Texas: Forensic Psych Evaluation with Polygraph

[75Gallons]

When I got the letter from Texas BON saying I had to submit to a Forensic Psych Evaluation with Polygraph, I searched these boards. I found a few posts but nothing about what it's like or how it ended. So I thought I would share my experience here.

I knew I had to submit a Declaratory order, so I started the process about the same time that I applied to the nursing program back in February. I got the letter to send in the $150 for further investigation, then the one saying I had to submit to the eval.

I searched these boards and the Internet. All I really found was a couple of lawyer websites saying not to submit to the eval, but to hire them. I had neither the time nor the money to hire a lawyer, so without any information, I called every provider on the list the BON sent and decided on a Psychiatrist and a Polygraph provider. Granted, I had to go with the least expensive ($1050.00), Dr. John Lehman and Joe McCarthy. I am so glad I did.

Mr. McCarthy, especially, did his best to calm my nerves and assure me that as long as I told the truth, I would be just fine. I had no reason to lie, so I was not concerned about that. Both men were reassuring and professional. Neither man was domineering or scary and both did their best to reassure me that I would be just fine if I told the truth.

Something no one tells you, the tests took all day. My appointment was at 9am and I finished at 4pm. You should grab something to eat in between, something else I didn't do. At the doctor, there was some face to face interviewing, which was not uncomfortable at all. Aftee that was about 2 and a half hours of written exams. After that, the doctor releases you to go to the polygraph. He did give me an idea of how he though I did before he sent me away.

Then the polygraph. Sure it was a bit daunting to be connected to a machine that registers every reaction of your body, but if you are being honest, you have nothing to fear. They also tell you their result before you leave.

I have not gotten the report back, but I am confident by the information from both professionals that they will be speaking to my honesty and integrity.

The next step is that they will submit their report to the BON and the director of the BON will decide whether or not I am fit to be a nurse. I pray that they will make a decision before class starts in just over three weeks, but I have already applied to spring semester in case they don't.

I am going to be a nurse. When I get that pin, I will know that I have literally paid my dues. Please feel free to ask questions.

[Juliecasteel]

Hi, I just received my order to have a psychiatric forensic evaluation with a polygraph. Everything is at least $1,800. And that doesn't include the polygraph test. I'm feeling really discouraged right now. 

[Alyssa Coats]

I'm having to do one too! I scheduled it finally for next week. After I saved up the money for it. I'm doing mine via zoom? Everywhere they listed I could do it with is 6+ hours away. Not sure how the zoom works if it's tests I have to take along with the interview. I have a possession charge from when I was extremely young. I'm really nervous about doing it. But I do feel encouraged the fact that this is the last step. And I'm able to have even got this far filing for a DO. What kind of things do they ask you? 

[Juliecasteel]

Alyssa Coats said:

I'm having to do one too! I scheduled it finally for next week. After I saved up the money for it. I'm doing mine via zoom? Everywhere they listed I could do it with is 6+ hours away. Not sure how the zoom works if it's tests I have to take along with the interview. I have a possession charge from when I was extremely young. I'm really nervous about doing it. But I do feel encouraged the fact that this is the last step. And I'm able to have even got this far filing for a DO. What kind of things do they ask you? 

I had 4 hours of testing, 900+ questions regarding integrity, honesty. Once the doctor reviewed my answers, I returned for him to review those with me and he asked questions based upon my answers. After that, I had a polygraph test and returned for those results to the same doctor. Once those results are submitted, it takes 45 business days for the board to review and approve / deny. After that, I waited another month for the board to ratify my order, which is done once a month. It took another 6 months to get my license updated to active status online.