recovering

Nurses Recovery

Published

Hi I am about to be 21 next month, im a wife and a mother of an 11 month old. I just finished my first semester of college with a 4.0 and just recieved my acceptance letter into a nursing program. Now something most people do not know is that I am a recovering heroin addict! I am very nervous because I am setting up an appointment with the nursing professor and I am not sure what will result from me telling her this. I was 18 and addicted for 10 months. I have gone to rehab, I have gone to the psych ward 2 times for the addiction all before I was 19. My sobriety date is July 2, 2009 and I was pregnant in October of 2009. I have moved out of my hometown, I have surrounded myself with people that do not drink, smoke or even know that I had all of growing up. I have completely turned my life around but am nervous how this will affect becoming a nurse. Does anyone know of anyone in a similar situation that can tell me how it worked out? Also when I was 16 I recieved a felony as a result of drinking and driving, so I contacted my states board of nursing and they said that it can not affect me as long as I am honest about it. Please no harsh judgement I was young and in a bad situation. Thank you for any help or advice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know how or if it will affect you, but I just wanted to say congratulations on being clean for so long! I know it's a tough drug to kick. Good for you for doing it AND making something better of your life!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you very much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No advice here either, but wanted to say Congratulations as well. You should be so proud of yourself!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you I am. It has been a long and difficult road, but well worth it. The good days are starting to outweigh the bad, which helps considering the cravings can still be difficult.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I posted about being bipolar and going to nursing school the other day. I was so worried that I would be judged, but thought it was important to see if others were going through or have gone through the same thing.

Kudos to you for being brave enough to be honest bout yourself and your concerns. I can relate to how hard it is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Let me move this the nurses and recovery forum.

Best wishes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just an update. I went to speak with the nurse department and she frowned and told me that its not up to her its up to the BON. I should call them although most likely they will just tell me that its a case by case judgement, so if I decide to continue nursing there is a possibility that i will get denied, because I have bipolar also adding ontop of things. I have to tell her in the next couple of days whether or not I want to go to the program still. Very discouraging, I can not get ahold of the compliance person at the BON. I have no idea what else to do with my life, nothing else catches my interest! I just wonder if I am allowed to continue do employers look differently at addicts that divert and addicts from before college?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Impaired Nurse Advocate, CRNA, ER,.
Just an update. I went to speak with the nurse department and she frowned and told me that its not up to her its up to the BON. I should call them although most likely they will just tell me that its a case by case judgement, so if I decide to continue nursing there is a possibility that i will get denied, because I have bipolar also adding ontop of things. I have to tell her in the next couple of days whether or not I want to go to the program still. Very discouraging, I can not get ahold of the compliance person at the BON. I have no idea what else to do with my life, nothing else catches my interest! I just wonder if I am allowed to continue do employers look differently at addicts that divert and addicts from before college?

Have you considered becoming a chemical dependency counselor? Lot's of recovering folks become excellent counselors.

Jack

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am the original OP, with a changed username and I have an update.

I was an alcoholic from the age of 13, and the alcoholism turned into a drug and eventual IV heroin addiction at 18. During that time I received a "underage drinking", and "aggravated vehicular assault". The "aggravated vehicular assault" is the equivalent to a third degree felony but I was charged as a juvenile since I was 16 at the time so I have nothing on my record. I had been an emotional wreck since I was 11 and was diagnosed as bi-polar during my teen years. I went to the psychiatric ward twice and an in-patient rehab one between Oct. 2008 and March 2009. I was a HORRIBLE teenager that hated myself and did whatever I could to hurt myself (emotionally).

Things changed when I met my husband when I was 18 and a half. He gave me the ultimatum to choose him or drugs, and I have been completely sober/clean since July 2, 2009- one week after my 19th birthday. I got clean to please him at first. Then I got pregnant two months after sobriety, so I stayed clean for my child. Being a wife and mother helped give me a sense of purpose and eventual love for myself. When my son was 6 months old I decided to go to nursing school- because I wanted to give my son a good life. I did very well the first semester of school, which really started building my confidence in myself. I got accepted after my first semester of nursing school and soon really started improving my life for myself. I began to see that I was worth more than I ever thought, and that I deserved to have a "normal" life.

I worked very hard in school. As you can see from above I informed the program director about my situation who really encouraged me not to continue in the nursing program (soon after the first semester she changed her tune though after seeing how hard I worked). Since I started school the fear of not being granted a license has been there constantly. I used that fear to excel in school. I didn't make excuses, I worked my behind off, I graduated valedictorian of the nursing class, and I was truly grateful to be in school. I love learning and have found every class useful- from art to nursing. I enjoy learning because I have let it change me and mold me into a better person. R

Back to my licensing information...

I started going to therapy at the beginning of nursing school so that I could have proof that I am of sound mind. He seen that I have anxiety and depression, and am not bi-polar. I have been on antidepressants ever since, and they work great for me. I see a psychiatrist and psychologist regularly, and they both sent the BON a report.

In December of 2012 I was getting ready to start my last semester of nursing school, I then began to search for a lawyer because I knew that it was time to start getting my application ready. Before hiring a lawyer I told my new program director and professors about my past in order to get their opinions on what I should do and so I could ask them to write me reference letters. They told me that I shouldn't hire a lawyer, but I had done my research and knew better. I searched around and interviewed several license defense lawyers until I found the one that best suited me.

We started working on past medical records that included: records from the psych ward, counseling, rehab, juvenile records. We then worked on the records that showed rehabilitation which included: my transcripts, awards for being at the top of the class, reference letters from all of my professors, evaluations from my psychologist and psychiatrist. My application ended up being about 400 pages long. I graduated in May and sent my paperwork in, in the beginning of June.

I knew what I was up against and prepared for the worst, yet I can not explain what torture it was waiting for any word from the BON. I finally got a letter from them at the end of October, they required me to go to a psychiatric evaluation 7 hours away with a $3000 cost. Luckily I was able to come up with the money miraculously. I had my appt about a month later. The appt went very well and I started waiting again. I continued to check the BON license verification website everyday hoping to see something other than "pending", but never did in the 200+ times that I checked it.

My BON only meets for two days every two months so I knew that I wouldn't hear something from them until somewhere between February and April. On Friday I did my usual BON check and it said "eligible to test"!! I couldn't believe it, but I checked my e-mail and there was my ATT. I was so excited that I could finally test, even though I knew that it didn't mean that they were licensing me or licensing me without restrictions.

My attorney pushed for no restrictions, stating that there was a ton of evidence showing my recovery- which is why I think they had me go to a well known psychiatrist across the state (others that have been in my situation have been allowed to go to ones in our town). Today I got a letter from the BON stating that no disciplinary action is being taken and that after I pass the NCLEX I will have an UNRESTRICTED license:)

It has been emotionally draining and exhausting. I did my research and knew what I was up against and knew that I would have to wait longer than everyone else but it was still a roller-coaster and extremely discouraging at times. Despite all of this I would do it again because it is what I am meant to do (even though I didn't realize it at the beginning of nursing school). I have fallen in love with nursing and can not wait to work.

There are always going to be negative nancy's but it is up to you to never give up on yourself and work for your dreams. I am so proud of the person that I have become, and that is what it is really all about!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You are an inspiration. Life can be so difficult sometimes, you have worked so hard. Sweat and tears are truely healing waters. Thank you for coming back and updating everyone on your situation. Often times we come to these sites because we are desperate and fearful. It is posts like yours that give hope. Please keep coming back to let us know how everything is going. Even if it is just to say "work today was amazing". Your story is more healing than you know!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Awesome!! That is excellent news!

Anne, RNC

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment