Returning to nursing after losing license...anybody else?

[karen manners]

I am in WA state and lost my RN license after diverting narcotics and drinking. This happened in 1995. I have since gotten clean and am going through the process of completing the things the nursing board has told me to do to get it reinstated. I am going to start the online RN Refresher course fron Washington State University in Pullman. Is there anyone else who is doing or has done the same thing and would like to talk? I have to do a drug and alcohol evaluation (I've been clean for 12 years) and follow their recommendations and report to the nurse recovery program we have here. I'm really excited but very nervous! I've been out of nursing for a long time, but not out of the medical field. Please email me with any help, comments or encouragement. I would really appreciate it!!!

Thanks again,

Karen:

[just4ladejane]

Hi Karen, I am from Mississippi. I have just decided to try to get my license reinstated. Still waiting to hear from board. Hard to get them to call me back. My license was revoked about 4 years ago. I was devestated, went through severe depression. I do not do drugs (haven't for over 5 years, don't drink, quit smoking 1 yr ago. My life has changed, I am ready to see what it takes to get my license back.

Back then, I refused the order of board. Depression got to me, I fell in a hole. I believe their orders to be unfair. I surrendered my license. Back then I tested + for amphetamines. I had taken one of my sisters diet pills, phetermine I believe. Tested + again 6 months later. I screwed up! Then a couple months later another +. This was a lab error. I was clean. Couldn;t prove it. They wanted me to go through 90 day in house rehab, etc. etc. etc. etc I was depressed. I made a mistake. I am no longer depressed. I am a brand new person, new life, new everything.

I was wondering is there a chance I can get my license back?

[lostRN]

HI,
I am new to this site, but I would like to start off by thanking you for giving me hope that there could be a possibility of me regaining a nursing career. I surrendered my RN license in February of 2005, and I have no clue about the reality of ever getting it back. I know that I am not in the same state as you, but hearing that you were able to get your licence back after 12 years of sobriety gives me hope. Way to go! Thank you and good luck, I wish you the best in your nursing success.

Determined to Succeed,
lostRN

[1tresjeni]

Karen...

Hello hello...I'm in Washington state as well and curious if you were successful in getting your license reinstated. I lost mine last fall when I sent the paperwork in 1 day too late, and was suspended due to default. When I wrote to protest, the reaffirmed their decision since I stated I was going through a very stressful time...moving, getting injured on the job, then being fired after LNI accepted my claim, no income, my exemployer claiming my injury never happened(thank God for my witness!!!) and so on....ARGH!!! Things are much better now, seeing someone I can "talk" to and properly medicated for my depression I hit when things fell apart.

Just truly hoping there's others out there that got ahead and able to succeed in their career. This is my calling, and I feel a part of myself is lost with out my license.

Hope to hear success stories soon.

Cheers and blessings,
jeni