NC BON and past opiate abuse

Nurses Recovery

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Does anyone have experience with the NC BON and past substance history? I've been clean for the past 10 years, was on the Methadone program for 8 and have been on suboxone for the past 2 years. I start nursing this fall and have got to turn in my physical forms and do a 12 panel drug test in the next 3 weeks. I have been tapering off suboxone hoping to be off before this was due, thinking it would be a least a couple of more months. But there's no way I can be off in 3 weeks.

So I guess my questions are, can me being on suboxone prevent me from going to nursing school and if I do come off before I graduate what will happen at the NC BON regarding past abuse? Will I have restrictions on my license (which I def don't want) or since it was so long ago will I be cleared with no restrictions?

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there is another very current thread about this exact same issue......it is directly under this thread....

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

Based on your prior posts, I am assuming you also have an arrest record that you will have to divulge to the board? If it's drug or etoh related, they will want proof of rehabilitation so you may inadvertently end up having to come clean (no pun intended) about the methadone/subs...

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I do have an arrest record. A conviction from 1996. No drug related charges, but I do have two DUI's. One in 2002 and the other in 2003. I've been clean since 2004. And then from a period of 2002-2004 or 05 I have a few minor things that were dismissed (completely false by a vindictive person that led to my rough period between 2002-2004).

I've just been trying to do everything right for the past 10 years. I've straightened up my life, been clean, gotten my license back and decided to go back to school. I've made straight A's since going back, something I've never done in my life. And I'm so excited about starting nursing in the fall. I don't want to lie about anything, but I'm just scared I'll have restrictions on my license or have a stigma attached even though I haven't used in years or cannot even start this fall because of the suboxone I'm currently on.

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Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

Nursing isn't a very second-chance friendly profession, unfortunately. Not that much outside of the recovery community is...

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

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I've read this forum for a couple of years now about past abuse and criminal records and there are so many nurses that divert while practicing and I've seen where many get to keep their license or they may be suspended a bit with stipulations or restrictions. Isn't that a second chance?

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You will most certainly be on a stimulative program. Wish you the best of look.

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Thanks, but what is a stimulative program? Will I more than likely have restrictions on my license or just be monitored with drug tests, etc? I can take drug tests with no problem, go through whatever hoops I have to. I would just rather not start off as a new nurse with a restriction on my license. I haven't used in over 10 years, I can back that up with drug tests and counselor recommedations.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

I live in Louisiana- don't know how different your state would be - here you would be entering a contract of 3 years being monitored with drug screens, AA/NA and nursing support meetings, a 5 day evaluation, seeing an addictionologist, and stipulations regarding narcotic adm, not working nights, ER, ICU -

And all that would be after the BON went through all the records submitted and you were approved to take boards.

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I would expect to have stipulations. Even though you've been clean for ten years, the nursing board will likely not see it that way since you are currently on suboxone. Each state varies, but the usual restrictions are a narcotic restriction for 6 months or so, random drug screens, counseling, 12 step meeting attendance and relapse prevention sessions. Some states also have restrictions on areas of nursing that you must avoid (home health, critical care, etc) and/or night shift restrictions.

And yes, the boards will give us second chances. But unfortunately, those who hire us do not have to be so forgiving. It can be difficult to get your foot in the door. However, it is possible. I am one of those nurses who diverted and was then fired. But I've been clean now for four and a half years and am working full time in a job I love. It's a difficult and often slow moving path, but it's possible and very much worth it.

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Congrats on your clean time and I'm so happy to hear there are people that can be forgiving. I know it won't be easy for me and I knew this going in. As long as I know it's possible! I am determined and have been through one obstacle after another, but just take them as they come.

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Thread Hijack to the OP: I LOVE your screen name. My coffee came out my nose when I saw it.

Thanks for the laugh. :up:

Hijack over.

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