Marijuana posession arrest. What disciplinary action from the board can be expected?

[Newshoes87]

Last year I was unfortunately arrested for marijuana posession. I just renewed my license and was wondering what kind of disciplinary action to expect. I wrote the BON a letter after it happened to let them know. I know it was stupid and I dont really need any negative comments telling me what I should have been doing. I'm a good nurse and work hard, handle my business and am a good guy. I just got in some trouble. I just wanted to know if anyone else has been in a similar situation and what ended up coming of it. If anyone has any input it would be greatly appreciated. :)

[SuzieVN]

Since you said you were arrested 'last year', it's apparent you didn't notify your BON when it happened, that you only sent them notification (the letter) when you applied to renew your license- otherwise, by now you would have been thick into the discplinary process by your BON? If that's the case, you are probably also going to be charged with unprofessional conduct, as well as face sanctions from the drug charge, for failing to notify the BON of your arrest when it happened. You can also be charged with unprofessional conduct merely by failing to inform your BON of an address change, in the timeframe they require you to.

[Newshoes87]

I just had to renew my license and send them all of my paperwork but I did notify them right after it happened too but they did not initiate any disciplinary action against me. I expected them to have already done something but when I called them they said that they do reviews and discipline at the time of renewal. Im just waiting to see what they want to do with me.

[SuzieVN]

I'm dumbfounded- they review only when you reapply for renewal? So, if you get arrested January 2013, and your renewal is due January, 2015- they do nothing until then? If that's the case, your state is odd man out.

[Newshoes87]

Apparently so. I thought i would have been dealing with some consequences by now too. I didn't want to seem like I was hiding anything so i let them know asap. Im in TX by the way, i guess thats just the way they function. I dont really get it but i'd really just like to know what they want to do to me so i can get it over with.

[SuzieVN]

Well, it's not going to be done with quickly, that's a fact. In Texas, for example, your state legislative body only meets, what- every two years, for two months, something amazing like that? So it'd figure that other state agencies, such as the BON, operate in the same part time fashion. But I have a DUI, misdemeanor- and from what I recall in Texas, the chance of me obtaining a license there was close to nill. Don't hold out false hope, but take it one step at a time. It's certainly a serious situation you will face, whenever they get around to it.