become nurse with drug charge?

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Mar 31, 2006

would having a marijuana possession charge a decade ago prevent me from being licensed as a nurse?

The only real way to answer this with any authority is to write your state board of nursing and ASK THEM. They are the ones that would or wouldn't prevent you from licensure and they deal with questions like this everyday.

Better to find out BEFORE you do several years of schooling.

I'd go to their website and find out how to ask that question. I'm POSITIVE they have a streamlined process for this as these kinds of questions are routinely asked.

btw, welcome to allnurses!

~faith,

Timothy.

kem67 · Jul 27, 2006

I have the same problem but in only with ETOH. It is so embarrasing but what if you have four misdemeanors? One crazy summer when I was 20 I got 3 Minor in possessions and a DUI. I was 20 (come on!) with some horrible luck and poor choices. I think the summer after, I got in trouble for walking to the beach with a open beer in California. (I swear I get in trouble for stupid things.) Now I am 24 and will become a fresh 25 when I graduate. I have not been in trouble again since. I have been in school for 6 years and will finally finish at 7 (may, 2007). I personally, with the exception of the DUI, think all of these charges are sort of stupid but will the boards be so compassionate? I never go to work after partying. I managed to get this far in nursing school with excellent grades. Never been disciplined by a school or job. I am so excited to potentially become a nurse and I am like pretty much everybody, much much different from my wild 20th year of life. I have been in school for so long and just want to find my life and live it. It took me so long to discover what I want to do. To have it taken away by some stupid things I did when I was 20 seems criminal. Am I screwed?

kelly

Milenamilena · Aug 2, 2006

Also I am wondering how the drug screenig test work. Anybody knows?

What kind of drugs can be found and after how long of using? And how do they check it? And if they check always?

twoanddone · Aug 2, 2006

I have the same problem but in only with ETOH. It is so embarrasing but what if you have four misdemeanors? One crazy summer when I was 20 I got 3 Minor in possessions and a DUI. I was 20 (come on!) with some horrible luck and poor choices. I think the summer after, I got in trouble for walking to the beach with a open beer in California. (I swear I get in trouble for stupid things.) Now I am 24 and will become a fresh 25 when I graduate. I have not been in trouble again since. I have been in school for 6 years and will finally finish at 7 (may, 2007). I personally, with the exception of the DUI, think all of these charges are sort of stupid but will the boards be so compassionate? I never go to work after partying. I managed to get this far in nursing school with excellent grades. Never been disciplined by a school or job. I am so excited to potentially become a nurse and I am like pretty much everybody, much much different from my wild 20th year of life. I have been in school for so long and just want to find my life and live it. It took me so long to discover what I want to do. To have it taken away by some stupid things I did when I was 20 seems criminal. Am I screwed?
kelly

Kelly,

Did your school did a background check and talk to you about it? Does your nursing advisor know? Maybe she can help guide you.

BTW, your age and bad luck shouldn't be to blame for your criminal offenses. A twenty year old drunk killed my sister the day before Thanksgiving fourteen years ago. It mangled my leg pretty bad so much I hardly ever wear shorts/ have pain when walking/sitting still too long and still I will never forget that or blame his carelessness and selfishness on his bad luck or age. Just be thankful that you just got a DUI and didn't hurt yourself or others and learned to mature enough to never do it again. I read your post about this before and the 20 and come on comment just really hit too close to home.