Hello.

I am a CNA, and reported an intoxication infraction to the Board of Nursing. I received it before I became a CNA. I am starting nursing school in January.

My intox charge was received on private property, I was driving or harming anyone or being loud. I actually hurt myself on accident and the police came with the ambulance and I was cited for intoxication. This was in a different state and the state I reside in now and am trying to get a nursing license in does not have this charge. So if I had this same situation in this state, nothing would have happened to me.

However, I will admit that my drinking was out of control for about 6 months preceding and following my divorce. I decided I needed a mental break and wanted to learn new coping skills and was worried i was headed down a bad path so I checked myself into a really nice rehab that my insurance covered.

The BON has issued a letter of concern and I have to go and get evaluated. The evaluator wants my fingerprints, medical records from my most recent physical and asks if I've ever received any mental or substance abuse treatment.

I'm generally a very honest person, but I'm on the fence here. I don't drink anymore, and before my 6 month meltdown I never drank more than 1 or 2 drinks. I don't want to disclose that I went to rehab and my doctor prior to this one has it in his notes that I went to rehab. So I don't want to disclose those records either.

Is this a bad idea? Should I just accept an encumbered license and be honest with them about it? I understand that they are trying to protect the public but I've read a lot of yalls stories on here and other places and I've seen the BON take things way too far. Not to mention I definitely don't have the income as a student and cna to go through all the drug tests and classes because this evaluation place doesn't accept insurance.

I don't want a permanent mark on my record for a 6 month divorcee meltdown that I got myself help for and haven't had an issue since.

Wasn't driving*

I'll tell you what happened to me. I was reported for abusing a non-controlled substance by my doc. When I was evaluated, I denied a prior substance abuse history because, like you, I didn't want to get myself into any hotter water than I already was. Truth be told, I never went to rehab for my earlier opiod substance abuse. But I did disclose it to my shrink. I cleaned up on my own, but much later, I started abusing this other med.

The monitoring program requested a ton of medical records...including my shrink's. So I was busted for my opioid abuse too because they read it in my records.

If it's at all discoverable in the medical records you will have to submit, I would definitely fess up. Otherwise, you can take the gamble, but it may not pan out. It's a tough choice and I don't know what to tell you.

Best wishes to you.

Thanks for your response.

Is there a way for them to find out if I haven't disclosed all of my medical records? Can I just skip certain ones or do they have some type of database where they can see that I left some out?

You can certainly hide the fact that you went to rehab. The only records they will have are what you give them. There is no datebase.

However, they might very well want you to go to rehab if you say you never went, depending on how your eval goes. So I don't know if it's really in your best interest to say you never went. On the other hand, some states want you to only go to certain rehabs and they might still make you do it again even if you tell them you did already.

If you do hide the fact that you went to rehab, I assume you are going to try to tell them it was a one time thing, this intoxication charge. You run the risk of them thinking you are in denial. They might be very suspicious. Most people who do not have a problem do not get an intoxication charge and they know that. So be careful.

I would contact a lawyer that specializes in nurse licenses for your state for further advise. All of the states have different policies and operate differently so it would be really impossible to get good advise on here.

You may want to consider consulting a lawyer and follow their advice, regarding records.

Just my opinion. I really wish I would have obtained an attorney. Money was too tight for me and it may not have made ANY difference. but, still, I have regrets about not doing it.

Good luck to you and remember, we are here for you.

Thanks for your response.

Is there a way for them to find out if I haven't disclosed all of my medical records? Can I just skip certain ones or do they have some type of database where they can see that I left some out?

In what year did all this happen?