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Another thing to consider is that every professional license you apply for asks if you have ever had discipline on another license. There's very few things you can do without a professional license. I'm so disgusted by the power tripping Nazi BON's who force us into unilateral contracts of adhesion (IPN =Ineptly Pernicious Nags) with no objective criteria for terms of completed performance. I decided to go to law school. We all have to start standing up to bullies that criminalize mental health issues and permanently ruin our lives. Involuntary manslaughter can get expunged as a criminal offense but not a BON disciplinary action for smoking a joint 25 years ago. That black stain lives on Nursys for your great grandkids to see after you've been dead 40 years. Legislatures and state governors are going to be forced to pay attention and provide oversight to this unbelievably atrocious abuse of power or there are going to be no nurses left to take care of their crusty butts when they hit 80 and crap their bed. Rant over ?

I was reading through these comments and I totally identified with this thread. I am in law school too, if the other poster in law school is still around, and/or any of you who discussed getting together to compare notes on a non- public forum. I still have nightmares about the Florida BON and the IPN after 29 years. I was naive in my early 20's when I encountered that tribunal. I surrendered my license there 25 or so years ago. The surrender is disciplinary action on Nursys and TO THIS DAY some employers like travel nurse agencies refuse to hire me. I was going to tutor as a side gig me, they hired me and then revoked the offer after they got my background check. It has nothing on it except disciplinary action on a professional license. I have been working as an RN for 6-7 years since I became licensed in my current state. The BON here investigated me very thoroughly and granted an unencumbered multistate license. So I am permitted to work in Florida under the compact?? The BON said I could on the phone when I asked how that worked.. I don't believe them. But my entire family lives in Florida and I would love to pick up a short contract down there once a year. I also have licenses in 5 states outside the compact (which were a b**ch to get in some states, but others had no qualms once I provided an explanation) Still, the eternal Florida Nursys discipline warns that I'm a nurse-criminal, although I've been safely practicing as an ED nurse and flight nurse since 2014 —outside of Florida. Some states have passed rules that eliminate disciplinary action after a certain number of years; But in Florida that record remains, "protecting the public" even after we're dead. Our ancestors can look it up. But Joe Felony got his record expunged 10 years ago A lawyer I spoke to said if I go back to FL and ask for a license reinstatement they may refer me back to the IPN,, but he said he knew some addictionologists that didn't refer nurses to their own kickback treatment centers. Other Florida attorneys know about various problems, and a lot of us believe there is something at LEAST unethical about a BON who act as the accusers, investigators, indictors, judges, and sentencers in every case they hear. The Florida Governor is supposed to oversee admin. agencies, but he seems to have a personal non-interference policy. We could write to the legislature or administrative law committee and request rule changes and increased safeguards. That may be effective if there are enough nurses presenting grievances. Even anonymous complaints for fear of "backlash" from the Board would illustrate the widespread suspicion that nurses' free speech isn't as free as it should be. I can speak out about the FL BON and IPN freely and so can nurses in other states, if we can gather evidence, share experiences, and decide what to say. So, If any of you did ever get together, let me know how to get in touch. I'd love to rant and join our brain power. There is at least one other group of nurses with the same concerns gathered across other states - I won't post the name here-but I know they would love for more nurses to join the party If we're going to complain, this is the time— with so many nurses leaving the profession we might finally get someone's attention!

I am not familiar with PA's program, but I do know the IPN in Florida. You have a choice to enter into a contract- that is not negotiable and is 3-5 years of meetings and calling a number every morning to see if you are required to be tested- or being reported to the Board of Nursing who will suspend your license until you go through the IPN or revoke it. I don't see this as a real choice, and I wish there were other alternatives such as Ketamine therapy with your own licensed psychiatrist and therapy with your own therapist. Or deep brain stimulation, transcranial stimulation, etc. Being in a 5 year program is soul crushing to some and life/ career saving for others. I'm glad the program you're in doesn't degrade you. Thank you for sharing this- I have more hope for alternative programs and tend to get tunnel vision on the negative.

I live in a small town and there's 5 people that go to AA meetings and we all know who they are. LOL. Assume the worst- that some nurse where you work will assume you are a no good, lousy addict, and if you act sleepy, forget to scan a narc, or give them any reason to report you, ever, they may. I would go online and maintain anonymity.

