A little help and advice please

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Hi and thank you for taking the time to read my question. I am making a career change. I am in my 40s and I want to enter nursing. The trouble is in my early twenties I had battled addiction. I have no felonies I've never been to jail but I was arrested for drunk driving more than once. This is a part of me I'm deeply ashamed of and regret. This was a very depressing part of my life and it is behind me. I had gone to treatment and since then I became a missionary I have traveled to many countries doing volunteer work. I also spent three years in Cambodia teaching English. I am now back in the United States and work at a treatment center.

A lot has changed in my life. I do want to go into nursing and many people have told me start at the door and go get CNA first. Then work towards the LPN or RN. My question is will something that happened 21 years ago halt me from going into this field? As I said I do not have a felony I have never been to jail and these crimes were misdemeanors. And very stupid. My driver's license is intact this does not even show up on my insurance.

The first question am I able to go into nursing still? Also is it plausible to find a hospital that will train for the CNA? I would rather be working and learn as I go.

Thank you so much for taking the time and have a great day.

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No this shouldn't be a problem. Good luck.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Welcome to AN.com, Myrker!

Wow! Impressive work history! Your age and story reminds me of a fella I worked with years ago who had been a successful administrator at a factory, retired in his forties, then went back to school to be a CNA because he wanted to "give something back". He went on to become an LPN and worked in a methadone clinic for years.

I don't think your past history will be any problem for you. I know of a nurse who, when he was young, was involved in drugs, an MVA and death of a friend, and went on to become a great RN. He went through treatment and was clean for years but had to jump through some hoops in order to get his license.

The members on this forum may be able to give you more definite answer to your enquiry:

https://allnurses.com/nurses-recovery/

Good luck and all the best to you, Myrker!

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Check with your state BON regarding your record. Hospitals will not train you for a CNA position, you need to get your certification on your own. Being a CNA is NOT working towards a LPN or RN degree, you must jump the hoops to licensure.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in Case manager, float pool, and more.
Check with your state BON regarding your record. Hospitals will not train you for a CNA position, you need to get your certification on your own. Being a CNA is NOT working towards a LPN or RN degree, you must jump the hoops to licensure.

Best wishes.

As stated above, CNA is not working towards your nursing career. I did get my certification many years ago through the facility ( it was a LTC, not a hospital ) I worked at to get my CNA. I don't think they do that anymore. Do check your local tech schools for options. I do feel that working as a CNA first while I went through nursing school put me at an advantage. In my opinion, working as a CNA was a good thing.

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