new to site working on getting license back after surrender NEED ADVICE

[NIKALEA]

Hi- so glad to hear from u ! Sounds like ur really trying and making good progess. OK, I will lay out what I have learned and hope it wull help u. If I were in ur shoes @ this point I would recommened looking up tpapn web site and follow those guidelines as close as possible. Thet really do have a great program for recovery, it works. The Texas BON does work with tpap. They aknowledge the program as a strong one and those who complete it are given credit. Some of the guidelines r 90 / 90 meetings (90 meetings in nineth days, then it is 4 meetings a week for the remainder of the two years. I know it is a lot but it works, you get so use to it after a while. It helps to retrain ur thinking into sobriety, it takes two years (they say) to get some of the old triggers out of our heads. I love the meetings and the people I have met, many nurses, doctors, RT'S believe me we r not alone. Also they require counseling w/ an addiction specialist @ least 1 x per week and group 1 x per week until the counselor releases u. They will write a plan for u. Keep copies of all ur records, a journal or notebook of every appt u have. Any progress notes the MD, counselor writes. Don't write all ur problems in there, the BON only wants to know about ur your recovery progress. They are overwhelmed as is. Make sure u have / get sponsor in NA / AA keep dates of meeting and what step u are working each month, and what it mrans to u. It's easier to write it down as u go than to try and remember everything, really it is. Make sure u have a PMD, even if u don't think u need need one. Your MD needs to know about ur subtance abuse hx. Talk to him / her honestly, they will be more understanding than u would ever think. Most people really want to help someone that is trying. Get any Rx filled @ only one pharmacy so a record can b pulled if asked. Try not to take any mind altering meds, even benadryl, those r off limits in tpapn, and get tested for. Ther have been times all of this pissed me off etc, but if I am really honest w/ myself I know that a year ago I could have cared less if I lived or died. In fact death seemed easier. Tpapn, recovery, AA all of it are life, and a good life. I'm not perfect by no means, but I'm gratful. Pt's Im taking care of have the right to a nurse who not impaired on anything, not even hung over. I would expect that as pt, we all would. I never practiced thinking I was altered, or too sick to work. But this disease eats us up. Thank God there is help. I'm probably leaving some out, sorry. I will re-read and add whatever I can to help !! Packing for a trip, have an early flight. Will check back in ASAP. Bye for now. - Tweetybird-

Wow!! Tweety sounds like a big order, but I'll try. I worry because the way the economy has gone it has done a doozie on the benefits my husband's job provided. We use to have great insurance especially for mental and substance abuse counseling, but now it has changed dramatically!! I had to stop going to my doctor(due to overblown deductible) and counseling is strictly an out of pocket expense.It's sad cause as soon as I started my recovery the policy changed, as long as it wasn't being used the benefits were great. I can't receive any kind of assistance because he brings in way more than their guidelines allow, you know in Tx you have to be indigent before they will assist you with anything. Unless you find loop holes and I ain't trying to go thru all that!!

I wished when you try and talk to people from the BON they were a little more willing to let you know what you need to do. The lady I talked to was so mean, but I guess I have to try to put myself in her shoes having to deal with people like me, but I still don't think I would be so cold. I don't know.. my financial situation may be my downfall at this point, not having the resources to do all these things will hurt in the long run.

You know, I completed an Office Professional course in 08, but have been unsuccessful in finding work, (fraud comes up on my background check along with being in that HIPDB and on that exclusion list, its tough) with two kids 16 an 12 it been tough for my husband, but he keeps on trucking I'm truly blessed to have had someone there for me thru my recovery and healing process.

I don't know we have very good AD&D and Life insurance through his work and I have selfish thoughts, sometimes I feel like I'm better for them gone, I can contribute so much more that way. I wouldn't act on it, I believe in Heaven and Hell, but I tell you I constantly ask my higher power if he is sure he is not done with me LOL... I really get down about it, that useless and worthless feeling comes and goes. I'm not giving up a little give out, but just reading what you guys post really gives me a boost!! (Sorry got started and had to catch myself)

Hope you have fun and be safe on your trip!!
freezing round these parts

[whome3]

here is a link to a TX lawyer who has extensive knowledge about the TX BON. I know several nurses who had better outcomes using him.

In normal curcumstances, ie impaired, and reported, the need for legal representation is not usually of use, but in cases that are complex, or that don't have any established guidelines I strongly suggest using legal counsel.

TX BON is one of the states that does not issue licenses easily or loosely, and can require more demands and stipulations that are outside their written regulations and laws.

I believe that Louis offers free consultations, and accepts payment plans. At least, he can give an idea of what you should expect, and what you need to have.

Good luck

[whome3]

Oooops, forgot to post the links.

Medical License Defense | Physician Licenses | Texas Nursing Board Attorney | Leichter Law Firm

BNE Lawyer: Texas Nursing Board Attorney: Leichter Law Firm : Texas Board of Nurse Examiners : Texas Medical Licensing Law Blog

[whome3]

here is a link to a TX lawyer who has extensive knowledge about the TX BON. I know several nurses who had better outcomes using him.

