A reader submitted a question about her RN license being suspended and wonders what she should do to get her license back.
A suspension of one’s professional nursing license is a serious discipline. Only a revocation is grimmer. Although any professional licensure discipline may present problems, a suspension raises unique complications.
The written order of suspension
The board’s written order of suspension is key to strategizing a course to obtain re-licensure. It will include requirements the individual must meet in order to apply for reinstatement of the license.
Although the reader did not include why her license was suspended, the more serious the reason the board took that action against her the more difficult it is to overcome. For example, if the license was suspended because of the commission of a crime for which she was convicted, the board will carefully evaluate the applicant’s character and fitness to be re-licensed.
Requirements in such an instance would most likely require written documentation of successful completion of probation and no other arrests or convictions of a crime.
Likewise, if the suspension occurred because of a clinical error during the provision of patient care, character and fitness to be licensed also will be evaluated, albeit with different factors to consider.
Those factors might include the successful completion, within a specified period of time, of a nursing education program-based course on an applicable patient care topic.
How soon can you be reinstated?
The order also will include when the individual can apply for reinstatement of the license. Although timeframes vary and would depend again on why the nurse was disciplined, the order could specify one or several months to one or several years.
Another obstacle facing a nurse with a suspension of the license is when the suspension took place and when he or she may apply for reinstatement. If the timeframe is a long one, the board may require the successful completion of a clinical update course to ensure that nursing skills are up to date and the applicant is competent to practice nursing.
In states that require continuing education for licensure or re-licensure, that requirement will need to be met before restoration of the license can occur and within the time limits for taking such courses.
This hurdle is not as difficult to overcome as some of the others since the courses that do not include a clinical component can be easily taken online or during an association meeting, as long as the course are ones accepted by the board.
When completion of all requirements of the order of suspension are met, the nurse can then petition the board for reinstatement of the license. Many boards have specific requirements that must be included in the petition, including details of meeting the parameters of the suspension order and attaching supporting documents, letters of recommendation and other information.
Often the board will want to meet with the petitioner so the board members can ask additional questions of the applicant. Likewise, the applicant may want to verbally provide additional information to the board members.
If reinstatement is granted, the board’s order will include any limitations on the nurse’s practice. For example, if the license was suspended because of a substance use disorder, despite successful treatment for that disorder, the board may restrict the nurse from practicing alone on a night shift for a period of years.
Or the board may reinstate the license but place the nurse on probation for a number of years to ensure it can monitor his or her practice during that time. Monitoring could include the submission of a letter to the board from the nurse at designated times detailing her progress during this period, letters from the employer rating the nurse’s employee conduct and his or her employment status, and letters from any treating healthcare providers.
Because the process is a long and involved one requiring a thorough understanding of the legal aspects of the procedure for reinstatement and the state nurse practice act and its rules retaining a nurse attorney or attorney to represent the nurse is essential.
You can read more about professional licensure discipline and boards of nursing.
Editor’s note: Nancy Brent’s posts are designed for educational purposes only and are not to be taken as specific legal or other advice. Individuals who need advice on a specific incident or work situation should contact a nurse attorney or attorney in their state. Visit The American Association of Nurse Attorneys website to search its attorney referral database by state.
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My nursing Licence was suspended because the state said I missed 7 drug screens not true how to do get my Licence reinststated
Call pnap monitor program they should walk you through it Leeann Good luck
Leanna Willians can you email me please? [email protected]
My nursing license were suspended in 2010 I need 8 hrs of volunteer work in order to reinstate my license were would I find a place that will help me do my hours.
My nursing license has been suspended because federal did not respond fast enough with proof to IL I did not file taxes certain years I did not work!
I hope you can help, my nursing license was suspended in 2003 because I took a substance out of the nursing home that I was working on and they suspended my license and I want to get it back so terribly bad what steps and actions must I take please help
My nursing license was suspended after my handicapped child was removed by relatives on and off again without my permission. I lost my job and my home. I need to work and have a suspended license put of the whole ordeal over my travels. I did not commit a crime. How can I get my license reinstated or have them remove it from the computer?
I have a suspended license until I can come up with $650 to under go an evaluation. I DEARLY WANT TO HELP during this Covid crisis, I’m saddened to be at hone and wish to be on the front lines helping the communities and my peers. Any thought or ideas of how I can GI about this.
Hi Christina, I would contact your state board of nursing and see if they have a recommendation about how you can help. Otherwise, you might want to seek advice from a nurse attorney. You can find one here: https://taana.org/
I just recently got out of federal case. My licence is suspended. I went to Illinois professional regulation. Was given a lawyer. What are the steps I can start preparing now since the lawyer will not be available for months
I had my RN license suspended and now it’s revoked. I have had an amazing career in Maryland and Florida. I had a severe car accident fx my cervical and lumbar spine. Was not expecting to walk again. U shared with a new therapist I was having trouble with my pain meds. I wasn’t working due to the disability and had never had any issue, administrative discipline nothing. I was in hospital having one of many surgeries. Missing the meeting.. I then meet with the Dr for the nursing board. The report was so grossly untrue (example that I’ve been doing cocaine and pot since I was yrs old. If any of the allegations were true not only would I have died in childhood much less have a successful career including
Charge RN at Johns Hopkins Pediatrician/Adolescent psych, Emergency Charge RN preceptor for the paramedic students and nursing students, etc. Not one employer complains or let me go. I was in no physical shape to fight and I’m now faced with having to pay the whole amount of court costs before I can even apply for new license. The false slanderous Report from the Board physician is attached to any background check from jobs apartments everything. It’s drastically effected my self worth and I’m now ready to try to regain my hard earned RN title but now who will hire me. I’m tired of giving up and really want to help during this crisis. Any suggestions. My license in Maryland was in good standing but has expired these last several years. Any help would be greatly appreciated
I had my nursing license suspended in 2015. I would like to know what i should include in my statement letter to the board of nursing. It was suspended due to addiction and I have been in recovery for years but always afraid that I wouldn’t be granted my license back. Any recommendations are appreciated.
