What has CA RN probation terms 1-19 been like for you?

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Hi! I graduated an ADN program in California almost 15 months ago. I had a baby 2 days after graduation, so I've been busy being a mom. I have also been sober for almost 10 years from drugs and alcohol, and I am very active in AA and apply the 12 steps to my life.

Long story short, and to be blunt...I have a criminal history including IV drug use, petty theft, resisting arrest (which was marked as a violent crime), felony possession, and many many misdemeanors. I only say this part to give you an idea of my story without going into too much detail. Everything has been expunged, and the felony reduced to a misdemeanor. I have not committed a crime since 2005.

Anyway, I applied for my RN license one year ago, and I took the NCLEX RN in October 2016. I sent the BRN a 5 pound box with all the required paperwork regarding my convictions, as well as and extensive amount of proof of rehabilitation (letters from people in AA, my sponsor, volunteer work in AA and in the community, a psych eval., graduation proof from rehab and prop 36, act). I am finally wrapping up the application process, and the California attorney general called me last week to inform me that the BRN has agreed to give me my license, but with probation...yay! I don't have a lawyer, but I have been researching and gathering excellent resources to educate myself on how to prove rehabilitation to the BRN. So for my settlement, I requested a 35 month probation with the option to apply for termination after one year, the BRN did agreed to that, yay! I also requested to have a rule out assessment done by a board approved psychiatrist so rule out dismissing optional probation terms 14-19. They did not agree to that part.

So I am waiting for my settlement, then I will decide if I'll agree to it, or go to court and try to get some of the terms 14-19 modified or reduced, since I've been recovered from alcoholism and addiction, thanks to the 12 steps.

Thank you for reading my story. No negative comments please. I have jumped through hoops for 12 years to get where I am today, and I am so grateful for my sober, beautiful life. I feel that God has a plan for me and maybe it's to help other nurses in the support groups that are struggling with addiction and/or alcohol. I am trying to remain positive, but I'm frustrated with the thought of probation, since I know that the obsession to drink or use is no longer an issue for me, so long as I stay active in the 12 steps.

How much does drug testing cost?

Are there board approved testing sites, therapists and/or psychiatrist that will take Kaiser insurance?

How many times, on average do we have to drug test?

Any other information you want to share about your experience will be greatly appreciated.

I know it will be difficult for me to find a job I love, but I'm a "go getter", and I know I'll find something eventually! I'm so excited to be a registered nurse, regardless of the situation. All these years, I was so scared of getting denied, but I went to school and took a chance. I hope this helps someone accomplish their dream of being a nurse, regardless of their past criminal history.

Thank you

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Hey there,

First off, congrats on obtaining your RN license, it's no small feat and you should be incredibly proud of yourself.

Ive been an RN for 4 years and on probation for almost a year due to a DUI I got in my first year of nursing. As per the settlement with the board, I was placed on 3 years probation with the option to terminate early after 2 years with options 1-19. Don't feel bad about not getting the rule out clause, from what I hear that's pretty much nonexistent these days.

In terms of what probation is like, I'm not gonna lie, it's a pain. The first 6 months are the worst though and then it gets easier from there. The first step is to take a big breath and relax, you'll get through it.

At first, there's a lot thrown your way so try to take it one day at a time. The first step is to enroll with Firstlab and find a nurse support group to attend. I see you're in Ventura, I'm farther north in Santa Maria but there's groups in Simi Valley and Camarillo if I remember correctly. Groups are usually $20-30 a week. In addition to that, you'll be tested an average of 2-3 times a month with testing averaging about $100 a pop (20-40 for the collection fee and 63.50 for the test itself). Sometimes you'll get tested 4x a month and sometimes you'll get selected for a PETH test, which costs $113 but these are few and far between.

In addition to these costs, you also have to get a physical, mental health, and substance abuse assessment done. The easiest way to go about doing this is to find a doctor that's approve do by the board for all three, which saves you multiple trips. The MD I found was in Santa Barbara, it cost me $450 for all assessments and he doesn't take insurance but it gave me peace of mind to know I was done after 1 trip. He was also able to excuse me from completing a rehab program as I didn't meet the criteria for an alcoholic or addict per his assessment.

