RN starting probation

I am waiting for approval for my stipulated settlement at this time. I, too, have the same questions. Have you gone for the mental health exam or physical exam yet? If so, what were the costs? I believe the 6 month rehabilitation involves only 1 aa and 1 nurse support group per week unless you were deemed an "addict" from the mental health exam. Please keep me updated because I am anxious of the unknown as well. Good luck.

I have just start my probation about 3 weeks ago, the process sucks pretty bad honestly. It takes about 1- 1 1/2 years after applying for your license for the process to go all the way through and to get your licesne but Ive heard the BRN is hiring more agents to do this probation stuff so hopefully the process will be faster.I spent about 5k on a lawyer hoping I could avoid probation or at least speed up the process but i wasnt able to avoid probation but it did speed up the process a bit but the lawyer wont be necessary if your case isnt assigned to the Attorney General's office, so basically, on probation you will have to do drug testing including testing for alcohol for 3 years so get ready to be sober, you do a few drug tests a month which cost anywhere from $60-100, the BRN charges $62.50 to process the test plus what the collection site charges which mine charges $20. My nurse support groups cost me $40/month, and the mental health and physical I still have to do but i dont think those will be cheap. Any chemical dependency is outpatient only they will not make you check into a rehab or anything. Good luck every one, the process sucks but its life and we have to deal with it. Any questions feel free to ask

Please update about the cost of mental health and physical. I am curious to know.

Do you owe them anything for the whole revocation, stayed and reinstated situation? I was offered probation and signed the paperwork but I am now waiting for the board to give me an effective date. I was informed that they will let me know how much I owe them and could do a payment plan. I only have 1-14. So I still have to do the mental health exam and possibly counseling if recommended. Such a money scam.

Hi LosAngelesRN

I am about to start my probation on September 4th. I am of course extremely nervous and any updates on how it is going for you would be SO appreciated. Where in LA did you find professionals to do the mental/physical exams? I have heard that the board is very picky who they approve for this and it is very costly. I have been sober since my DUI (which I won't lie, was serious--my BAC was very high), but I have been sober since the incident in January 2014. I have attended AA on a regular basis since the incident, currently attend once a week, have a sponsor and I am part of Kaiser program (I have a paper trail of EVERYTHING-proof of all of this)--I attend a Kaiser sobriety group once a week and also meet with my Kaiser Pysch counselor for one on one sessions on a monthly basis. I have been a part of this KP group for over 7 months. All the counselors there would attest to my sobriety. I have been employed since this happened and my work even gave me a promotion KNOWING what happened. They have been beyond supportive and are able to see that what I did is not who I am. That being said, I will most likely not be able to work there after probation starts because my title is too high. Although I don't supervise RNs, I mainly do paperwork, IDTs etc, my job description states I do so I'm screwed. There is a possibility that my work will try to change my title so I can keep the position but I can't expect them to change company policies on my behalf. I am in contact with my old employer who is working to see if they have a position available that meets the criteria of the board (trust me, not a moment goes by that I am not grateful that these people have faith in me. I know I am VERY fortunate in that aspect) but again, nothing is promised. I am very concerned about the 6 month rehabilitation program because if I am working, going to AA, going to group and I'm assuming have to start a nursing support group too, I don't know how I'm going to manage it all while going to outpatient (?) rehab. Also, is it required that you work for the full time of your probation? It's implied that it may only be 6 months of probation but you know how it is trusting anything you read/hear. And how are the random drug screens going? Are they a quick process--like I can manage them while working too?

I'm so scared and preparing for the worst. I know this is all because of my poor decisions but it is a never ending nightmare. If you have any advice, particularly who to go to in LA for those exams, or any advice/heads up about anything at all, I'm more than interested.

I honestly hope things are going well for you!