Feeling down

[littleBit28]

Hey guys :) im new here obviously, but im going to sharemy story. Ill have questions at the end that...if anyone can help give guidance or potential answers...would be amazing!

I graduated nursing school in 08. Worked at a hospital for a year and then moved on to a private duty homecare company. In mid 2011 i developed an opiate addiction. I wasnt stealing from clients and i wasnt messing up at work. My license expired in Oct '11. And i left it expired, i didnt want to be a junkie and risk working. So for the next few years i got worse and worse and ended up on heroin. By the grace of god im clean today. On my first 60days clean i relapsed and i was given a MIS POSS charge. I went to a detox, and ive gone to meetings. I did some IOP. Im coming up on my 8 months clean. Ive never been happier or healthier. However i have many legal battles im pulled into thanks to my ex. Im currently fighting 2 Mis theft charges both with consp, and 3 felony charges for burglary RSP and consp (these will most likely be dropped as my car was stolen then used for the crime).

My questions are...(i live in PA)

1. i havent reported anything to the BON bc i havent been convicted yet and my license is expired. Should i wait for the outcomes?

2. Is it even possible to get my nursing license back if i do get these charges?

Any and all advice appreciated! Thank you :)

And to some of the other people on here...i know your struggle. Losing nursing has been the hardest part of my life. I was a great nurse. Its the one thing in life i found that i am so good at, and ill be heartbroken if i cant go back...

[Oogie]

I would think it best to tackle the problems you have now 1st before talking with the BON. Reinstating your license will have its own set of problems. Why stack more on your shoulders with so many unknowns about your current problems, and could potentially send you off the wagon. Peace

[Tigerboy1]

Unfortunately even if your license was reinstated lets say on probation for 5 years I feel you would have a very difficult time finding a job with a felony.. So happy your clean and wish you much luck..

[Twoyearnurse]

Take it easy and focus on what is on your plate first. That's a lot of stress to handle right now. See what the outcome of your legal troubles is and then look up your states nurse practice act- it should tell you what sort of barriers to practicing exist for certain crimes.

[catmom1, BSN, RN]

Even with the felony, it is not necessarily hopeless. I interviewed with a nurse who was hired as a manager with a religious charity's drug treatment center. She had drug felony convictions and has since moved on to working in a plastic surgeon's office (or so I have heard).

On the other hand, a felony does make it tougher to find work and littleBit28 will have to decide if the struggle for a nursing job is worth it or if another line of work might be best.

Catmom :paw:

[1sttime]

I would work on doing anything I could to avoid a felony conviction first. No matter the career field that will make it tougher for you. I also agree that waiting on the BON is a good idea- my experience has been that the BON will take their time. Then when they present something to you want a response immediately- it is a pretty stressful experience.