re-entry after years away need advice

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I voluntarily surrendered my license after diverting drugs and moved into another industry. I want to re-instate my license. It's been several years. The NH BON wants me to send a letter of explanation. I have a letter explaining what happened and what I've been doing since. How much is too much? Any experience on what I should include? They will vote on whether or not I can start the re-entry process and what hoops I will have to jump through. Also, anyone know if there's a chance I can get the action taken off my license at some point? I'm in TX now.

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Specializes in Telephonic and Addictions Nursing.

I would give them as much documentation as possible. If you can get letters of reference that will help. If you completed treatment, send those records. Any drug tests as well. Good luck!

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In Texas you will have to show that you have been clean.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Women's Health, LTC.

I am in TX and I am just about done with everything. I was licensed originally in AZ and mine was revoked.

It is a long road but you can do it. I just received my proposed consent order two days ago.

I first took the refresher courses, because I had been out of nursing for many years, then I applied for endorsement, which sent my application to enforcement where an investigation was opened. That took MONTHS! Once the consent agreement is signed, they will send it back to endorsement where I will be issued a temp permit to finish the clinical portion of refresher, and I have been ordered to report to TPAPN. I have already done that, and I am awaiting a case manager to call me and complete the enrollment process. An evaluation will be required and I have been sending emails and making calls from their approved provider list. Let me tell you, it is NOT CHEAP. I will also have to pay a "fine" to the TPAPN program, as per order of the BON.

In my letter to the BON, I was honest and included letters from my sponsor, my current boss (non healthcare related) and a few friends. I also am friends with a couple licensed RN's and I had letters from them. Further, I sent proof of rehab and one year of aftercare counseling, from a therapist. I also sent in all documentation from AZ and the revocation.

I owned up to everything and did not make light of my alcoholism. I said what I have done to change that behavior and so far, it has worked out.

The process is a long one, but, it can be done. Start saving your pennies, it is A LOT of money!

Good luck!

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Specializes in Telephonic and Addictions Nursing.

I talked to a friend who had her license revoked. She had to prove she was clean for at least two years with random monthly drug tests. It took a long time but she did get her license back, fully reinstated.

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Thank you so much for the feedback and help. I am in the process of going through the Board in NH. I'm getting a lot of different information from them on the process because I live in TX now and they seem to be bit confused on how to handle the process. I understand though that it can be complicated. Does anyone know if I can get the action taken off my license at some point? Either annulled or I'm not sure what to call it. Are there programs or steps I can take to have it removed from public record or is it something that will always be there. If so, I am ok with that. It's part of my past, but after the re-entry is completed it would be nice to stop explaining it every time I apply for a job or apply for a school program etc... Thanks again for the feedback.

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Specializes in Telephonic and Addictions Nursing.

I’ll give you some bad news and then some good news.

Bad news: once you have action taken on your license most states will never let it fall off your record. My state even debated the topic and it was shot down. So there is no way I can ever have it come off. When you start back into nursing expect to have to explain anything on your license. I even practiced the story so I can demonstrate I’m not that guy anymore.

And the good news: The every day I got reinstated, I had call backs for interviews. When I did walked I kept my confidence. And what happened was either it didn’t matter to them after my story or it actually HELPED land offers. I had to select from several offers within 3 weeks. So while some employers might have looked down on me, they missed their chance at hiring an amazing nurse.

My suggestion is don’t even worry about working. Just put all your energy in getting your license back. When you get it back we can cross the next bridge with you!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Women's Health, LTC.
On 9/21/2019 at 10:45 AM, tracylj said:

Thank you so much for the feedback and help. I am in the process of going through the Board in NH. I'm getting a lot of different information from them on the process because I live in TX now and they seem to be bit confused on how to handle the process. I understand though that it can be complicated. Does anyone know if I can get the action taken off my license at some point? Either annulled or I'm not sure what to call it. Are there programs or steps I can take to have it removed from public record or is it something that will always be there. If so, I am ok with that. It's part of my past, but after the re-entry is completed it would be nice to stop explaining it every time I apply for a job or apply for a school program etc... Thanks again for the feedback.

If you plan to stay in Texas, don't even bother with NH. Like I explained, my ORIGINAL license was AZ, and now, I am about to have my TX one (with monitoring, of course, and a perm mark on my record), but I DID NOT have to go back to AZ.

On the other hand, if you are planning on going back to NH, then, yes, follow their orders.

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