Many Strikes on record, should I forget this career

Nurses General Nursing

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As I got further into picking this career, researching schools and just about to register and begin. I found out the strikes that are against me, most advice is to forget it. I have a record that includes drug possesion, misdemeanors that led to diversion, a wet wreckless (which is a lower dui charge), and a vandalism charge. Firt off this is embarrassing to admit, but I figured I had to suck it up and get some opinions. I understand that the burden of proof is up to the person. The more I read threads people all seemed to say as long as you didn't have a drug charge you should be able to take the licensing exam. I went through period in my life where my illness as an undiagonosed bipolar got the best of me. I found myself in some situations (yes all my fault) where I tried somethings that were inapropriate and disgusting. self medicating with alcohol, I tried methamphetamine, it was in my system a terrible horrifying memory where I was later arrested for an outburst in public and it was found in my system. I did diversion for 15 weeks and never did it again. MY other charge was a 1 gram marijuana possession. The vandalism charge was from a car that almost turned to hit me and I smacked it. On paper I can see everyone saying this man would make a unstable nurse he should forget it. In the last two years I got my illness diagnosed and have been as stable as ever. With proper meds and AA I am functioning perfectly. It probably is to little to late. The main thing is I would of never picked this career if it wasn't for my direct experience with how much nurses had touched me in hospitalizations. I love working with people, used to be a successful personal trainer. Yes I had to start my life over but still missed that personal contact a job like nursing offers. I am by no means use drugs, made a few bad decisions when I wasn't functioning on all cylinders and now that I want to restart my life and give back what I have learned, and with even greater compassion and appreciation its probably to late. I want to know if anyone knows of anyone turned down for the test? Do all these strikes against me mean turn and run from this career? Or is there some small chance I could actually explain myself in the burden of proof colum to the board. Thanks for anyone that took the time to read this. I doubt it is anything you all have experienced before defenitely not the intended course I planned. thanks

DST

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Just an opinion. I'm no expert. Without a doubt, you will have to mitigate your past with a long period of sobriety and good references from employers, etc. If you don't have your pre-requisite courses, you can start on them and pull down some good grades. (Even if you don't end up using them to get into nursing school, the credits can be applied to other majors.) Solid accomplishments demonstrate your new direction.

I think you should also talk with someone at your State Board of nursing. There are impaired nurses in every state who are in AA and other programs, so drug use per se is not a disqualifier. (My brother is an RN who failed a drug test. His license transfer from another state was held up, but he got it resolved.)

I don't think it's hopeless yet. Get some more information.

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I agree with tulip-you should do some research into what your state mandates for nursing licensure. Once you find that out, and if it seems possible, go and start getting your prerequisite classes done-and get the best grades that you are capable of; then if you discuss you situation with the nursing school-you may be able to show them by your pre-req grades that you are a student who is committed to success.

All you can do is try-and check other states as well. Also if you see any kind of counselor or support group, ask them for their input about possiblities. And remember even if it takes awhile, that just means that you are further distanced from your past-that will just become a positive in your favor. Let us know what happens!

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I also agree with the others who say to check with your state board of nursing. And mainly I wanted to say congratulations on getting your life back on track, and I hope it works out for you. I'd imagine your experiences could be an advantage to you in a way, b/c you'd have that empathy for other people who might be in similar situations that you were in.

Good luck! :)

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Specializes in ER.

I agree with the above posters - your goal is not necessarily a lost cause. E-mail or write to your state's board, and ask your specific questions, and just see what they respond. A letter from your psychiatrist/counselor who helps you manage your bipolar disorder may be helpful when it comes time to actually take the boards and get licensed, as well as for getting into nursing school. Nursing school at least should be understanding that undiagnosed mental illness can cause people to act in inappropriate and destructive ways. As for the board, all I can say is ask, and if they say that you won't be allowed to take the boards in that particular state, start searching other state's boards - if you want to do nursing badly enough, you may have to start in a more lenient state until you have experience and enough time passed from your previous unhealthy actions. Good luck - you sound like the kind of person we need in nursing; kind, compassionate, and responsible enough to own up to your previous mistakes. I wish you all the best! :balloons:

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Taking the boards isn't likely going to be a problem. Getting a job, however, is another story. Nurse employers hold us to an extremely high standard and do extensive background checks.

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Specializes in Oncology, Hospice, Research.

