Can I become a RN with a general discharge from the Army?

[ApacheRomeo95]

I've been in the Army for 3 and a half years, but I'm getting a general discharge for doing mushrooms. I've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, insomnia, and general anxiety disorder since about 2013. I had a few suicide attempts and when I went to my Dr for help he didn't do anything at all and I never heard anything about it after that. Some time later I read about an experimental study showing that psilocybin may be useful in treating depression. So feeling abandoned by the Army and desperate for relief I went to Amsterdam and did mushrooms and the next day was caught with some in my car. I have never been in trouble before, never done ANY other drug or abused alcohol and never even got a speeding ticket. However the Army is discharging me for "drug abuse" with a general discharge. This was a dumb and desperate decision I made when I was 20; 21 now and wouldn't start applying for nursing school till I'm 22. I'm not being charged with anything by any court, civilian or military, so I don't have a criminal record, just my dd214 saying I'm being discharged under CH 14 for drug abuse. I really want to be a nurse but will this affect my ability to get licensed?

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Tough one. You will probably need to ask the BON of the state you wish to be licensed in. Do it anonymously if you prefer.

Also, if you haven't gotten any depression/anxiety/other psych issues under control, get that taken care of before you do anything. Nursing school is going to be stressful enough as it is.

Best of luck.