Can I pursue becoming a physician assistant w/ suspended nursing license?

[njnursenessa]

Hello all,

I realize this may be an unconventional question for this board but here goes. I currently am a LPN in nj with a suspended license. While I miss practicing, I wasn't happy and have been looking into other medical avenues. If I pursue becoming a PA, maybe even my MD, would the status of my nursing license hurt me?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Depends on the reason for the suspension. I can tell you from personal experience (married to a med student) that the background check for med school admissions is very thorough, and any blemish may result in no invitations to interview with schools unless you have a stellar GPA and a superior MCAT score.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Yes, it WILL, (not even "can"). It is pretty much the only one subject medical and nursing boards regularly exchange information on: suspended licences. Especially if anything drug-related was involved.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Probably.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Probably.

It is not "probably", it is close to 100% possibility. Even moving across the country and changing both first and last names will not help.

Attempts of "switching fields" are common among abusers of all kinds. That's why in all states Boards are closely communicating with each other reg. suspended licenses for at least last 10 years. One is totally free and welcome to switch fields, but not after suspended license in any of healthcare-related field. That includes every healthcare profession which 1) requires professional licensing or certification to practice and 2) has access to patients, drugs, or both. And background check for any role which allows prescribing (MD/DO, PA, APN) is currently exhaustive, for this very reason.

OP, sorry to say that, but you only have options to either abandon the idea, or fight your suspension and win.

[caliotter3]

Dealing with this problem at the LPN level may very well open up the possibility of pursuing a career as a PA.