Too young to get license back?!

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Heard at a support group that the BON does not want to give a nurse who self reported and started IPRP his license back. They suspended and said come back after a year of documented clean time in program. Im worried bc i have only been a nurse for 2 years and am 27 year old and was also diverting. I am in the program and yet to hear from board. Has anyone ever heard of the BON doing this after someone has already entered the program?

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

It's not uncommon for a license to remain suspended until the participant has documented verified clean time. the average in California is 6 to 12 months of clean urines before being allowed to return to restricted practice. RNs earn their way back to full privileges by their time in the program and documented clean time. It does not matter if you have been a nurse for 1 year or for many years - the programs are pretty much one size fits all. Still if you keep your head down and follow the rules you will work as a nurse again.

Hppy

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Awesome thanks for responding!

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Hi you! 27? Only working for 2 years as a nurse? Diverting? You are *exactly* where I was 4 years ago (I've got one year of monitoring left).

The board cleared me to work after 6 months, I opted to wait almost 2 years before I felt really ready to get back in the game (so basically I completed 2 years of my contract while working a different job outside of nursing).

You can do this. I know it is frightening right now and it feels like your heart will fall right out of your chest sometimes. But you *can* do this. The monitoring is the bonus to having gained the opportunity to live your best life....because diverting and feeling that daily shame of caring for and loving patients while simultaneously stealing from your facility to wasn't it.

I look forward to hearing about your journey here. There are some incredibl folks on this forum.

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Thank you and i totally relieved to be sober and living an honest life. How long did it take you to hear from board? Im in monitoring and they are allowing me to work until i hear from board. I feel bad even working (at a plasma center) because i know if i get suspended i will have to quit.

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Im happy to hear from someone with a similar story who has made this work! I love hearing success stories.

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Yes, common. I was the relapse queen. Not only did the FBON tell me to come back when I had two years of clean time, but then my IPN evaluator made me wait an additional year in monitoring. It has nothing to do with age.

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My state doesn't have an alternative program so I am monitored through my board. It took them 12 months to contact me

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My state doesn't have an alternative program so I am monitored through my board. It took them 12 months to contact me

Then keep track of everything you have done: Meetings, Therapy, Outpatient/Inpatient treatment, drugs screens, etc... to show all you have done to get help and maintain your sobriety.

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Oh, my apologies, I should have quoted what I was replying to. I have one year left in my monitoring agreement, sober for 5 years

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