Former addict a nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey all I have somewhat of an ethical question. I know someone who was a big time drug addict for the better part of 10 years (ran the gammet from pot, to meth, to prescription narcotics, and I think some IV drugs). He has been clean for about 9 months or so (as far as I know). His behavor is still very odd, I think he did permanent brain damage. He very much lacks interpersonal skills, still battles paranoia from time to time, and was diagnoised as schitzophrenic while on drugs. Furthermore he has a record for assault, tresspassing, and other things. They were however dismissed from his record for good behavior as they were juvinile offenses. He has never had any drug convictions. But was abusive to his last girlfriend.

Anyway the point is he just got accepted to a nursing program and will start this fall, he passed the background check for the school. His family is all for it. But I am concerned that he will not be a good nurse for obvious reasons, also I think that nursing could potentially impede his rehab (he is not in a rehab program) b/c he would have access to controlled substances. As a RNA (he never was certified) he was fired for patient neglect, he was so awful to the patients and his attitude is about the same now as it was then. The primary reasons he wants to become a nurse is b/c he thinks he will make lots of money for little effort and can exploit the nsg shortage to do so, and b/c he will have lots of time off. I know these are very inaccurate representations of nursing ( I will be applying to nsg school soon and have worked extensively in hospitals).

Soooo my question is do I try to speak up about these things to the school, or do I just keep quite and see how he will fair in the program. My feelings are that he will not pass b/c he is obviously...you know....odd to say the least. Sigh...I am very close to the family and they are all happy about him getting in but it just doesn't seem right. I would never want him to be my nurse or anyone elses for that matter. BTW he had poor grades but I think he was still accepted b/c of the push to try and get more men into nursing. I am all for second chances or in his case 40th chances but I just wish his family would push him in a direction other than nursing. Any advice would really be appreciated. :o

P.S. I know my spelling is horrible ;)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

If nursing is truly not his calling, it will show. He will not last very long in this profession if his sole interests are earning plenty of money and having a lot of time away from work. I, personally, would allow events to take place without any outside intervention.

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thank you that was kind of what I was thinking.

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I agree with TheCommuter, it seems to me that he will never make it through the program. Nursing school is incredibly difficult and requires an awful lot of effort and dedication. Rather than seem like the villain to his family by trying to interfere, I would simply let him fail on his own. Even if by some chance he makes it through the program without people realizing his eccentricities and mental problems, he will still have the NCLEX to deal with, and that is one whopper of a weeder-outer. Just focus on your own studies and do well in school, and let the guy make his own way out of the program. Just mho.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Just focus on your own studies and do well in school, and let the guy make his own way out of the program. Just mho.
Yep. The nursing program will hand this guy more than enough rope to hang himself once they see his 'true colors'.
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I agree with the other posters. Plus, with his background, he may find out it was you who had said something and might have take some retribution toward you. Better to not get involved and let his school, future employer, or the board take action when needed.

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He very much lacks interpersonal skills, still battles paranoia from time to time, and was diagnoised as schitzophrenic while on drugs. Furthermore he has a record for assault, tresspassing, and other things. They were however dismissed from his record for good behavior as they were juvinile offenses. He has never had any drug convictions. But was abusive to his last girlfriend.

He may very well be weeded out in school because it will be hard. I felt like I had no life while in school. I have a family and had to have a lot of help from my husband and parents with my children because of the constant studying, long clinicals, and my stress level. We lost a lot of folks in our program who couldn't hack it, whether it was time managment gone wrong on their part or just not making the grade, many people with that "oh nursing is easy and you make a lot of money" attitude fail out. But, if they have that attitude and can do the bookwork and get through, they'll soon learn as new grads it's not about money and an easy job. It's hard work and it's even harder work when the pay is higher because they are trying to entice staffing due to the stress of the environment.

Soooo my question is do I try to speak up about these things to the school, or do I just keep quite and see how he will fair in the program.

My feeling is that it's not your place to just go to the school and spill everything about this guy. Maybe he will surprise you and do fine and be an excellent nurse? Since he is able to have the chance, he should have it. Success or failure is on him. The school may not even beleive you, and if they do, there isn't much they can do since he met the entrance criteria and obviously passed his urinalysis.

I can understand your concern. his history does not sound like a good match for a nurse. Especially being around a lot of sick, unstable pts, and tons of controlled substances. It sounds scary!

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I agree with TallGirlAni. And if you did say something, and he should fail, the family would always believe he would have made it if you hadn/t interfered. In other words, his failing would be all your fault! (in their eyes)

Nobody wants that...

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Specializes in MR Peds, geris, psych, DON,ADON,SSD.

In Indiana most employers do a criminal background check and if you have any assult charge you cannot work in nursing.

I dont know what state he's from but he won't make it thru nursing school so he probably doesn't have to worry about his back ground check

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Seems to me, when I was in nursing school I was so preoccupied with my studies I had little time to worry about who did what. I did have a classmate who had a felony for stabbing someone but the Board overlooked it and she's an excellent nurse. Sometimes when we find ourselves in better circumstances our behaviors change. Mental illness in and of itself isn't a reason for someone to be denied the opportunity to get into nursing. Face it, he must have done something right because he was accepted into the program. Even if his grades weren't all that great he must have met the minimal requirements which says alot if in fact this person has all the faults that you pointed out. The fact that he's been clean for 9 months is worth celebrating. And to be honest lots of nurses look for jobs where they can more money while maximizing their time with their families.

In Minnesota the Board is only concerned if you have felonies that involve harming others. I think this guy deserves the opportunity that so many others have had. Unfortunately for him his skeletons are known by someone else at the school. I say give him a chance and if he makes it that does show some level of dedication to the art and science of nursing even if you think he's doing it for other reasons. Nurses aren't without indecretions. And if he can put a dent in the shortage I am all for it.

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
...I think he did permanent brain damage. He very much lacks interpersonal skills, still battles paranoia from time to time, and was diagnoised as schitzophrenic while on drugs. Furthermore he has a record for assault, tresspassing, and other things. ... But was abusive to his last girlfriend.

... As a RNA (he never was certified) he was fired for patient neglect, he was so awful to the patients and his attitude is about the same now as it was then.

...Soooo my question is do I try to speak up about these things to the school, or do I just keep quite and see how he will fair in the program. My feelings are that he will not pass b/c he is obviously...you know....odd to say the least. ... BTW he had poor grades but I think he was still accepted b/c of the push to try and get more men into nursing. ...;)

Hello,

It seems highly doubtful to me that he will pass his clinical evalutations. Sure, he might for a little while but, if he was fired in the past as an assistant for being abusive to patients, I cannot see him succeeding in his program.

He will give himself away it seems.

Gen

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If he does make it through the program, then it's up to the BON to decide if he's safe enough to practice. At that point, if he is still the way he is now, you could express your concerns to the BON when he's ready to graduate.

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