Restrictions on my RN license.

RNwannbe · Sep 14, 2012

Hey folks. I am in my last year of nursing school. I will soon have my BSN/RN. The Texas BON has cleared me to sit for the licensing exam once I graduate,but with some stipulations. I got a DWI in 2008 and because of this the BON is making me take part in the TPAP or Texas Peer Assistance Program for the first two years of my career. Basically, for the first 6 months I will be unable to handle medication. For the 1 1/2 years after that I will be on continuous supervision, what ever that means. I don't have all the details yet, but I do know that I will be given drug screens, which is fine.

My question is this. With these restrictions being placed on my license, how difficult will it be for me to get hired in a hospital setting? Has anyone worked with a RN in a similar situation? Thanks.

LynnLRN · Sep 14, 2012

When I got hired after graduating I worked with multiple girls who had just graduated and got jobs and they had DUIs the key thing was they were very upfront and honest about it in the interview

kakamegamama · Sep 14, 2012

Shouldn't be a problem as long as you demonstrate evidence of following TPAP's regulations. Thankfully, the TX BON gives you the option and yes, the monitoring may become burdensome, but you and the patients will be better off for it. Wish you the best.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2012

I am going to go against the grain and say that finding employment might be challenging, if not extremely difficult, as a new nurse with a TPAPN order on your license. In this tough economic climate, many hospitals do not want to deal with the restrictions, so they instead opt to hire other candidates.

I have worked with many TPAPN nurses in settings such as nursing homes and rehab centers. However, the major hospitals generally shy away from hiring nurses with restrictions on their licensure.

demylenated, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2012

I agree with the commuter. You will more than likely have to get a more low key position. If you are at a fast paced hospital, they are not going to want to put a nurse who will not be able to handle meds on the floor. That is... dare I say... 85% of our job. You can't just "cover that" unless you bring in another nurse to work instead of you. Then, to supervise for 1.5 years, yikes. That is paying 2 nurses and getting 1 job done.

You will unfortunately be placed in front of a desk. MDSs, staffing and scheduling... such things as that.

I am almost positive you will be EXTREMELY hard pressed to get a regular staff job, especially in a hospital.

Do they not apply ANY of your time as a student toward this? I mean 4 years ago is a long time, assuming you've stayed out of trouble.

I wish you the best. I would do as much as I could as far as seeing if there is away to apply the time you've been in school toward it. I would even get an attorney to look over it. Sometimes they can get things "overlooked."

Good for you for taking your "punishment." We all have to learn, but this seems like excessive punishment AFTER the fact. A lot of maturity happens in 4 years. Especially during nursing school.

Good luck.

allnurses Guide · Sep 15, 2012

Hey all. I'm currently in my last year of Nursing school. Once I pass my licensing exam I will be a BSN/RN. However there is a catch. I received a DWI 5 years ago and the Texas Board of Nursing is forcing me to complete a 2 year probationary period before I'm actually 100% licensed. It's called TPAP, the Texas Peer Assistance Program. Basically for the first 6 months that I work as an RN I can't medicate patients. For the following 1 1/2 years I will be under supervision and have random drug screenings etc.
My question is this. How much of a problem will I have getting hired with these restrictions attached to my nursing license?
Thanks

You will find more information in the Nursing with a Criminal History forum and more support.

You can expect to have extreme difficulty finding a job, beyond the difficulty new grads are already having. There are just too many candidates who are fully licensed to choose from in the current economic environment here in Texas.

RNwannbe · Sep 16, 2012

Thanks for the responses everyone. I have a couple close family friends that are executives in two separate hospital systems in Houston. I didn't want to have to call in a favor, but it looks like I may need to. My clinical instructor says that my clinical site would hire me with no problem too. So I don't know what to expect. I've heard conflicting information. I can go online right now and probably find over a hundred RN jobs that need to be filled in my city alone. So I have a hard time believing that it will be extremely difficult to get hired. It may take a bit of determination but I'm persistent lol. Thanks again.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2012

Threads merged.

RNwannbe · Sep 17, 2012

Thanks. I'm also thinking about areas of nursing that doesn't involve administering meds. What about cardiac rehab nursing or any nursing more involved with physical therapy or fitness? Any thoughts?

rnmullen · Dec 12, 2012

Hello--

I live in Ohio and currently have a restricted license. Reason being is that prior to entering nursing school, I sought out counselling and admitted that I tried drugs and alcohol. Well, the psychologist interpreted that as me being an "addict". Mind you that I had no convictions of any kind on my record. I admitted to BON that I was previously treated for bipolar disorder in the past and I had to jump through a bunch of hoops. 2 years ago, I was coerced into signing a consent agreement which stated the following: 2 years probation (must be 2 years working), drug screens for AT LEAST 2 years 3 months (working), cannot be a supervisor, work home health, hospice...

Basically I interviewed at over 20 locations and all but 1 said "no way". My current position is in home health ironically, which I really, really love. Basically, I had a hell of a time finding a job. It took me a full year.

I really hope that Texas is better than Ohio's BON. Good luck to you and DON'T EVER GIVE UP!!!!!

demylenated, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2012

Thanks. I'm also thinking about areas of nursing that doesn't involve administering meds. What about cardiac rehab nursing or any nursing more involved with physical therapy or fitness? Any thoughts?

Can you not admin any medication or is it restricted to narcotic like drugs?? I've not really heard of them doing all of this simply with a dui. It usually has something to do with drugs. Amazing. Cardiac rehab I would think has a lot of needed medications. It sounds as if you made a good impression on your clinical site which is wonderful. If nothing else,perhaps they could give a letter of recommendation. If you get a LOR from them, each of your instructors, maybe the dean... that will be tremendously valuable to your resume.

When do you graduate? I know I'm bringing life back into this thread from September... lol. Have you had any more interest shown? Listen, I know how you feel about having to call in favors, BUT if they're there and with the situation... I think you ought to take advantage of it.

I wish you all the best. Please keep us updated.