Obtaining DEA licensing

Nurses Recovery

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Has anyone tried to obtain their DEA license as an APRN after having prior issues with diversion of narcotics while a beside RN? I am 3 years into my contract with my state monitoring program and will be graduating from an APRN program in May. I have no convictions or license suspensions, but a narcotic restriction was initially placed on my RN license. Also, I have been 100% compliant with my monitoring program and have had no positive urines. Just starting to get nervous about not being able to get fully licensed and credentialed once I graduate.

OhioRN1234

201 Posts

Interested to hear what others say. From my research all i could get was "it would be very difficult." My dream was to get to an NP and I feel as though its all for naught. I was one class away and only had clinical left.. 3.9 gpa and probably blew it. My heart is still broken. I pray that you get good news and find something out.

Specializes in Critical Care.

I can only speak about my experience, California. California's Diversion, or now Intervention, program, if successfully completed will have no evidence of your enrollment. In fact, my final letter states that. "All evidence of your attendance will be destroyed....please retain this letter as your only evidence you finished this. Congratulations".

On my "marbling" out, I asked if I can become an APRN or CRNA. The nice ladies of my DEC (Diversion Evaluation Committee) said Good Luck and go for your dreams!

You might want to look into how your status will look like upon completion of your program. "Probation" on the other hand, does have a record visible to the public: The "court system" vs you.

Hope this helps.

PavementRN

42 Posts

You might want to look into how your status will look like upon completion of your program. "Probation" on the other hand, does have a record visible to the public: The "court system" vs you.

Hope this helps.

Problem is, CT's program is 5 years. I still have a little over 2 years in the program. The monitoring program has only encouraged me while in my APRN program and shown no hesitation with my going back to school, so I am hoping they would not have let me even apply if they think I have a poor chance at DEA licensure.

vamurse

57 Posts

Ive also been wondering about this issue. My research has mostly uncovered that it will not be a problem for you. I know many MDs here in my states' program who have retained their DEA #s my reading has les me to believe that the federal govt. will ask questions but in a case like yours will grant prescriptive authority. Many websites i visited pointed out that denying a compliant practitioner who is in recovery would violate the americans with disabilities act

vamurse

57 Posts

Pavment: good luck with your future endeavors, i really do believe the DEA # will work out, ive researched it a lot. Please keep us informed as to how things go i was recently accepted into Waldens AGACNP program and begin at the end of this month. Congratulations on finishing your program!

Trauma Columnist

traumaRUs, MSN, APRN

88 Articles; 21,249 Posts

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Do you still have a narcotics restriction?

If so, how would you be able to prescribe narcotics with a restriction in place?

Or has the restriction been completed?

PavementRN

42 Posts

The narcotics restriction was removed after 6 months or so. I've had a per diem PACU since where I've been handling narcotics.

LibertyTX

74 Posts

I had a warning on my license for a year from the Texas BON, and I'm currently in an ACNP program. I was worried about the same thing, so I called the DEA. An investigator told me that previous disciplinary action wouldn't keep me from getting my DEA #, as long as the case was closed.

PavementRN

42 Posts

I had a warning on my license for a year from the Texas BON, and I'm currently in an ACNP program. I was worried about the same thing, so I called the DEA. An investigator told me that previous disciplinary action wouldn't keep me from getting my DEA #, as long as the case was closed.

Awesome! Thank you.

VinoLover2030

428 Posts

Specializes in lots of specialties.

Vamurse- how is Walden's program?

I am in Tx. No prob getting my DEA and I had let it expire due to fear. But I finally went forward and answered questions truthfully and had no problems!

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