Questionscurious...I wish you the best of luck and congratulate you on getting your act together!! That can't have been easy. One thing to consider is if nursing is right for YOU ...not whether you are right for nursing. I love being an RN and I champion it to anyone who will listen but it isn't for everyone. One consideration for you is that it can be VERY stressful and we don't all thrive in high stress environments. While you undoubtedly have the interest and caring and aptitude, you may want to consider other, less stressful patient care jobs. Your ongoing good health is important too!

I went to nursing school with a very smart, outgoing, warm compassionate man who also had a bipolar disorder. He was able to manage it well with medications and he seemed to have everything under control. He broke down during our last year, was admitted to a psychiatric facility and ultimately dropped out of nursing school. I spoke with him later and he felt like the stress of school and patient care was too much. It just wasn't an optimal environment for him.

Take care and good luck with whatever you choose. :nurse:

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Not trying to sound harsh or uncaring but, If I were in your situation I would definitely contact my state board of nursing and the school I was about to attend and be up front and honest with them. The last thing you want to do is go thru the Hell of Nursing School only to be told you can't sit for your boards. I have seen this happen on more than one occasion, where a person made it all the way thru nursing school only to be told by the state board of nursing they can't take their boards. You need to find this out before you start.

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Do you have a job now? If not, get hired wherever you can. Volunteer if you must and treat it as if you are the most grateful person on the planet.

Be honest. Be upfront.

Be on time.

Show up, sober, for ever shift.

Have a Miss America smile plastered on your face. Be courteous to your manager, even if s/he is young enough to be your kid (s/he probably will be).

Be a good team player.

Treat every customer as you would your grandmother.

Be responsible in your new duties, even if you are working at McDonald's for minimum wage. Or volunteering at the local pet shelter.

Your goal is not financial indepenence just yet. It is proving that you are responsible.

Get over the notion that you 'have made bad choices'.

You, (I'm assuming you are over 18) are an adult who made a decision(s) that caused ill consequences to you, and that may follow you around for some time to come.

Stating you 'have made bad choices' you appear to be attempting to absolve yourself of some of the responsibility. You cannot do that in nursing -- the buck stops with you.

The drug diversion is one you will have to work through. Your details are a vague.

I have seen very few nurses go through the steps necessary to get a bedside job handling narcotics with a drug diversion on their record. The generally end up in a desk job, and without a BSN or experience, not a job that calls for medication administration. (Employee health, physician's office)

At the very least you can expect to have dual signatures on your narc sheets, just as we did in school. It is a pain in the behind -- but it covers the facility's behind, and that is its purpose.

Diversion is serious, and you will be held to a higher standard than most. Expect random drug tests when you do get a job.

That said, I hope the best for your new-found goal.

Just remember that you will have to work harder than most and be squeaky-clean under the toughest of scrutiny.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Neuro, Critical Care.
Not trying to sound harsh or uncaring but, If I were in your situation I would definitely contact my state board of nursing and the school I was about to attend and be up front and honest with them. The last thing you want to do is go thru the Hell of Nursing School only to be told you can't sit for your boards. I have seen this happen on more than one occasion, where a person made it all the way thru nursing school only to be told by the state board of nursing they can't take their boards. You need to find this out before you start.

I agree, definitely talk to the school you will be attending. My NS does a background check of its own and tell you up front that some convictions will not allow you to do clinicals. I have a shoplifting glitch on my record from when I was young and stupid. I had it expunged but in the health field expungements don't always mean it's off your record. I called my respective BON and they told me that they take every case on a case to case basis. I was also upfront with my program and my program instructor assured me that it wouldn't stop me from completing clinicals. Just make sure you cover all your bases...it would be sooo awful to do all that work just to be told that you can't sit for the boards. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, , Home health, Education.

If nursing doesn't work out for you maybe you should think about getting into drug/alcohol counseling. One of my girlfriends had tons of trouble with addictions and finally pulled herself out of that hole, went to school for counseling and loves her work. Not only is she good at it because she's been there and done that- it means a lot more to her clients than hearing it from someone who's never walked that path before. Also, it would probably be good for your own sobriety as well. Good luck in whatever you chose!

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Not trying to sound harsh or uncaring but, If I were in your situation I would definitely contact my state board of nursing and the school I was about to attend and be up front and honest with them. The last thing you want to do is go thru the Hell of Nursing School only to be told you can't sit for your boards. I have seen this happen on more than one occasion, where a person made it all the way thru nursing school only to be told by the state board of nursing they can't take their boards. You need to find this out before you start.

I finally contacted the bon, meaning they finally got back to me after four emails and four messages. check out my latest post and see what you think.\\thanks for the advice I haven't given up yet!

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