone through what I did, I probably wouldn't be where I am today. I graduated first in my class and dream of being a stellar nurse, caring for people and changing lives. I may never have the opportunity to do this in critical care and I have to accept that. God has a plan to use my gifts so I need to get out of the way. Do I wish I didn't have this blemish? Yes. Can I change it? No. Accept the things I cannot change....still, for a community that labels addiction as a disease, they sure treat it like a moral defect. Even after several years of recovery, it seems. But again, they don't 'know' me. I was hopeful they would see the accomplishments for what they mean to me.