Can I become a Nurse Practioner?

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Feb 6, 2013

I think TX RN gave you a great place to start. One other thing I would consider is the school. Some applications will ask if your license has ever been placed on restrictions. There are other schools that are only interested if you have a current, unencumbered license. As I am sure you're already aware, we do not have enough practitioners, particularly in rule areas. With that being said, I would highly doubt that facilities in great need would reject a person who is up-front about his/her past and how he/she has grown from the experience.

Good luck to you in your future endeavors.

hhurley · Feb 6, 2013

Hello all, thank you for reading :)
At this time I am on probation for narcotics diversion. I was a nurse in labor and delivery.
I have now been sober for 2 years :) I do having a nursing job in my field as a WIC nurse at the health dept. Which I consider myself completley lucky as hell. I graduated from nursing school top of my class and recently decided I wanted to go back to school for my Master's in Nursing. I beleive this may help me to enter a new chapter in my life to prove to everyone and myself that I am a successful person, look what I did after my whole life went down the drain. I feel like it would help me get my confidence back. I would love to be a pediatric nurse practioner, but if I went through all that schooling and paid all that money would it all be for nothing?
My thoughts are if I specialize in Peds and work in an office I would hardly ever if at all be in the position to dispence narcotics. If for some reason that was the case my supervising physician would be able to write the script instead and it would not be a problem because of the infrequency. By the time I get done with school I would have put at least 7yrs between me and my downfall. Is there a chance for me?? What do you think?
In a year I will go before the BON to petition to get my license back unencumbered.
My restrictions right now are that I cannot pass narcotics, work nights or work more than 40hrs a week, I can't be a travel nurse. I have been in a recovery program for the last 2 yrs and have done everything asked of me. Im trying so so hard and yet I still feel like I'm at the bottom of the barrel. I recently read a quote saying "Don't let your mistakes define you"
I wish I could do that but even 2yrs out I still feel a large amount of guilt. If anyone has any advice I would love to hear it. Thanks so much for reading this book of a post.

Congrats on your sobriety! I worked in an Opiate addiction clinic and dealt with many nurses (former, restricted and not caught yet) I know the nurses that had restricted licenses had to jump through some serious hoops to be allowed to work anymore. Lots of random drug testing and fees to pay etc. I admire you for continuing and working towards a sober life and getting your full license back! Most in my experience have given up, to date I don't know of even one at my former facility that stuck with it. I don't know the BON in your state nor do I know any rules for school, but I encourage you to at least ask the questions. Be honest but also show your determination and enthusiasm, you never know. Also I would ask around at schools, and in human resources departments just to get a feel for what you'll be up against. If it's something you wouldn't be able to do, have you thought about working with addicts? It's not a glamorous job by any means, but it can be very rewarding especially for someone that has personally struggled. Good Luck!

hhurley · Feb 6, 2013

So happy to see all the positive comments on here. Thanks members of allnurses for being a supportive group. I am proud to be a member!

Tinabeanrn · Feb 6, 2013

Hi onprobation. Kudos to you for cleaning up and trying to move forward. Thats great! As to your question..Its gonna depend on your state. I think its a long shot as you will be a prescriber as a NP. Its gonna be so many barriers along the way. You have to consider being accepted in school, approved for clinical sites as they do back ground checks prior to starting clinicals, being able to apply for boards and then the DEA. And they are really cracking down here in Michigan. It seems like every day I here that some office ways raided...and its always involving Narcotics.

