I am writing this post because I feel there a lot of Registered Nurses who have received license discipline out there who feel like they have no where to turn.
In the year 2007 I recieved a public reprimand with no restrictions, and with no stipulations. I made a charting transcription/documentation error on a controlled substance that I recieved no help or direction on from my leadership to help me fix. I was a nurse for just over a year, who had been out on maternity leave and therefore because it was longer than a year that I technically had graduated, I did not qualify for prep program. Nonetheless it is done with now, and nothing can be done to change it. I am in the Healthcare Databank because I recieved a reprimand.
I am an Emergency Room Nurse, that it still working, and I hold two jobs in local ER's. I am also in an RN - BSN program that I am one year away from completing. I am an Honors student.
I am continuing on to obtain my APRN -in Mental Health and become a holistic practitioner. I REFUSE to let an action that was a mistake define me. I refuse to give up and take what is just given to me like it was some kind of "leftover". There is absolutely no support or statistics found on the web regarding nurses who are reprimanded and their career prospects. yes, I have to explain my mistake at EVERY interview, but I find that ALL nurses and management are VERY supportive and understanding. There are just a few jobs I have not been successful in making it past HR, but mainly the problem in employment is moreso because I have an 2 year ADN and not a BSN. (soon this will change and I will have my bachelors). I plan on heading to Graduate school for my DNP. I have contacted some schools and because my license in not encumbered, I am ok to attend the program. I do have to submit an extra letter to explain my error, but nothing to much out of the way.
Everything in nursing has been possible for me, including obtaining my Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner credential. Most things I have had to do an extra step such as an explanation, but not ususally much more.
I want others to not look at this as a limitation, but something that helps you narrow down your life purpose and what you are meant to do and who you are meant to work for. I am a recent trauma survivor, and I have overcome so very much in my life, and I plan on using my experiences to give others hope. There are many many patients out there that need hope and inspiration, and If I am the nurse that gets to do it, then what a privilege it is for me to know and take care of that patient. To show them that they should never ever give up on their dreams, and just because life hands you some pretty extenuating circumstances, these do NOT define you. Look at them as a direction to help you get to the path you are meant to be on sooner. I am still a Registered Nurse, with full rights to practice. I have a public reprimand. I am aware of it, and there is nothing I can do about it. But use it to my advantage.
Keep Working and keep striving for your dreams. Don't quit just becuase it is a little harder for you than others. Be proud of all you have been through and help others in a similar situation. BE THE CHANGE. A reprimanded nurse - knows how blessed she is to be one.
