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

[Cieritaqt]

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

[b.g805]

On 8/31/2019 at 11:07 AM, b.g805 said:

How long did the probation process take? They told me it can still take months?

On 8/29/2019 at 11:56 PM, b.g805 said:

I received the accusations. I spoke with the general attorney and send 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 and MD

Sorry i can't give you much assistance

[Jsbae]

Hi.

Recently on probation and havent gotten work approval from BRN. Its been 3 months no work. Is that normal??? Anything a nurse can do? Sucks I cant get reply for so long then if I resubmit i have to start all over in waiting process? I thought getting a job would be hard not getting the Brn approval to work? Help. Depressed.

[b.g805]

Hello, I have been wondering if your job was approved? How long did it take? When did you start the mandatory weekly requirements?

[b.g805]

On 10/1/2019 at 5:06 PM, Jsbae said:

Hi.

Recently on probation and havent gotten work approval from BRN. Its been 3 months no work. Is that normal??? Anything a nurse can do? Sucks I cant get reply for so long then if I resubmit i have to start all over in waiting process? I thought getting a job would be hard not getting the Brn approval to work? Help. Depressed.

I'm wondering how you are doing? Are you working? How is the probation process working out? You will succeed i know it, we both will

[b.g805]

On 8/30/2019 at 12:34 PM, Kristina2222 said:

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.

Hello. I was wondering how it's going? Im like 6 months behind you. Everything will go well it's another task another assignment for out RN license. Also how were you able to find a physician for the evaluations, the one I had planned isnt taking anyone fir months.

[xbananachipsx, BSN, RN]

I just got the paperwork from my lawyer that I'll be put on probation. 

Standard 3 years with the opportunity to petition for a decreased probationary period after 6 months. I haven't gotten my start date, but just signed the papers.

I'm only speaking from my side so feel free to take it with a grain of salt.

I worked for a large organization for 3 months. For some reason things were going downhill and my mental health tanked pretty badly that I ended up qutting. I thought I would be able to put it behind me but someone ended up reporting me for really petty things.

As part of the agreement, board wants me to undergo a psych evaluation and to go to therapy. 

I've been undergoing treatment for years so this isn't new to me, though it's really embarassing that now mental health is being put on the spotlight even though I know I'm a strong competent nurse.

It sucks that the board doesn't see the work I've been doing since I've left the *** organization. I had letters from my DoN and Medical Director advocating for me that they even didn't take that into consideration. "Excessive cellphone usage and falling asleep on the job" was enough to put me on probation. Those accusations sound REALLY BAD, trust me I get it, but the people who filed the complaint definitely used loaded comments that were enough to pique the Board's attention.

I've come to terms with how ***ed up the situation is. I'm grateful the organization I work for is super supportive that I feel confident that I'll be able to get through this. 

For everyone that's in the same boat, I hope you'll be able to find the strength to get through this. Serenity prayer is the name of the game.

[Lurbens]

On 10/23/2021 at 8:29 AM, xbananachipsx said:

I just got the paperwork from my lawyer that I'll be put on probation. 

Standard 3 years with the opportunity to petition for a decreased probationary period after 6 months. I haven't gotten my start date, but just signed the papers.

I'm only speaking from my side so feel free to take it with a grain of salt.

I worked for a large organization for 3 months. For some reason things were going downhill and my mental health tanked pretty badly that I ended up qutting. I thought I would be able to put it behind me but someone ended up reporting me for really petty things.

As part of the agreement, board wants me to undergo a psych evaluation and to go to therapy. 

I've been undergoing treatment for years so this isn't new to me, though it's really embarassing that now mental health is being put on the spotlight even though I know I'm a strong competent nurse.

It sucks that the board doesn't see the work I've been doing since I've left the *** organization. I had letters from my DoN and Medical Director advocating for me that they even didn't take that into consideration. "Excessive cellphone usage and falling asleep on the job" was enough to put me on probation. Those accusations sound REALLY BAD, trust me I get it, but the people who filed the complaint definitely used loaded comments that were enough to pique the Board's attention.

I've come to terms with how ***ED up the situation is. I'm grateful the organization I work for is super supportive that I feel confident that I'll be able to get through this. 

For everyone that's in the same boat, I hope you'll be able to find the strength to get through this. Serenity prayer is the name of the game.

Your situations sounds similar to mine. Did you attempt to go to a hearing?

[xbananachipsx, BSN, RN]

On 10/29/2021 at 7:27 PM, Lurbens said:

Your situations sounds similar to mine. Did you attempt to go to a hearing?

I chose not to go to a hearing - my lawyer advised that I not go to one as that will be on my permanent record - more permanent than BreeZe in a sense. 

I've been having a lot of difficulty geting a hold of my assigned probation monitor. I'm just doing what I can do get through all the requirements that they gave me. 

I'm gonna correct myself and it's at the 1 year mark that I can petition for a reduced period. I don't know how long it's gonna take for that to get processed.

My probation started at 3/3 so I'm out on leave from my work until I get approved to come back.