So I agree with a previous poster, contact your State Nursing board and local schools and get the answers in writing so you can know your options up front. Keep up the Good work! And keep progressing. That's awesome. I am very proud of you!

coast2coast · Feb 7, 2013

Gotta stick up for BlueDevil here. Like she said, it's really not about shaming the OP. I think her example of how any potential employer would view a narcotic conviction is pretty realistic.

studentnurserachel · Feb 7, 2013

I think BlueDevil and other early posters were giving a realistic response. Let's be real here, OP is in an unfortunate situation, albeit of her own making, but why waste the time to do this if there is no realistic chance of employment? I guess she could try to get answers from the BON and DEA, but if it's anything like the BON in the states I have worked in, she won't get a straight answer. She could probably get some school to admit her with enough effort, but credentialing I think is a bridge too far. I was frankly shocked by the mountain of paperwork I had to fill out to get credentialed at my facility, and that was without admitting privileges and in a state that significantly restricts NP practice anyway. I also had to file supporting paperwork for "discrepancies" in my credentialing file resulting from address changes (husband in the military). I just don't think any credentialing board, or hospital/group malpractice company is going to accept that risk. It is remarkable to have a job (and a license) at all after diversion, don't think NP is a realistic goal.

Tinabeanrn · Feb 7, 2013

Agreed studentnurserachel. I think the main thing is not what was said, but how it was said. Ya know? Don't want to come off as being mean to someone that is truly trying to improve themselves.

BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN · Feb 10, 2013

I'm honestly shocked at what I read from BlueDevil. A well-known, long-time member here with the majority of her posts falling in the pragmatic and sensible categories I can't believe what I read. I re-read, then re-read again, thinking I misread.
"Professionally speaking it would be better if you had killed someone" Really?! Wow. That's amazing.
Now, I know a thing or two about nursing boards and the consequences that follow with gross negligence or malpractice. Either of those 2 can kill someone. A board investigation that leads to licensure sanctions, stipulations on practice, suspension, denial of renovation, revocation, etc., etc., is extremely difficult to deal with. I don't think comparing it to a "drug diversion" charge is a fair analysis. They are two completely different things. To say "better to kill someone than get your drug high" is absolutely absurd. And yes, both professionally speaking and on a personal level, it's absurd.

My comment was misinterpreted. I am saying that honest human error (not malpractice or negligence) that results in even tragic patient outcomes, including death, is often more easily forgiven by professional boards than is narcotic abuse/diversion. Savvy?

I genuinely wish the OP the best, but I do think they have a very difficult road ahead of them. Perhaps it is not impossible, but I don't think they are well served by pretending that the challenge is easily surmountable. In many environments, that Scarlett letter makes them an undesirable job candidate even if they get past admissions committees, state boards and the DEA. If I were making life plans, I'd be very, very careful knowing that. And being pragmatic, as you so correctly point out, I'd be appreciative of honest appraisals of my situation.

Thanks for the vote of confidence in my intentions. As a "well-known, long-time member here with the majority of her (sic) posts falling in the pragmatic and sensible categories, I'm quite certain I deserve it.

And I am not a she, BTW. I guess I am not all that well known after all, lol.

Tinabeanrn · Feb 11, 2013

Well Said Blue Devil. I have a much better understanding of what you meant now. And Btw, I knew your were a male :).

MunkiRN, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2013

I would just like to say congratulations to the OP. Working that hard and staying motivated enough to stick with nursing is a big deal and one you should be incredibly proud of. With that said, I can see the allure of going for an NP degree as a way to show how much you have improved and that you have left your past behind you. But as many other posters have pointed out, it is a hard road that has no guarantee of being able to practice at the end. I wonder if you have thought of getting an MSN or Phd instead? You can always research or teach, your experience would be invaluable. You said you work in a public health setting, what about getting a MPH degree and work on setting policy and improving public health care and practices? There are so many ways you can keep moving forward professionally and prove to yourself that you are better then your past. Being an NP is by no means the only route for advanced nursing. Don't be discouraged, you have come this far! Just look at all the other ways you can grow and help. If you do, you will find yourself so much further then you can imagine now!

Best of luck!

TX RN · Feb 14, 2013

I'd like to start my post and reply to BlueDevil DNP (BDDNP) with a short preface of sorts.