Hi holly, I’m not sure if you will see this but I’m in the EXACT same position but am finally making my attempt of getting my license back. I’ve also been in recovery since 2015 but HPRP was very hard to comply with back then with my situation. How is it going for you?
Hello Holly, I’m in the same position. I would love to find out what you have done to get your license back. Please help! Thanks Kathy
My license expired during Covid and I’m trying to get it reinstated. The school district closed down and they just started reopening. I have left messages when I called the board and they don’t have anyone in the office to answer the phone.
Thank you
Had my license suspended after I put them on inactive status. Contacted the board before taking the course to get them back active and had no violation prior to inactive status. Took the course and CPR and FBI background check that came out favorable. Past the class but could not find any company to allow me to do 60 hr clinical. Almost every company that interview me drills me on my last employment status as if they where lawyers working for the company I resigned from to in my opinion retaliation and harassment. It like they let me get my license off inactive status to revoke them ( keep in my I never worked because they did not let me). Then when COVID came and the nursing need I fell under the studen graduate. So my license was reinstated encumbered status. I never work but when on interview and question several company COVID practices. Next thing I know my license was being investigated and revoked.
I had my nursing license suspended in 2015. I would like to know what I should include in my statement letter to the board of nursing. It was suspended due to addiction and I have been in recovery for years but always afraid that I wouldn’t be granted my license back. Any recommendations are appreciated.
My CNA license was suspended due to a possession charge which has since been dismissed from my record. I want to know if my CNA license will continue to be suspended or if the state will now reinstate it? Or if it’s not reinstated by the DOH, will they at least be willing to shorten the suspension time and give me the opportunity to just enter into the RAMPS program without waiting the 3 years as they originally required? I have already went through a treatment program and have been sober for a year. I am now in a drug assisted treatment program and have been for over a year.
Hello,
You’d need to contact your state’s licensing board for information on how to reinstate your license. You may need to submit proof that the charge was dismissed from your record and of the completion of the treatment program. This depends on the state’s policies, but the sooner you contact your licensing board, the sooner you can get started on gathering up the documentation they need and resume your CNA career. Good luck!
I’m in that same boat John. Any advice?
There seems to be no “forgiveness” in this career. I had my nursing license suspended. I volunteered prior to them taking the license, in 2012.
I was being charged with 3 felonies (I was guilty) of prescription fraud. Upon criminal charges brought, my sentence was drug court (a little over 3 years program). Long story, I attended in-patient residential program, after completing I finished a 10 week intensive outpatient treatment program, and a year of aftercare. During that time- I obtained employment with agency (DMH certified) for over 8 years. Facilitating peer recovery in the community as well as in the treatment center. I actually enjoy it. During that time my record was expunged and I begin to think of re-entering this field. I had previously worked as an LPN for 10 years- which opened the door at the time to narcotics when my parents died and I became mentally unable to get through. I since have gained a lot of wisdom and knowledge on how to process things clearly. Anywho, I presented the MBN on a zoom conference to ask for consideration of reinstating the license. I had sent in 3 years of drug screens, my completion of programs, my employment/other affidavits. I knew there would be limitations and restrictions seeing how I left such a mess prior. But… the program in Mississippi isn’t concerned of rehabilitation so much as the moral impart that led someone to hopeless. I received the max of stipulations as someone whom had not did any recovery program.
A 5 year sentence of probation by BON, I was to work only in hospital setting no open field career, drug screen test for 5 years, fees as long as I was on probation, getting my CEU caught up, getting a psych screen and a alcohol/drug screen, attend Aftercare for a year – which I had completed and working that position already!!! It went on and on and on. I got so discouraged. It was humiliating all over again and I did not pursue anymore.
I just don’t understand how the program can be so hard during a time with Covid and such a need for nurses. The system is so backwards and the ones that attempt to get back on the path cannot pursue because they have already been set down again.
I’m sorry for this rant – I came across this and thought I feel for those that do love the career but cannot work as a nurse. I understand somewhat of the concerns of putting someone back into an environment that is ethically and morally needed. But I have not even a ticket in that 12 year timeframe.
What do I do if an RN does some fraud with her working hours and needs to pay the agency back some of the amount that she gathered while claiming false hours?
I was charged with a felony in 2011 for stealing pain pills from a family member. I was not working as a nurse at the time; I was on social security disability. I don’t know where my license stands. I want to know if I am able to work part time in home care as a companion or a caregiver because I’m still on disability but need to supplement my income to get by financially. There are no further legal charges on my record.
Hello Mary Ann,
You can try using the Nursys Quick Confirm system to see if your license is active and unencumbered: https://www.nursys.com/LQC/LQCSearch.aspx. For a deeper diver into the status of your license, you may have to call your state board of nursing.
Good luck and thank you for your question.
Please help!
As a travel nurse, I failed a pre-employment drug screening for THC in Nov 2021. I reached out to my travel recruiter regarding this and was ultimately reported to the board of nurses before getting a chance to self report. I began a one year probationary period in April 2022, and in Nov 2022 I was told I had a diluted test. My license is now suspended. Is there anything I can do?