campus64

Alright people I appreciate all of the advice and input. I also want to clarify that I've been in complete compliance with the BON and my probationary terms. I haven't been in any trouble with the board or law. I would be voluntarily suspending my license so that I don't have to continue these terms for the 4 years that I'm in college. The terms are expensive and time consuming, which is something that I can't afford to do while in school. From the responses I see that I didn't go into my situation in-depth enough. From age 18-21 I got into a bit of trouble (underage consumptions and a DUI). Anyways, when I was 22 years old I decided that I wanted to be a nurse. I enrolled at a community college and got my LPN. I was accepted into the program even though I have a record. All of my charges occurred BEFORE I got my license and enrolled in college. I haven't been in trouble once (not even a speeding ticket) since I've had my LPN. After I graduated, the BON made me see a drug evaluation counselor and he said that I was an alcoholic in remission. Due to this I was required by the BON to sign and follow a consent agreement (this took about 6 months). The terms of the consent agreement were that I can't do home health care, I have to have random drug and alcohol tests, and attend 1 AA meeting per week. I have to do this for one year AFTER being employed. So while I've been looking for a job I have to follow these terms and then I have to continue them for 1 year AFTER I become employed. The job market right now in my area is extremely saturated with LPN's (I live in Cleveland and there are a lot of Nursing Schools in the area). Friends that I've graduated with that have nothing on their record even had trouble finding a job. Anyways, it's been 1.5 years since I've graduated and I can't find a job for the life of me. I'm fairly sure that the DON sees my disciplinary record and throws my application in the trash. I've tried everywhere remotely close in the area, and I've only been called in for an interview once. I talked to my monitoring agent and she also told me that the LPN's she's monitoring are having a tough time finding a job as well. I asked her if she thought I would have an easier time finding a job with my BSN and she said absolutely. It also helps that I know people that could at least get me an interview (I know a HR manager at the Cleveland Clinic). My monitoring agent told me that it shouldn't hurt me if I put a temporary suspension on my license and probationary terms. They would obviously follow me once I become a RN...but I honestly don't think the consent agreement is what's hurting me finding a job. It's my record with the law. By the time I graduate with a BSN I'll be 29 years old, and I won't have anything on my record for 8 years. My plan would be to enroll at at a University and work as a PCNA (similar to a STNA) at the Cleveland Clinic (or University Hospitals) and hopefully get hired in as a RN once I graduate. I'm confident that if I got hired as a PCNA while enrolled in college that I could get a job. I'm a competent nurse with references from all of my previous clinical instructors. I have good character and I generally get along with everybody. People like working with me and being around me. Like I said earlier...I haven't been in trouble in quite awhile (and not while I've ever been licensed by the state) and by the time I graduate it will have been 8 years since I've been in any trouble with the law. I would LOVE to get my probationary terms out of the way before I start going to school to get my BSN...but they don't begin until I am employed as an LPN for 1 year. And I can't find a job as a LPN. I absolutely can't. I've tried everything and everywhere. Once again, any input would be appreciated. Thanks! p.s - I plan to start over as a freshman, only testing out of english and math classes. I'm not doing a bridge program because they require you to be employed for 1 year before you begin.

Hey everybody....first time poster, long time lurker. Currently I'm in a tough situation because I have my LPN but I can't find a job ANYWHERE. I've turned in over 100 applications. I think it's because the market in my area is extremely saturated with LPN's (along with my disciplinary problems from the past). I've decided that I want to pursue my BSN degree. My mind is 100% set on doing this. I've talked to my monitoring agent with the Board of Nursing to put my license on suspension along with my monitoring (drug tests & AA meetings). I have NOT signed the consent agreement and I was wondering what you guys thought about this. Will putting my license on suspension hurt my chances of finding employment as a RN? I know that once I graduate and get my BSN that I'll have to start from step 1 again with my consent agreement - which I'm fine with. I'm just worried that future potential employees may see that I had a suspended license in the past and hold that against me. If anybody could give me ANY advice I'd appreciate it. p.s - I'm starting all over as a freshman. I plan on testing out of my english and math classes or having my credits transfer over. I can't do a LPN-BSN bridge program because they require you to have 1 year experience as a LPN.