Once youve got all your assessments done and you've met with a therapist of your choosing (the only requirement you can use insurance for and also the easiest as you only have to meet once) then it gets a lot easier as you'll only have to worry about your drug test, nurse support group, and cost recovery fees every month. For me this comes out to about $300-$350 a month. Not cheap but manageable.

In terms of job opportunities, I was working at a SNF prior to getting out on probation and am still at the same job now doing admissions. I have no narc restrictions and my contract only requires I have another RN in the building for half my shift, so never ran into trouble getting my job approved. I've also begun exploring other job options as I don't want to be in skilled nursing forever. From my experience, stay away from Dignity Health, I've interviewed 3 times for a position with them, and have gotten the position only to be told by HR that they can't hire a nurse on probation. Tenet is monitoring friendly, don't know about Cottage.

Hope i havent overloaded you with with too much info. Feel free to ask me any questions, were all in this together

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Hi! Thank you so much for your detailed response. I really appreciate you sharing your experience with me.

I have decided to go to go through with the settlement and take the 35 month probation. It sounds like it's been a long road for you, but congrats on being driven and working hard through this probation period! I may comment on here again for message you with questions, if that's ok with you. I actually just started working at Dignity Heath, in nursing admin though. Hoping to get my foot in the door and make some money while I wait for the BRN and AG to process everything. I didn't preceptorship at a Dignity health hospital and spent 2 clinical semesters learning there as well, so it's a good place for me to network. Perhaps I'll have to wait to apply with them as RN after my probationary period, but that's ok too. Once again, thank you!

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I wanted to post an update! I was finally granted a probationary license. I am excited and scared, but I am so grateful that they agreed to give me a chance. I will write another post after probation starts.

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Any updates on how it's all going for you? I had two DUI's and I just signed the terms today, which my lawyer is going to send to the attorney general who is then going to send it to the board and then start the terms. My lawyer told me it takes about 3 months or so once you sign the terms and send it. I hired a lawyer and I tried to get probation with rule out 14-19 but they didnt agree, then we tried to go for probation with termination after the first year which they also didnt agree. So now i'm just gonna sign the 35 month term. Did you have a hard time finding a job? How often are you going to do the drug test and AA meetings a week? An update about how its like would be very helpful since I'm gonna be doing the same exact thing you're doing in couple of months. Thanks!

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

No negative comments from me. Congratulations on your continued sobriety and recovery. The California BON is known for being rather inflexible on these contracts. If you have already retained an attorney please make sure he/she looks over your contract before you sign it. It's been a long time since I was in the Diversion program so I can't speak to the costs of the tests but you will most certainly have to do some random UDS. Make sure your lawyer fights for your to use your Kaiser provider's. They are less likely to recommend and then shove you into a program you don't need. If you are still going to 12 step meetings you have that covered.

IMHO - you are exactly the type of person who would benefit from my proposed reform on these matters. Under my proposed program you would have 1 year of mandatory AA/NA, 1 random UDS a month, and no practice stipulations. If you failed at this level you would advance to a more stringent program.

Good luck to you

Keep on trudging

Hppy

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Thanks for all this information, im scared and not sure what to expect. i have my 2nd DUI and all the options given the BON are giving are hard to swallow, but grateful to have some information especially from locals. Im just wondering if i will get the same results if i get an attorney or go threw the process myself.

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How do you see if the board will approve an MD for assessments... what are the steps to get an MD approved for mental/physical assesments. Is there a form? I just received my decision and was given 45 days to complete this but have no information on how to do it..... Help, Im freaking.

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I received the accusations. I spoke with the general attorney and said an email to the BRN. GA said I would have to speak with assigned probation monitorer or you can speak with the disciplinary unit to assist with additional questions.

I was told I was going to receive the agreement documents to review. Also the BRN can help you to locate an.d MD

Sorry i can't give you much assistance

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Thanks so much for your speedy reply as I'm allowing myself to get overwhelmed. My probation started today and I know I can do it (me pep talking myself). Will you be on probation? If so I'm a couple steps ahead of you and will help in any way I can.

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H ou w long did the probation process take? They told me it can still take months?

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Dont over whelming yourself with things you can't control, just go with the flow. Make it part of your routine. Dont resist it accept, take it one day at a time. Time goes by fast? How many years if probation?

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