Thinking about NP school

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Hey everyone. I am a board ordered nurse. Been in a monitoring program and working in a psych facility for a year now. I’m considering going back to NP school which would have me graduating in two years (the same time I am finished with monitoring.) but I’m wondering if this is even possible. Has anyone gone back to school while monitoring? Will the board allow it? Am I even allowed to have an NP license? Thanks for any info!!

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Most schools require that you have an “unencumbered” license. If you do land in a program that doesn’t require this, you will have to face the challenge of finding clinical sites who are willing to provide access and oversight of your practice with the monitoring.

I am not saying it isn’t possible (though in my state it is impossible), but will require a lot of work from your end.

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Specializes in OR.

this^^^

Having been chained to this hell for a snip over 5 years now and soon to be done, thank the deity of your choosing, I can tell you that it is difficult find an NP program for this very reason. I tried a few and was steered toward the informatics road because clinical hours are minimal. The thing is I don’t/didn’t want to do informatics.

Where programs say they want an ‘unencumbered’ license, I think it is because they consider you a liability by representing thier program while under contract (even though you are finding your own clinical site.) which I guess kinda makes sense, I suppose.

What you might try is waiting until you only have a year of this albatross left. If you can present to a program with more time behind you than in front of you, it looks better.

i don’t know what state you are in but here in Florida, University of Central Florida is known to work with us. Their NP program is online too, with a couple of different tracks.

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What everyone else said...

If you are board ordered, your license is encumbered. Nursing programs don't like that. If you weren't board ordered, it would be better.

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I finished NP School while in monitoring. However, I had all my clinical rotations completed when I started in monitoring. Here (in PA) you cannot do clinical hours while in the program so NP school is out as a practicality

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On 2/11/2019 at 1:49 AM, SpankedInPittsburgh said:

I finished NP School while in monitoring. However, I had all my clinical rotations completed when I started in monitoring. Here (in PA) you cannot do clinical hours while in the program so NP school is out as a practicality

was it difficult obtaining an NP license and finding an NP job?

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No I passed by boards straight away and was honest when I applied for my np license. Basically all I told them was that I was in pnap and I got a license. As far as finding a job, my employer paid for my np studies so I was placed very soon after passing boards

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I am in a monitoring program that is not made public and is removed from internal records once completed (provided that there is no violation of the agreement). I recently applied to and was accepted into a PMHNP program. During the process I did inform the school that I am in a monitoring program, however they initially said that since I didn't have an encumbered license and did not list any board order against me it wouldn't be a problem. Shortly after finishing the process and registering for classes I was contacted by the Licensure Committee to tell me that they were resending my offer due to monitoring. I initially of course was very upset, I had been forth coming and had even obtained a letter from the BON stating that there was no issue with me attending NP school and that there is no restriction on my nursing license. The school told me that they had previous students who were in programs that would eventually complete and leave no record of every having been monitored, but when these students graduated several had been moved out of the monitoring side to the disciplinary side, or were still being monitored. As a result, even though they had graduated and were eligible to take borads, they were unable to obtain insurance or collaborating physicians, in effect keeping them as an RN and not allowing them to practice. I have been given a guarantee of sorts that once I complete my program that I will be accepted and able to continue schooling.

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On 8/17/2019 at 9:07 AM, ALRNAA said:

I am in a monitoring program that is not made public and is removed from internal records once completed (provided that there is no violation of the agreement). I recently applied to and was accepted into a PMHNP program. During the process I did inform the school that I am in a monitoring program, however they initially said that since I didn't have an encumbered license and did not list any board order against me it wouldn't be a problem. Shortly after finishing the process and registering for classes I was contacted by the Licensure Committee to tell me that they were resending my offer due to monitoring. I initially of course was very upset, I had been forth coming and had even obtained a letter from the BON stating that there was no issue with me attending NP school and that there is no restriction on my nursing license. The school told me that they had previous students who were in programs that would eventually complete and leave no record of every having been monitored, but when these students graduated several had been moved out of the monitoring side to the disciplinary side, or were still being monitored. As a result, even though they had graduated and were eligible to take borads, they were unable to obtain insurance or collaborating physicians, in effect keeping them as an RN and not allowing them to practice. I have been given a guarantee of sorts that once I complete my program that I will be accepted and able to continue schooling.

that's crazy!! I'm sorry they rescinded your offer. I hope you'll get accepted somewhere once you're done with monitoring.

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Specializes in Mental Health.

I am currently in a DNP-PMHNP program In Washington State. I am in my 5th and final year of monitoring. My license is clear and will continue to be clear upon completion of the monitoring program. My DNP program accepted me under the condition that I would complete the monitoring program prior to beginning clinical site rotations as it becomes problematic with site monitoring, reporting, etc. I am fortunate that this particular DNP program is "front-loaded" meaning all didactic work is completed the first two years and clinical work is completed the last two years. I will complete a five year monitoring contract on 8/20/2025 and my clinical rotation will begin on 9/1/2025 so the universe aligned in my favor! Most reputable academic institutions value DEI and especially value persons with lived experience. I have experienced not only amazing support but helpful guidance from faculty only wanting to see me to succeed. I know many of the online fast-track programs are not as welcoming to persons in recovery and honestly that should send a clear message regarding their intentions. Anything is possible status-post recovery from SUD or AUD and the experience will only make one a more empathetic, human-centered provider. Do not give up on your dream.

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Specializes in ICU, Psych.
catsmeow1972 said:

this^^^

Having been chained to this hell for a snip over 5 years now and soon to be done, thank the deity of your choosing, I can tell you that it is difficult find an NP program for this very reason. I tried a few and was steered toward the informatics road because clinical hours are minimal. The thing is I don't/didn't want to do informatics.

Where programs say they want an 'unencumbered' license, I think it is because they consider you a liability by representing thier program while under contract (even though you are finding your own clinical site.) which I guess kinda makes sense, I suppose.

What you might try is waiting until you only have a year of this albatross left. If you can present to a program with more time behind you than in front of you, it looks better.

I don't know what state you are in but here in Florida, University of Central Florida is known to work with us. Their NP program is online too, with a couple of different tracks.

UCF accepts students while they are in a monitoring program?

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