approval from BON!!!

I just wanted to leave a message of hope for anyone out there who is freaking out over an old criminal record (possession of drug paraphenalia) and being denied by the state board. 15 years ago I was arrested for a pot pipe. I was 18 yrs old at the time, young and dumb. I recently graduated from the PN program. I sent my application in, and told the truth on my background check. I was terrified to learn that the board liason wanted my application to go before the whole BON for review at their monthly meeting. My name was listed on the BON agenda with only a few others. I was so scared that the past few years of my hard work in school (along with tuition $) would be flushed down the toliet, or I would have to move to another state to work. A week after the meeting I was emailed the results. They approved me to take the NCLEX!!!

I'm telling my story because these past couple weeks I scoured the internet reading people's stories regarding criminal records and the BON, and I usually ended up in tears feeling as though their was no hope for someone with a drug related charge. I think if your charge is old and not a felony you'll be alright.