Chemical Dependency Evaluation!!

SL2014 · Jan 14, 2014

First of all, I think that it is really silly that you can't take NCLEX for an MIC 7 years ago... You say "a few" how many is "a few"?

The nursing board can allow you to take the NCLEX with other provisions after you do the chemical dependency evaluation. There have been nurses who have gotten DUIs while nurses and the BON requires them to have alcohol classes, do community service, have a breathalyzer in their car and have random drug and alcohol screenings... I also think this is overboard but its more justified because they are "currently nurses" and a DUI is much more serious than an MIC but it al really depends on your state BON.

So ya, they can drug test you, and they probably will.

It's silly but that's how it goes...

philly497 · Jan 14, 2014

4 tickets total. All alcohol related. Also, they were also from my freshman year of college- which is not an excuse but you know how freshman year goes :) These charges are from years ago and I have not been in any trouble since and I hardly even drink anymore. I'm just nervous about the evaluation... I'm scared the psychologist will try to find something wrong with me.

JeremyClark · Jan 23, 2014

I did my chemical dep eval today. 1/23/14 I live in Houston, Yes it cost me $1500, I used a person off the list, you take a few hand written test, and speak with the doctor. He called my wife after we were done talking while I waited in the waiting room. He came out we said our good byes. It was not as bad as I thought. The doctor was real nice and easy to speak with.

Now I wait for him to send his evaluation and wait on the BON approval.

What some are forgetting this that you only have 45 days to get an appointment, send BON the appt info so they cans send your records down and then have the appointment. YOU CAN use another doctor, but you have to get that doctor cleared by the BON first, and still have all of this done in 45 days.

Nothing seems to happen with the BON in 45 days, they are so over loaded with so much it is unreal. So I just did the fastest route possible to get my answer sooner.

kaydensmom01 · Jan 24, 2014

I also graduated in May and have not been approved to take NCLEX yet. I had my evaluation on November 19th, it was 7 hours away (I'm on the north-eastern boarder of the state and it was clear on the south-western boarder), 9 hours long, and cost $3000! My BON did not allow me to choose another psychiatrist, I had to chose him (which is odd because I know several students that went through this last year and they were allowed to use local psychiatrists)!

The first four hours were spent filling out general questionnaires about how often I get angry, what I do when I get angry, if I drink, if I do drugs, what I do in my spare time, etc. There was a total of about 1,100 questions. I had an hr break, then the last 4 hours were where I actually met the psychiatrist and he evaluated me. I told him my life story, from birth until now.I sent him all of my records ahead of time so he looked at that before I came in. The evaluation went well, but in my state I do not have a right to the report. It took him 4 weeks after the evaluation to write his report and send it in and I will not be allowed to look at it or know what was said on it. I didn't think that they could do that because we all know about patient rights and such, but my lawyer said that they can legally do it... That was my only negative comment about the evaluation, besides the drive and the cost.

I was also afraid that the psychiatrist was going to be biased towards the BON and try to twist my words or something of sorts, but it really wasn't like that at all. Him and his student seemed to be genuinely impressed by me and it made me feel very confident about the evaluation, regardless of the fact that I do not have access to the report.

morte, LPN, LVN · Jan 24, 2014

did you lawyer cite the law that made it legal for them to not give you a copy? I wonder if you pursued psych treatment THat psychiatrist would be able to access?

I also graduated in May and have not been approved to take NCLEX yet. I had my evaluation on November 19th, it was 7 hours away (I'm on the north-eastern boarder of the state and it was clear on the south-western boarder), 9 hours long, and cost $3000! My BON did not allow me to choose another psychiatrist, I had to chose him (which is odd because I know several students that went through this last year and they were allowed to use local psychiatrists)!
The first four hours were spent filling out general questionnaires about how often I get angry, what I do when I get angry, if I drink, if I do drugs, what I do in my spare time, etc. There was a total of about 1,100 questions. I had an hr break, then the last 4 hours were where I actually met the psychiatrist and he evaluated me. I told him my life story, from birth until now.I sent him all of my records ahead of time so he looked at that before I came in. The evaluation went well, but in my state I do not have a right to the report. It took him 4 weeks after the evaluation to write his report and send it in and I will not be allowed to look at it or know what was said on it. I didn't think that they could do that because we all know about patient rights and such, but my lawyer said that they can legally do it... That was my only negative comment about the evaluation, besides the drive and the cost.
I was also afraid that the psychiatrist was going to be biased towards the BON and try to twist my words or something of sorts, but it really wasn't like that at all. Him and his student seemed to be genuinely impressed by me and it made me feel very confident about the evaluation, regardless of the fact that I do not have access to the report.

kaydensmom01 · Jan 24, 2014

did you lawyer cite the law that made it legal for them to not give you a copy? I wonder if you pursued psych treatment THat psychiatrist would be able to access?

It is not a normal patient relationship, as I am not considered the patient- the Board of Nursing is. Yes he is evaluating me, yes I paid for it, but no I am not the patient- it is a rare situation but legally sound.

Sam J. · Jan 24, 2014

Don't be afraid the psychologist will find something, be certain that he will try to find something, and try to mitigate that by being forthright, honest, and provide full disclosure. He/she is not your friend, and won't be trying to do you a favor. He/she will also have extensive information from your past, from your BON, and will use that to look for inconsistencies during your interview, and from your tests (that are designed to find deception). Many of those counselors, psychologists are former addicts or alcoholics, so they have a keener insight into substance abuse, and it's their goal to be sure people they evaluate admit to any possible flaws and are genuinely on a new path- because they've been there, themselves. Don't minimize anything you've been accused of or arrested for or etc.- regardless of when things happened, or why. Honesty is the best advice. It will be tough, but you'll get through it.

kaydensmom01 · Jan 26, 2014

It's been 9 months since graduation, and two months since my evaluation and I received my ATT yesterday:) Good luck!

Shadowfax15 · Jun 18, 2014

Thanks for your reply. Made me feel better-I have one on July 17 and I'm nervous just because if I don't get approved I can't continue with my schooling. It's been a struggle-I hope it's as easy as you say. I've taken so many drug tests because of my probation(off now for a year and a half) that I think I'll scream if I have to take another.There are so many posts about this that I just don't really know what to expect.

nursingstudentduic · Jun 20, 2014

Is this mandatory or optinal? Where can I find the list of approved MDs for this in California