Where do I go from here?

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Specializes in ER / ICU.

I am a critical care RN with years of experience, who pled guilty to a federal felony diversion charge. I have been in my state's probation program with great results, and was practicing again. When I pled guilty I lost my job, as I will at some point wind up on the OIG Exclusion list (has not happened yet).

I guess I am at a loss as to what to do. I still have my license, but because of the exclusion list I will not be able to be employed by any hospital or clinic that accepts federal funds for 5 years after I am placed on it. I don't want to give it up, but am kind of wondering what is the point of trying to keep it. Who would hire a felon, albeit one trying to redeem and reform? I am too young to retire, but too old to attempt a whole new career. This process has drained my retirement, so not working is not an option. I guess I'm looking for suggestions, if anyone has experience in this? Corrections? the felony would likely come into play.

Kids, take care of that precious license...

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
PDRN said:

I am a critical care RN with years of experience, who pled guilty to a federal felony diversion charge. I have been in my state's probation program with great results, and was practicing again. When I pled guilty I lost my job, as I will at some point wind up on the OIG Exclusion list (has not happened yet).

I guess I am at a loss as to what to do. I still have my license, but because of the exclusion list I will not be able to be employed by any hospital or clinic that accepts federal funds for 5 years after I am placed on it. I don't want to give it up, but am kind of wondering what is the point of trying to keep it. Who would hire a felon, albeit one trying to redeem and reform? I am too young to retire, but too old to attempt a whole new career. This process has drained my retirement, so not working is not an option. I guess I'm looking for suggestions, if anyone has experience in this? Corrections? the felony would likely come into play.

Kids, take care of that precious license...

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I don't have any experience in this. 

Give insurance and similar work a consideration.  I  found it soul crushing but it paid well.  You may be able to find a telehealth or telephone triage position.  Some public health offices employ nurses who do primarily patient tracking types of work with no bedside or med activities.  

Good luck. 

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Before you're placed on it, are you able to take a job in LTC or travel? I would say try to get a job in one of those areas, especially LTC, where they need nurses and work overtime, as many as you can until you are placed on the list. 

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Specializes in Hospice.
delrionurse said:

Before you're placed on it, are you able to take a job in LTC or travel? I would say try to get a job in one of those areas, especially LTC, where they need nurses and work overtime, as many as you can until you are placed on the list. 

I dunno if I agree wither LTC, though. A bedside nurse in LTC is chained to a med cart, handling just about every controlled substance known to man or beast. Not very safe for someone recently convicted of diversion, regardless of the reason for the offending behavior.

I suspect it's not much better for travelers.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

What about a medspa-type setting? I am trying to think of places that don't accept insurance, period. Places that are out of pocket. Maybe those places that do B12 injections and vitamin infusions?

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heron said:

I dunno if I agree wither LTC, though. A bedside nurse in LTC is chained to a med cart, handling just about every controlled substance known to man or beast. Not very safe for someone recently convicted of diversion, regardless of the reason for the offending behavior.

The nurse is not chained to a med cart, they have med aides. They do the treatment cart, insulin and g-tube meds. Not all LTC's have loads of narcotics, it depends where you are. If he/she finds a good facility, and work night shift, which is more laid back, and less meds and treatments to do, they can work overtime and save money in case they have trouble finding a job. The point is there are hours to be worked and they're probably more forgiving than a lot of places. 

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Specializes in ER / ICU.

Insurance and MedSpa are great ideas- LTC won't work, as the area I live in only has the one major health system that let me go in the first place because of the impending OIG list inclusion. They also run the local LTC facilities. 

But...thank you so much for the ideas! 

 

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Specializes in Hospice.
delrionurse said:

The nurse is not chained to a med cart, they have med aides. They do the treatment cart, insulin and g-tube meds. Not all LTC's have loads of narcotics, it depends where you are. If he/she finds a good facility, and work night shift, which is more laid back, and less meds and treatments to do, they can work overtime and save money in case they have trouble finding a job. The point is there are hours to be worked and they're probably more forgiving than a lot of places. 

Still quite risky, in my opinion. The conditions you describe are a set-up to re-offend. Med aides are not typically allowed to give PRN or controlled meds, at least in my state. If substance use is a factor in the OPs diversion, night shift in LTC just about guarantees relapse.

The question might be moot, however. OP would have to pass a background check with a criminal conviction on their record.

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Specializes in OR Circulator.

Look into Nurse writing, counseling or legal nursing.  As horrible as your current situation is, maybe you can use it to help others in this situation.  I know there are medical professional only AA programs specific to diversion.  Join one of those and see how others turned this around.  You are not alone and I'm sure there is a heap of information out there.  It's just finding it!  Good luck!

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Can you dispute the OIG sanction?  It took a lot of leg work, but I knew someone who disputed the OIG sanction and won. Granted, this was several years ago but it worked so it may be worth a try. If, however, you know you can't avoid an OIG sanction, then I suggest legal nursing.  Someone else I knew went this route after he too ended up on the OIG sanction list for five years and he didn't take any legal nursing classes (total waste of money). He just started cold calling on small personal injury law firms until he finally landed a gig. Initially, he didn't make as much as he normally would have in a regular nursing job, but it sure beat unemployment or working at Walmart! The attorneys with whom he worked were very understanding and supportive.  He made a lot of good professional connections and did some really cool things in that role that he never would've thought of.  Fast forward five years when it came time for the sanction to be lifted and the attorneys loved him so much (he helped them win lots of cases!) they offered him an even higher salary than he could have ever make as a BSN prepared RN. What started off as a "port in the storm" turned out to be his best career move!  When God closes a door, he always opens a window; Sometimes you just have to look around for the opening and be willing to squeeze through it! Good luck! My thoughts and prayers are with you! 

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Had a state felony larceny for drug diversion is 2017. I have never been placed in the oig exclusion list. Been able to work since getting my license reinstated in 2019. Hospitals clinics you name it. Just gotta be up front. If you have any questions let me know. 

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Specializes in ER / ICU.
JM84 said:

Had a state felony larceny for drug diversion is 2017. I have never been placed in the oig exclusion list. Been able to work since getting my license reinstated in 2019. Hospitals clinics you name it. Just gotta be up front. If you have any questions let me know. 

Thank you for your comment- unfortunately, mine is a federal conviction, so guaranteed OIG list ?

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