Can I become a Nurse Practioner?

wish_me_luck, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2013

what about for mental illness? I have toyed with the idea of NP school (I did not get into the MPH program) next year. However, I, too, have wondered if I would get accepted with being in HPMP and also hiring chances having the mark on my license for a mental illness. Any thoughts? Is mental illness more hire-able than drug diversion?

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Apr 9, 2013

good luck , even with 26yrs sobriety, presently clear lis., successful completion of prior stipulations, i was denied admission to an online RN to BSN ! program due to, I quote numerous past encumberances on your lis..

TXRN2 · Apr 10, 2013

Sally- i'm sorry, but that's absolutely freaking ridiculous!!! :eek:

sallyrnrrt, ADN, RN · Apr 10, 2013

i thought so also, so I will complete my BACH.ARTS APPLIED SCIENCE, instead....

i was only attempting RN to BSN for professional growth, I did not need it for better pay, or a job.

i have worked as DON, ER director, and now regional nurse consultant........And with 40.5yrs. experience, i am nearing retirement anyway.....

i guess sometimes the oast us never the past :roflmao:

atl_libra · May 5, 2013

WOW. Not to bring back a post from the dead...but there are seriously some judgmental people here. I guess I'm just a little lost on how someone having a bankruptcy in their past, equals them being a "liabilty". @Vebb are you saying that because of the general stigma of bankruptcy, or your ignorance of how bankruptcy actually works. If I were in the position to hire someone...I would be more interested in their reason for filing versus just the fact that they filed. People file bankruptcy for various reasons (medical, divorce, etc). If you file Chapter 7 you are pretty much cleared of debt, and are in a better position to rebuild your credit file. It doesn't necessarily mean you "need" money...or are desperate to do illegal things to obtain money.

vebb · May 6, 2013

WOW. Not to bring back a post from the dead...but there are seriously some judgmental people here. I guess I'm just a little lost on how someone having a bankruptcy in their past equals them being a "liabilty". @Vebb are you saying that because of the general stigma of bankruptcy, or your ignorance of how bankruptcy actually works. If I were in the position to hire someone...I would be more interested in their reason for filing versus just the fact that they filed. People file bankruptcy for various reasons (medical, divorce, etc). If you file Chapter 7 you are pretty much cleared of debt, and are in a better position to rebuild your credit file. It doesn't necessarily mean you "need" money...or are desperate to do illegal things to obtain money.[/quote']
I admit I know little about the bankruptcy process. I do know that I learned in school (HR major) and on the job that it is a good indicator that a person is irresponsible (bad credit included). An irresponsible person on the job is a liability in itself and espically when they have access to money, privileges, etc. Am I saying that all people that file bankruptcy are irresponsible monsters? No. (I have a close relative forced to file because of divorce.. just got sucked into a bad situation) I'm saying that companies don't want the risk and I don't blame them. There is a stigma attached to that word. Yes, there are always exceptions but employers prefer a clean credit report and given the unemployment rate they can be choosey. It was down to final two for consideration at my current job and I got my position because Jane Doe's credit report came back bad.. and I know for a fact if it hadn't I'd
be working somewhere else right now. It's definitely an issue and not exactly fair.. but that's life. I'm not here to judge anyone and I'm far from perfect and in debt up to my eyeballs.. Just offering my opinion and expierences! Its all I've got to give :)

subee, MSN, CRNA · May 6, 2013

Hello all, thank you for reading :)
At this time I am on probation for narcotics diversion. I was a nurse in labor and delivery.
I have now been sober for 2 years :) I do having a nursing job in my field as a WIC nurse at the health dept. Which I consider myself completley lucky as hell. I graduated from nursing school top of my class and recently decided I wanted to go back to school for my Master's in Nursing. I beleive this may help me to enter a new chapter in my life to prove to everyone and myself that I am a successful person, look what I did after my whole life went down the drain. I feel like it would help me get my confidence back. I would love to be a pediatric nurse practioner, but if I went through all that schooling and paid all that money would it all be for nothing?
My thoughts are if I specialize in Peds and work in an office I would hardly ever if at all be in the position to dispence narcotics. If for some reason that was the case my supervising physician would be able to write the script instead and it would not be a problem because of the infrequency. By the time I get done with school I would have put at least 7yrs between me and my downfall. Is there a chance for me?? What do you think?
In a year I will go before the BON to petition to get my license back unencumbered.
My restrictions right now are that I cannot pass narcotics, work nights or work more than 40hrs a week, I can't be a travel nurse. I have been in a recovery program for the last 2 yrs and have done everything asked of me. Im trying so so hard and yet I still feel like I'm at the bottom of the barrel. I recently read a quote saying "Don't let your mistakes define you"
I wish I could do that but even 2yrs out I still feel a large amount of guilt. If anyone has any advice I would love to hear it. Thanks so much for reading this book of a post.

It depends on your state. In mine, the alternative program is not tied to the BON. While you are in the program, your license is not legally "surrendered" but is "inactivated." That's an important distinction because your privacy is maintained - not even the Board knows you are in a program. Also, after your years in the program, you can answer the question about "surrender" as "No.

Your name is never in a database of actions on your license. You do have to explain the time away from your job but many of our nurses are not out of work for long - after initial intensive treatment (license inactivated for 90 days) people find all sorts of jobs without access . Good luck.