In normal curcumstances, ie impaired, and reported, the need for legal representation is not usually of use, but in cases that are complex, or that don't have any established guidelines I strongly suggest using legal counsel.

TX BON is one of the states that does not issue licenses easily or loosely, and can require more demands and stipulations that are outside their written regulations and laws.

I believe that Louis offers free consultations, and accepts payment plans. At least, he can give an idea of what you should expect, and what you need to have.

Good luck

BNE Lawyer: Texas Nursing Board Attorney: Leichter Law Firm : Texas Board of Nurse Examiners : Texas Medical Licensing Law Blog

[NIKALEA]

Whome3

Thanks, I will give them a call, and thanks for coming back with the info.

[tweetybird rn]

Hi Nikalea,
How r u doing? Sorry took so long to respond just got back home. I really know how u felt when u metioned the life insurance thing, because I was so depressed @ one time too. But those feelings can and will be lifted if u r in a good recovery program, also I know money is tight but consider going to a doctor and talking about the depression, together u may decide u need medication for that. Its worth a shot, those feelings of shame are the very worst. Remember we are allowed to forgive ourselves too. Shame is a killer.I know it sounds like a lot, in beginning it really is. But it gets easier because as u make progress in your recovery they don't require as may sessions with counselor etc., or as many meetings. I don't have to do nearly what I did in the beginning. I will say that I easily put that kind of time, effort, and money into drinking. This replaces that with something healthy, a new habit if u will. A habit of healthy living, that is not what I was doing before that is for sure. Believe me I still get stressed out, like now. On my vacation I had 3 known accidental exposures, #1 getting a full manicure and nails done (etoh in the products didn't even think about that until I was soaking in it and glanced @ the bottle on the table), #2 Eating a peice of rum cake.#3 eating beer batter french fries. I did not know about the food until my daughter said, "that rum cake was so good that his wife made." I felt my stomach just drop. Then we went out to eat, I looked @ the menu closely (so I thought) burger w/ fries, somebody @ the table said, "They have the best beer battered fries here." I made an excuse to look @ the menu again, sure @ the top of the listings for "Burgers" it said our famous beer battered fries. I had only looked where it said next to the kinda of burger I ordered, it said simply served with fries. It is really a challenge when your away from home and have to be a detective. I had to take a UDS as soon I got back in town, now I'm just waiting. That does seem unfair, but @ the same time I know that the drug/etoh screening is important to complete the program. I have worked really hard to get where I'm at. My heart and soul are in this. I just want to stay close to home now until I complete this program. I know what I put in my food @ home and familar with the resturants I go to. It's worth the peice of mind. It would be so heartbreaking to have a postive result for something I didn't intentionally do. Guess I will find out soon enough. Just really glad to be home now and to resume my routine. Speaking of I have to go to a meeting now, then lunch with my sponsor. She is great ! Keep me posted, always good to hear from you. Bye for now -Tweetybird-

[dufusbug]

Hi I am a newbie here and am wondering what the chances are for getting my surrendered RN licensed from Arkansas endorsed so that I can enter into the Indiana state impaired nursing program. I surrendered my license in AR back in 6/08 and was told that after a year I can reapply for reinstatement.

Any info will be much appreciated
Sincerely,

Bill B.

[cali510]

I thought I had heard somewhere that one can not move a restricted license from one state to another. Could someone else provide some personal info on this? You could always contact the Board and ask them directly. In the long run, that is your best bet for getting accurate information.

[whome3]

Hi I am a newbie here and am wondering what the chances are for getting my surrendered RN licensed from Arkansas endorsed so that I can enter into the Indiana state impaired nursing program. I surrendered my license in AR back in 6/08 and was told that after a year I can reapply for reinstatement.

Any info will be much appreciated
Sincerely,

Bill B.

Bill,

All states have their individual policies for licensure by endorsement, but the one commonality in all states is holding an active license in your home state.

Some states accept disciplinay monitoring in other states, others deny licensure until the license is clear and the monitoring complete. Some states don't allow the nurse to move while being monitored and there have been many nurses who were monitored by both states.

I am unsure how IN looks at this, but I do know that you must be reinstated in AR before doing anything else. If you have drug or alcohol issues, showing that you are no longer using is another standard requirement in all states, the specifis as to showing how differs however. There will also be some type of monitoring and other requirements in order to be reinstated.

[saracat66t]

Tread carefully with the ri bon. Do not go near them without an attorney
The director is not a very nice person. The director actually told a potential employer over the phone not to hire me. The woman wouldn't know me if she fell on me. My councelor of five years stopped treating me because she was concerned about her own license after a conversation she had with director of the board. She also told me that the director has it out for me.I made the mistake of making them look stupid, not intentionately. I got the distinct impression that most nurses are intimidated by them so there not used to having someone fight back. When i'm guilty I accept the consequenses of my actions, but if i'm innocent,look out. Anyway, watch your back