S.O.S. California RN's on probation: Please HELP!

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Hi Everyone,

I need help. I'm in the process of wrapping up my licensing negotiations and starting probation and I need suggestions on where you have gotten the Mental and Physical Exams done. I was told that I need to choose a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant for the physical and that the mental health exam should be performed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or other licensed mental health practitioner.

I'm wondering if people chose their primary MD, went to a place that does occupational health exams, or other and I'm not really sure on how to go about selecting someone for the Mental Health Exam. Before I came to an agreement with the BON I was seen by a licensed marriage and family therapist/registered addiction specialist and had an evaluation done and am wondering if that might me acceptable.

Please any suggestions or steer in the right direction, thanks!

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Hi there! I just want to say you are not alone my friend! I just got my license here in CA and am on probation as well... it is the worst. I swear I am permanently dehydrated from all the tears I have shed over this process. The process is not only extremely time consuming but extremely expensive as well unfortunately.

Anyways back to your question...I literally just scheduled my mental and physical health exam today and I can tell you that the BRN is extremely specific on who they will allow you to see. I tried to go to kaiser's chemical dependency department to find a specialist and they would not take me because they did not have anyone specialized enough to meet the requirements of the BRN (mainly the stipulation that "the evaluator has to have 3 years experience working with health care professionals w addictions" was what they were finding to be most troublesome). So I got in touch with some people from my nursing suppport group (I'm assuming you have to attend those too) and they referred me to a private specialist who lives about an hour away from me. Everyone in my group has gone to this guy because it is so difficult to find anyone else who can do it (hence why I am driving an hour away to see him). The HUGE downside to this is he charges $500 for these services. Yea... I almost died when I heard that number. But it is what it is. Where do you live? Bay area by chance? If so I can give you the name of this doctor.

The last thing I can tell you is be sure you submit the pre-approval paperwork if you are even slightly unsure of the person you are seeing because you don't want to fork out money only to find out the BRN wont accept that persons evaluation!

Hopefully this helps!

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Hi there! I just want to say you are not alone my friend! I just got my license here in CA and am on probation as well... it is the worst. I swear I am permanently dehydrated from all the tears I have shed over this process. The process is not only extremely time consuming but extremely expensive as well unfortunately.

Anyways back to your question...I literally just scheduled my mental and physical health exam today and I can tell you that the BRN is extremely specific on who they will allow you to see. I tried to go to kaiser's chemical dependency department to find a specialist and they would not take me because they did not have anyone specialized enough to meet the requirements of the BRN (mainly the stipulation that "the evaluator has to have 3 years experience working with health care professionals w addictions" was what they were finding to be most troublesome). So I got in touch with some people from my nursing suppport group (I'm assuming you have to attend those too) and they referred me to a private specialist who lives about an hour away from me. Everyone in my group has gone to this guy because it is so difficult to find anyone else who can do it (hence why I am driving an hour away to see him). The HUGE downside to this is he charges $500 for these services. Yea... I almost died when I heard that number. But it is what it is. Where do you live? Bay area by chance? If so I can give you the name of this doctor.

The last thing I can tell you is be sure you submit the pre-approval paperwork if you are even slightly unsure of the person you are seeing because you don't want to fork out money only to find out the BRN wont accept that persons evaluation!

Hopefully this helps!

The provider I found is $900!! And $500 sounds a lot better to me, do u mind sharing the info with me? Thanks!!

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Sorry for the late response! I went to ----------------- in Concord. He is making me do a chemical 28 day dependency program.. Which sucks.. But whatever. Other than that he had good things to say about me to the BRN so I didn't get too bad of an evaluation from him. If you are running out of time and haven't done your exams yet you can ask your probation monitor for an extension. From what I understand they are pretty accommodating in that sense.. I was granted an extra month cause mine was taking so long.

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The provider I found is $900!! And $500 sounds a lot better to me, do u mind sharing the info with me? Thanks!!

Sorry I don't think I replied directly to your comment, just wanted to reply properly so you would get notification. I went to --------------- in Concord.

