Prior Rehab Haunt Me?

Since medical records are confidential, I'm not sure how they would find out you went to treatment. Do you have any legal issues as a result of your drinking/partying? DUI, assaults, domestic violence, etc? They ask if you've ever been treated for drug or alcohol abuse on your application for licensure and renewal. If you answer no and they somehow find out you've been through treatment, you could have a problem. The only way to get a definitive answer is to contact the board of nursing or an attorney. A common comment is, "I can't afford an attorney." The real question is, can you afford NOT to have an attorney? A strong suggestion for all nurses is to obtain your own professional liability insurance, including licensure defense. For $100 - $500/year, it's a real bargain and one of the best "investments" you can make when you begin to practice nursing. That way, if any problems arise where-in a board of nursing investigation takes place (drugs, malpractice, whatever) your attorney's fees would be covered. Never, EVER rely soley on the insurance your employer provides. That insurance is designed to protect your employer and their business and the attorney has the business interest, not the nurse's.

Jack

Hello and welcome spinetilt ! I agree with Jackstems response " Since medical records are confidential, I'm not sure how they would find out you went to treatment. Do you have any legal issues as a result of your drinking/partying? DUI, assaults, domestic violence, etc? They ask if you've ever been treated for drug or alcohol abuse on your application for licensure and renewal. If you answer no and they somehow find out you've been through treatment, you could have a problem " Any legal issues must be addressed with honesty and integrity , but if you have never had any legal problems DO NOT under any circumstances contact your Board of Nursing with any questions concerning prior rehab . Their job is to protect the public from impaired nurses . They can and probably will prevent you from taking your boards . You will be required to be evaluated and then placed in a mandatory monitoring program with random drug testing and required weekly group meetings for a period of five years. You will also have to tell any prospective employer that you are being monitored for drug and alcohol use .
You need to consult with an attorney who represents nurses . I am telling you this due to my own experience . A positive pre-employment drug screen that was not accurate has left me in financial ruin after a spotless 20 year career. I have no narcotic restriction and only a two year contract , but have not been able to find work .
Drug abuse and drinking are very serious problems and if you are still partying stop right now and go back to rehab. But if you are clean this is not an issue you want to expose . Good luck my friend ...

You should be alright, as long as you don't have a criminal record. I went through nursing school with not one but two students who had been on 72-hour involuntary psychiatric holds in the past, and it was never an issue for them regarding licensure or getting jobs.

If it helps, I had been to rehab (state run, naturally) 3x by the time I was 24, a full 10 years before I applied for licensure. I checked "yes" on the app as it was appropriate. I had to appear in front of the BON to explain myself. I was much like you, in a phase. They cleared me to sit for testing free and clear. Some folks that were ahead of me were cleared for a probationary license, but their issues were much more recent than mine. It is as nerve-racking a situation as any I've ever been through, but you'll come out OK. I did.