Where do I go from here??

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Hi everyone! I have spent hours researching on my own and I still have no clue what to do or what direction to go? Any advice or experience will be greatly appreciated! To make a long story as short as possible.....about three years ago my narcotic addiction finally caught up with me and I got caught at work for narcotic use and diversion. At the time I was still in major major denial, I wouldn't admit it to myself and certainly not to anyone else! I lied, denied and ran away from everyone and everything...including the BON. I received paperwork to enter my states recovery program, but I didn't fill it out of course because i didnt have a problem. I eventually received a letter stating that I needed to go before the board for a hearing to decide my fate, this was the next step after refusing to fill out the paperwork for the recovery program. As with everything else, I ignored this letter and I never showed up for my hearing...which in turn I automatically "surrendered" my license. Now its three years later, and I'm in a much better place. I finally took control over my illness and got the help I needed. Im drug free and have been for over two years. I really miss nursing and im scared that due to my past decisions I may never be able to practice again....has anyone been in a similar situation? I dont know what steps to take or even where to start? Thanks to all for listening:shy:

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

Does your state have an alternative to discipline program for nurses? Contact them. If not, you'll have to go through your BON. You will probably have to go through a monitoring program for several years.MANY people have been in a similar situation and have gone back to work. Things vary from state to state so just pick up the phone and get the process going.

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Specializes in Many areas, currently adult psych.

It varies from state to state. My state will let u re apply after 1 year of a surrender. As much as it sucks to talk to the board you need to call them or at least email them explain your actions and see what options are there for you.

Best of luck. Keeps us updated

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GET LAWYER ASAP! An adminstative lawyer with experience in handling professional liscence issues. It is imperative! Like previously stated it does vary from state to state but it isn't a good thing that you "blew" their letters off. Hopefully you have all paperwork of things you did to help you recover....like rehab records, counselors, drug screens. That will be helpful. You may have to do it all again for 3 yrs.on thier terms, but idk. you really need a lawyer, I would think, to have a chance to get it back at all, specially considering the initial circumstances. It is like they revoked your liscence..even if they termed it as suspended. Best of luck...you are not alone!

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

Be sure you get a lawyer with experience defending nurses if front of your state licensing agency. Your BON can help with this and there is a national assn. of nurse attorneys (I can't think of the name now) but it is mentioned on this website or you can google them.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Whether you intended to, blowing off the BON wasn't the smartest thing...but what's done is done. It does mean that you will work harder to prove yourself and reassure them of your recovery.

Start with your BON and see what you need to do to reinstate your license. As others have already suggested, engage a lawyer who's familiar with dealing with BONs. It's not going to be an easy, fast and automatic process, and you may not get an unencumbered license back right away. But you have to start somewhere, somehow.

Best of luck with this and your continued recovery.

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