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Great info, I am in same boat and have actually postponed taking my exam 2 years. I wanted to get my foot in as an LVN with an unrestricted license first to better my chances with references and experiences. I have been working for over a year. My question is , can you start all the requirement in the agreement BEFORE you pass your test? or only after. I also may be moving to NYC to work as a LPN but am curious as to whether I should apply there for RN ( i know I have to disclose the stipulation though). I am hoping they may be more lenient and allow me to practice. My only concern is if I move and work as a LVN and pas my CA board there I don't think the probation starts till I come back to California. I need insurance to pay for some of the things so I want to start now. I just don't wan't to pass boards here, move, then not have the assets to start the process. I don't mind all the drug testing and classes but I know it's expensive and time consuming. Any thoughts on starting now?

Thanks for the input.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

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How can I get the name of the provider in Concord if it's not allowed to be posted here? Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
How can I get the name of the provider in Concord if it's not allowed to be posted here? Thanks in advance.

Hello samaria21

You will have to find out this information from other resources.

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Hi tootsies14,

You can't start the probation requirements until everything is settled with the Board. If you do, they will NOT recognize it as completed and you will have to redo it. I took my test July 2014 and it took almost a year from that point to receive my license and start probation. I was able to negotiate the probation by having a lawyer, which is part of why it took so long. Once I signed the agreement in March 2015 it took several months to hear back from them letting me know that if I passed the NCLEX my license would post on Breeze in June and if I failed I would get a letter in the mail. I did pass and then was able to contact the probation department to meet with my monitor and begin the initial requirements of completing the Board ordered evaluations (they give you 45 days to complete them from when your license went into effect). And yes, your probation will be put on hold until you return to California. Also, you will not be able to use your insurance for the evaluations. I had to pay out of pocket. I don't know whether you can use insurance for any of the rehabilitation treatments or the random urine tests. My guess is no. My monitor let me know that if I required those it would be extremely costly and some nurses surrender their license because it's too financially and emotionally burdensome. I was able to get a "rule out" clause in my agreement, meaning that if the doctors evaluating me for the Board "rule out" substance abuse disorders then I will not have to participate in the Board's treatment programs. So, I'm not positive on the other associated costs.

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Hi Aemrick0421, BSN, RN,

It looks like you started the probation process sometime in March. Mine is beginning in September and ANY heads up about anything regarding probation would be much appreciated! You know how terrifying it is entering these un-chartered waters and I know every case is different, but if there's any advice or hope or reality check you can give about anything, it would be so appreciated!!

I hope things are going okay for you! hang in there!

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Hi tootsies14,

You can't start the probation requirements until everything is settled with the Board. If you do, they will NOT recognize it as completed and you will have to redo it. I took my test July 2014 and it took almost a year from that point to receive my license and start probation. I was able to negotiate the probation by having a lawyer, which is part of why it took so long. Once I signed the agreement in March 2015 it took several months to hear back from them letting me know that if I passed the NCLEX my license would post on Breeze in June and if I failed I would get a letter in the mail. I did pass and then was able to contact the probation department to meet with my monitor and begin the initial requirements of completing the Board ordered evaluations (they give you 45 days to complete them from when your license went into effect). And yes, your probation will be put on hold until you return to California. Also, you will not be able to use your insurance for the evaluations. I had to pay out of pocket. I don't know whether you can use insurance for any of the rehabilitation treatments or the random urine tests. My guess is no. My monitor let me know that if I required those it would be extremely costly and some nurses surrender their license because it's too financially and emotionally burdensome. I was able to get a "rule out" clause in my agreement, meaning that if the doctors evaluating me for the Board "rule out" substance abuse disorders then I will not have to participate in the Board's treatment programs. So, I'm not positive on the other associated costs.

Good info, I may enter into a stipulated agreement for 2 duis. I think they are giving me 1-19. How did your lawyer set up the "clause" anything else I should ask my lawyer to do? The probation will be 5 years but I am hoping to petition for early termination. I already attend AA but my work schedule conflicts with the Nurse Support Group meetings so I don't think I can go to those. How many days a week do they require? I already had a Psych eval which was helpful in the boards decision. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I am so happy to have got a good decision. I made mistakes.....never again

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