reinstated license after suspension

clee1 · May 29, 2006

IN 2 weeks I will be getting my nursing license returned after 1 year of suspension and 1 year of probation. I have been unable to get a nursing or nurse aid job during this 2 years. I have completed all of the board's requirements and I am looking for some direction of who, where I may get a chance to "start over". My license was suspended for diversion. That difficult time is behind me, I just don't know where to start ...I would appreciate any help.

Will your license be "clean" or will it still show a previous suspension?

If so, you might try a field where no narcs are given for awhile; like camp or school nursing.

TazziRN, RN · May 29, 2006

First off, congrats for making it through a difficult two years. Are you still in a board mandated recovery program? If yes, this will be both a help and a hindrance. The best thing you can do is be honest in your interviews, and be able to talk about what kind of recovery program you have: sponsor, relapse prevention plan, determination to go to meetings, etc. Be open to anything the prospective employer might want: random screens, spot checks on your narc access, etc. Good luck.

Emergency RN · May 29, 2006

Your plight is not that unusual. If you ever look up the reasons for state nursing licensure suspensions, the primary cause is for diversion of narcotics. The real interesting thing about it is that just about all nurses genuinely believed that they were too smart to be caught. Like Clee1 suggested, you really need to find a position that has zero contact with any narcotics. Else you'll find yourself back with the same problems and instead of a suspension, you'll be revoked. Take the advice and work in an area where you can gain your emotional strength back. I wish you continued success in your personal and professional recovery.

Ralph

SilentfadesRPA · May 29, 2006

Is having a subtance abuse problem/diagnosis with a successful treatment not recognized as having a disablity recognized by the federal government ?

I wish you well -- take it one day at a time -- show up and keep your head up -- be proud you have come a long way.

Marc

LoriAlabamaRN · May 29, 2006

My very best advice is to get a job not involving narcotics, even if youo are not the one giving them. I worked with a nurse who had recently gotten her license back after diverting, and she simply had a restriction where she could not be the one giving the narcs. She ended up stealing the sharps containers and taking them home where she cut them open and stole the wasted narcs.

She's a waitress now.

bclily · May 29, 2006

Thanks... for the encouragement. I will share my experience on the job hunt so that may help someone in the future.

Trauma Columnist · May 29, 2006

I want to wish you the best - please let us know how its going.

As to above poster who asked about substance abuse and disability - at least in IL - we put an end to substance abuse being a ticket to SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). While I truly believe that substance abuse and addiction are true illness, it is not something that is permanent unless you want it to be.

ZASHAGALKA, RN · May 29, 2006

There were two threads ongoing at the same time. I am just reposted my comments in the other thread here:

IF your license is being fully re-instated: I KNOW you don't HAVE to tell prospective employers about the horrible last 2 yrs; but I would.

I wouldn't for every employer down the road, but this first one is going to need to help you 'ease' back into nursing, including an orientation period.

Maybe not with EVERY interview, but I'd try being frank about your situation w/ a FEW of them.

That is the crux of the problem, isn't it? You will apparently have a license for years and yet, you need a more extensive orientation. How do you explain that away? Well, I'd try being honest.

I think many employers don't want to deal w/ the restrictions of a diversion program. But, you are about to be off that program. Surely, some employer will give you chance.

Maybe I'm naive, but it can't hurt to try it on at least a few of your job interviews.

~faith,

Timothy.

NurseyTonyaLPN · May 29, 2006

I don't have any advice because I don't really know about this situation, but I wish you luck and I'm glad you have put your difficult times behind you and are getting your life and nursing career back where it should be. Tonya

Jo Dirt · May 29, 2006

My very best advice is to get a job not involving narcotics, even if youo are not the one giving them. I worked with a nuruse who had recently gotten her license back after diverting, and she simply had a restriction where she could not be the one giving the narcs. She ended up stealing the sharps containers and taking them home where she cut them open and stole the wasted narcs.
She's a waitress now.

Funny, after being being on-call and living a nightmare this past weekend, I found myself thinking of becoming a waitress...

Nurse Ratched, RN · May 29, 2006

Just more wishes for your continued success - congratulations on getting through your program. I hope you get the opportunity you're looking for.