I wonder how many nurses have been disciplined for being under the influence while doing patient care? The IPN in Florida is just as bad as what you are describing. AA and NA were SO destructive for me. By the way, the Supreme Court ruled that making a 12-step group mandatory with no secular alternative violated First Amendment rights under the Establishment Clause- Also, lawyers took issue with being asked personal questions about mental health on their applications for the Bar Exam. Now that is considered a violation of the ADA and there is a movement against those types of questions called "Ban the Box" My personal opinion about 12 step groups and "powerlessness" -once an addict always an addict- and all the other things that "the program" teaches- is that it cannot work for everyone. Meanwhile the things that are proving to help depression and anxiety like Ketamine are a big no-no! God forbid that shows up in a hair test that is ordered by the Board. To get over addiction, depression, or whatever crap life throws at you, you can't be powerless. You have to be a hero in your own life- pick up your sword- and with your friends and family at your side and slay the dragon. Just my humble opinion... and soapbox.

I quit my NP Program because I realized this 25 year old mistake is never going away. Soooo- I applied to law school and got accepted. I am six months in now and I LOVE it. It's hard work but not as hard as nursing. When I graduate I am going to do some serious nursing license defense. ?.

I had 3 years in an ER which is what the job requirements wanted. Basically because for my job we are making sure patients don’t have anything life threatening going on and can wait for an appointment.

I don’t have an answer to your question but I just want to say I have the utmost respect for you medics. You handle everything. And your pay and working conditions are awful. Good luck- (former flight nurse who knows how ba-a** you are)

Thank you for your kindness. My son is almost 30 now and has a 2-year-old and another on the way! Yes, NP=Nurse practitioner and DEA is Drug Enforcement Agency. You have to be checked out by them to get prescriptive privileges as a nurse practitioner.

I had disciplinary action (voluntary surrender after diversion with intent to commit suicide) against my license 20 plus years ago. I’m licensed now (for 6 years) through compact state and just entered FNP school. I’m getting worried that I won’t be able to get licensed as an NP or get through DEA requirements. Is anyone else in NP school with previous discipline?

I was referred to the IPN in Florida after I “diverted” (I call it steal) drugs to commit suicide. My sons father had taken him and wouldn’t return him. He was 3 years old. Their family was super-rich. He was emotionally abusive too. Anyway, I planned to kill myself because I was so down and hopeless about life and getting my son back. Long story, but I didn’t die! I reported myself to the hospital and went into IPN. I got the help I needed outside the program through counseling. AA and NA meetings just made me want to drink- all the talk about alcohol. And I didn’t really drink before. Drug screens, IPN monitoring fees. I was going broke too. I decided to go to seminary and was accepted. IPN said no. I can’t leave the state. I decided I didn’t want to do all this for 5 years and relinquished my license. It’s messed up my nursing career forever. No one cares how long it’s been (over 20 years) and no I haven’t gotten UDS’s for the past 20 years. I am in school for my NP and am wondering what hell I’ll encounter to get my DEA license.

I got a multistate license after the BON investigated me (extensively) after charges in another state. Since the state I am in is part of the compact it was automatic I think. I’m actually confused about how that works.

Hey all, we sometimes talk about how nurses tend to be angry, resentful, and "eat their young" and we blame it on abuses we feel from patients and visitors. But, what about the the institutions that make money off our labor? How is what we do different than (financially speaking) Sweat Shop Labor? Patients become an assembly line we become focused on processing. Disruptions in our work flow are a menace, and we are irritable at the patient in 119 who wants ice in his water. Healthcare is about making money. Nurses are the gears and the oil. We martyr our selves for what we think is caring for people. But the institutions use our willingness to work our feet and hearts to the bone for financial profit. Sometimes I think we would be better off making iPhones in China. At least we wouldn't feel guilty about all the times we've neglected to be kind to a suffering human being because we are too busy.

Believe it or not. My dad coded this morning and they brought him back. He's on a vent with pressers going. So I'm heading down to Florida. Let my manager know and she said we would talk about my future when I got back. I don't expect my dad will make it more than a day or two at the most. And yeah, I'm not usually a ****magnet. Lol. That actually put a smile on my face in the midst of all this. Thanks all.

I am a new hire in an ED and have had the following things happen in the past two months GI problem /diarrhea. Missed 1 day Hit a deer. Missed 1 day and got an apartment close to work so it wont happen again Started menses 2 weeks early and was bleeding very heavily with clots. In ER where I work now being seen. Finally during the Irma hurricane my Dad was in the hospital and got evacuated and my Mom is a total care at home so I was coordinating their care and had to switch a day at work. I am on orientation so staff hasn't been short. But I'm concerned I will be let go because of all this. Any advice on what to tell the next possible employer or how to salvage my position?