While my response is aimed at BDDNP, the broader message is aimed at the other readers in an effort to expose the arrogance of what those in a position of some authority tout as "truth" and is nothing more than personal opinion. Opinion being a kinder term to what is otherwise obvious ignorance.

My comment was misinterpreted. I am saying that honest human error (not malpractice or negligence) that results in even tragic patient outcomes, including death, is often more easily forgiven by professional boards than is narcotic abuse/diversion. Savvy?

I am well-informed that you are very mis-informed or as you put it, not savvy.

How many board review cases have you participated in?

Wait, don't answer that.

It's a rhetorical question.

Because even if you have, what ever that number may be, it hasn't been enough.

What are you talking about? "Honest human error?"

"Easily forgiven by professional boards?"

What state do you practice in? I don't want to be treated medically there. Last thing I need is an honest human error to occur and I be left with no legal recourse.

Cases that deal with injury or death that reach the state board investigatory process because of an "error" are at a minimum due to negligence in some part.

The mission of state licensing boards is to protect the public. Not to protect those that are licensed.

A full dismissal is not happening.

Just the "risk of endangering a patient," not even actual injury, leads to some type of board disciplinary action. So I don't know where you're coming from with your statement.

I speak on professional experience as a NP that has assisted with board litigation on years of review cases. And I can tell you that none are easily "forgiven."

You can claim my response as misrepresenting your response, but it doesn't. Your statement is very clear. Here it is again:

In short, professionally speaking you would be better off if you had killed someone. It is too bad that some mistakes really do ruin the rest of your life. I do wish you the best of luck.

Misrepresented? Nah, still pretty cut and dry to me.

I genuinely wish the OP the best, but I do think they have a very difficult road ahead of them. Perhaps it is not impossible, but I don't think they are well served by pretending that the challenge is easily surmountable. In many environments, that Scarlett letter makes them an undesirable job candidate even if they get past admissions committees, state boards and the DEA. If I were making life plans, I'd be very, very careful knowing that. And being pragmatic, as you so correctly point out, I'd be appreciative of honest appraisals of my situation.

I guess I was laying it on pretty thick. Then again your response was about as tactful as Rush Limbaugh on the Affordable Care Act.

So here's exactly what I mean by someone in a position of authority speaking in a way of cleverly veiling personal opinion as truth.

Because the question is "Can I become a Nurse Practitioner?"

Not, "Would you want me to be a Nurse Practitioner in your practice?"

Your answer may as well be; Definitely NO, but maybe.

The arrogance of ignorance.

The only honest answer is, I don't know. No one here knows.

The actions I recommended the OP to take are those that many nursing school candidates take prior to applying to professional nursing programs. How do I know this? Because the smart ones request legal advice from the practice before applying, just like the OP here is.

They are those same persons that BDDNP would label as having ruined their lives.

Don't even get me started on that comment.

And believe it or not, those licensing boards respond. So candidates have an answer on what to expect before they make a financial and personal investment in a program. An answer that is in writing, so they can present it should they encounter road blocks when in pursuit of licensure.

Thanks for the vote of confidence in my intentions. As a "well-known, long-time member here with the majority of her (sic) posts falling in the pragmatic and sensible categories, I'm quite certain I deserve it.
And I am not a she, BTW. I guess I am not all that well known after all, lol.

I mean well known to the All Nurses community, not to me personally. I guess your posts came across somewhat catty. LOL

Some may wonder why I'm flaming BDDNP. The reason is because HE is DNP prepared. A higher level of responsibility is placed on an individual with that type of preparation. An initial response that reeks of ignorance and is then doubled down with arrogance when called out deserves to be flamed.

Many "students" of professional nursing and advanced practice nursing come here, to this forum in search of answers. Those of us in advanced practice should take the time to give them an honest answer. Not disparage them with calloused opinion.

Reminds me of a quote I once read.

"Those who don't know and don't know they don't know - they are fools - avoid them."

reddgirl · Feb 15, 2013

Here! Here!