argh... please help. =(

[tigertjc]

Hello, I had a question about joining a nursing program.

I received a marijuana ticket (not arrested) in California a while back in 2004 for having a 1 marijuana STEM left/dropped by a friend on the passenger floor.

I do not smoke marijuana, but I do admit at the time I did hang around people with that did smoke. I got furious after this incident because I knew it was my responsibility of what goes in and out of my car. So, I broke all of my contacts with the friends that smoked marijuana. Couple of years later, my dad had a stroke. The helpful RN at the ICU took care of my father and kept me sane during the whole process. At that point, I realized I wanted to be an RN just like Alvin (the RN), I decided to go back to school and it was really hard considering I dropped out of high school at an early age. I finally got my GED and now I'm practically done with my pre-req's and co-req at a community college.

Will I be still able to join a RN-Program? I have a respectable GPA (3.8) which I'm very proud of, I worked hard for it.

I'm willing to do anything in order to correct my past faults. I'm also trying to get this charge that I have expunged off my record.

Can you please give me some advice? This marijuana ticket has haunted me and my dreams for the past 5 years.

[keithjones]

my school said you can write a letter explaining minor past incidents like this and they will take that into consideration. the limiting factor may be the background checks done by clinical sites. if you fail any of their screenings (which have varying standards) then they won't let you in the program. getting your record cleared is the best chance to move forward. I would check with an attourney and get advice on going that route.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

The best thing you can do is talk to your School Nursing Adviser, I would say you will be ok, it is a ticket not felony charges. But the only person that would know how it would effect you with your school is your Nursing Adviser.

Good luck.