[crickette_34]

A little over five years ago I had a possession of a controlled substance charge on my record. I have recently (August, 2005) finished LVN school and had to file a declatory order for the Texas BNE. They reviewed my application along with all the letters of recommendation and sent me a letter back to get a Forensic Psych. Eval done along with a polygraph test. I completed that and the BNE requested that I come before them for an infomal hearing. I have been clean all this time and have done everything in my power to make things right since my arrest in 2000. I understand they have to protect the people. What I'm asking does anyone know what goes on in those hearings in Austin, Tx with the Board? If anyone can help, I sure would appreciate it very much

[nursinghumor]

Hi,

I would find an attorney, preferably a nurse attorney, that had dealt with the Texas BNE and drug/licensure issues ASAP.

When you go to that meeting knowing your future livelihood is on the line, you're going to be under far more stress than you need to be. Have an attorney represent you, it's just another case for him/her. They can state your case and make your arguement for you.

You can call here for an attorney referral:

The American Association of Nurse Attorneys:"TAANA serves as a resource network and support group for nurse attorneys and educates the public on matters of nursing, health care, and the law."
7794 Grow Drive Pensacola, FL 32514
Toll Free: 877-538-2262, Fax: 850/484-8762
Email: taana@puetzamc.com
http://www.taana.org/
************************************************** ****

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com

[mattsmom]

Originally Posted by crickette_34

A little over five years ago I had a possession of a controlled substance charge on my record. I have recently (August, 2005) finished LVN school and had to file a declatory order for the Texas BNE. They reviewed my application along with all the letters of recommendation and sent me a letter back to get a Forensic Psych. Eval done along with a polygraph test. I completed that and the BNE requested that I come before them for an infomal hearing. I have been clean all this time and have done everything in my power to make things right since my arrest in 2000. I understand they have to protect the people. What I'm asking does anyone know what goes on in those hearings in Austin, Tx with the Board? If anyone can help, I sure would appreciate it very much

I used to practice in Tx and found the BNE to be fair. I have several friends with substance and psych histories who have had good experiences with the Tx BNE. You are right...their concern is for the public. It sounds like you have all your ducks in a row. Your conviction was 5 years ago and you completed all the steps the BNE asked you to. You should do fine if your evaluation and polygraph say you're clean. Expect some kind of followup on their part....random drug screens, etc, for awhile...or they may ask you to serve on TPAPN and assist your peers with substance problems. Good luck...hope all goes well for you!

Mattsmom

[sleepless in norman]

These people are right, obtain an attorney and have one present before and duritng any questioning. In Oklahoma I had a similar incident, turned myself into the OBN, with my attorney, completed all their requirements, ie. rehad,peer assistance, and even after all this they still turned me into the Office of Inspector General Exclusionary list, which ended my career,as this caused me to fall behind on child support and the legal problems surmounted. I was doing fine working in a SICU where people knew me, then out of the clear blue I'm terminated due to the OIG reporting by the OBN, for no other reason other than they adopted a new policy. It was no use trying to find a job with a felony on my record even in a non-medicare/medicaid funded facility, had they left me alone working where people knew me and were supervising me, I would still be working today. This was nothing more than a blatent act of excessive punishment and abuse of authority, serving no one, sorry to post a real get you downer, but this is the cold hard fact of what can happen, when authority goes unbridled. Read your boards postion on OIG reporting and make your attorney aware of this. Good Luck.

[tommy07cat]

I went before the Board in 2001 to apply for reinstatement of my RN license. I had a felony conviction in 1998 and surrendered my license. I did everything I needed to do to address my problem and meet all the Board requirements before I went to Austin. They asked me questions and I answered honestly. I found the BNE to be very fair and understanding. I felt I did not need legal representation. I just told them what happened, what I had done over 5 years to correct it and left it up to them and their wisdom to decide if I had done enough to reenter the profession. It is a privilege to be a nurse not a right, I was blessed with reinstatement in 2002