[Yoda]

*trigger icon because I was battered woman and killed to stay alive*

I have not worked since Sept 1999 on the day when my BF came to the hospital where I worked and threatened to kill me right there. The hospital had always been my safe place and I totally freaked out and began crying and was unable to continue my shift and left and went to a domestic violence shelter. I moved back home two weeks later when my BF agreed to counseling but that didn't work and ultimately I shot and killed him in Sept 2000.

My brain at that point was fried. I was by then on social security disability and and did not expect to ever recover enough to work again. The PTSD still affects me but I have now regained my functioning more than I ever thought I could. I was in a psychiatric hospital for five weeks after his death and again another ten or so times for about a week, usually when the anniversary of the shooting was making my PTSD extreme. I have not been in the hospital for two years now. I think the last time I was hospitalized was when the guy in Canada on a Greyhound got decapitated and while I don't watch TV news just reading that on the internet was enough to set my PTSD going again because my BF had often told me he was going to cut off my head and put it on a stick.

I also have had ADHD and bipolar all my life which were not treated until I was in my late 30's but they do not interfere with my functioning with my current med regimen.

I have renewed my RN license and plan to complete a RN refresher course which will consist of self study CEUs, some classroom lectures and then working in the clinical area again with a preceptor. The program is individualized and I would like to prepare to return to work in critical care again although I am not yet certain which specific unit or hospital. I could also teach ACLS again; I taught for ten years and they paid me to teach so that would be easy money.

Today I received my RN license reinstatement. Also included was a letter from the board of nursing asking me to submit an explanation to the board office about my disability.

I do not think that my mental illness limits my ability to competently work as a RN. Actually the biggest challenge is going to be the effects of my asthma, I believe.

So what do I say to the board of nursing? It's a really long story that I don't think they probably need or want to hear but I don't want to be deceptive and minimize anything. Also I really don't think I want to say that I killed my BF because even though the law says that it was self defense and I acted as a reasonable, prudent person I don't want to freak them out.

To completely understand is the long story. The whole story would probably be a book or a movie but I just want them to know I've been through some ****, I have had a lot of therapy and I am never going to be the same person but I can be a competent RN.

But do they need to completely understand or do they just need to know I've had issues, I'm under a doctor's care and I am now stable and competent? I have an appointment Monday afternoon with my Pdoc so will ask his input and consider if he should submit a letter. Hoping you folks can help me think this through to make some notes to talk to my doc about best direction to go with this.

I don't want to say too much or too little. I was an expert critical care nurse before and I believe with the refresher course and a senior nurse that can mentor me for a few months I will do fine. Now how do I explain this to the RN board?

All ideas welcome!

Hello, Yoda. It seems odd to me that your license has been reinstated yet the the board of nursing now wants you to submit an explanation about your disability. Why did the board not ask for an explanation before reinstatement if the members had concerns?

A letter from your psychiatrist likely would be useful but there are some matters you may want to consider. Is the psychiatrist of the opinion you remain disabled despite the progress you have made and assuming you continue receiving treatment?

You may want to look at the Ticket to Work programs: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10095.html

You may also want to familiarize yourself with The Americans with Disabilities Act to see if you qualify for reasonable workplace accommodations should you require one or more: http://askjan.org/links/adasummary.htm

If you intend to work full time you may find yourself ineligible for disability payments. Of course, you are to be commended for being able to work again.

In my view, the letter should simply state the illnesses you have been diagnosed with, how the illnesses were treated - medications, inpatient treatment and therapy - and that you are now stable. The board members may want some assurances patients will not be at risk under your care. They may also want to know if an employer will have to make any accommodations for you. I expect the members' concerns would be less if you taught.

Unfortunately, I am speculating. One thought is for you to call the board and ask them what information they are looking for and any particular issues they want addressed.

[saywhat?]

Hey Yoda! My two cents from a slightly similar situation.... regarding disability in relation to a state issued license (also in the medical field). My state board requested information on my disability and I stressed and stressed but wound up sending in everything I could think of including the good, the bad and the ugly thinking that it was better to give more info so as not to appear deceptive, like you mentioned in your post. The joke was on me, b/c they didn't WANT all the down and dirty details! I got a follow up phone call from someone at the licensing office to clarify the situation and the person stated that I only needed to give the information specifically requested in the letter. So my advice is to read their written request VERY CAREFULLY and provide exactly what is asked for and no more. Even in the medical field you have rights to preserve some privacy. If the written request you received isn't precise in it's wording, call them to clarify like Byzantine mentioned. Good Luck to you!

(((Yoda)))---Been there--don't stress!! NYS wanted nada, just an explanation of where I was, I told them I was unwell, due to many familial troubles. It ended there.

saywhat?--has said it already. It'll be okay. Wishing you all good things--pax-theo

[Elysium]

Yoda,

Take it from a fellow RN who's been down this road!! They are on a need to know basis. Do not get into details of anything with them. All you legally have to provide is the name of your disability and if you have in the past or are currently getting treatment for it.

At this point, the less you say the better. If you get into a big story the investigators will push and prod more and more....and the investigators are NOT the Board of Nursing....they are contracted by the Board to do gather info and present it to them.

Just give them the facts.....state the name of the disability, and if you're in treatment. I wouldn't give them much more than that as they do not need to know. Something I was told by Board investigators at one time was that their primary concern was patient and community safety. They are not there to support the Nurses, they are their to do their jobs, which usually involves digging their dirty little fingers into every nook and cranny of peoples lives because people think they have to tell them everything. You don't have to tell them everything. They are on a need to know basis.

If they send your response to the Board, and it is not good enough to appease them, you may consider obtaining an employment attorney to assist you with your communications. They will make sure your rights aren't violated.

Keep us posted.

[Yoda]

Thanks for the responses. The less I say, the better it will be, I think.

How about 'bat shi- crazy'?

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by TheByzantine

Hello, Yoda. It seems odd to me that your license has been reinstated yet the the board of nursing now wants you to submit an explanation about your disability. Why did the board not ask for an explanation before reinstatement if the members had concerns?

Odd indeed. I have my physical license they sent that says I am licensed as a registered professional nurse and when I went to the online site and looked for the status of my license it says 'active'.

The letter is from the executive director of the RN board and says they have received my reinstatement app on which I stated I was disabled. Submit an explanation to the board. blah blah blah Work within the confines of your condition.