Concern about releasing Past Medical History to BON.

[Curious123456]

hello,

i am a 22y.o. nursing student finishing up my last semester of school before i take the nclex. i am concerned about what to put for the personal history information section of the illinois licensure application however which states

“[color=#231f20]have you had or do you now have any disease or condition that interferes with your ability to perform the essential functions of your profession, including any disease or condition generally regarded as chronic by the medical community, i.e., (1) mental or emotional disease

[color=#231f20]or condition; (2) alcohol or other substance abuse; (3) physical disease or condition, that presently interferes with your ability to practice

[color=#231f20]your profession? if yes, attach a detailed statement, including an explanation whether or not you are currently under treatment”.

when i was 19 years old, during my pre-nursing class days, i tried pot for the first time and ended up in the emergency department from an anxiety attack. they drug tested me which showed up positive for thc so it is on my medical record from that hospital. i was treated for the anxiety and then allowed to go back home. a similar incident happened with another drug substance (an opiate a friend gave me) a couple months prior to that where i then immediately admitted myself to yet another hospital at that given time because i thought i was overdosing and pretty much begged the er doc to give me narcan cause i didn’t want to feel how it made me feel. needless to say i had poor choice of friends at that particular point of my life. but anyhow, now i don’t know if these silly drug experiments i did is going to haunt me from being able get my nursing license. what are your people’s thoughts or opinions on this? do i check yes and release that information to the bon or is that something that does not apply to this question or should not be shared as it was not something that was chronic, but rather experimental. the whole quoted statement confuses me honestly so any input would be greatly appreciated! thank you :)

[Karl Farmer]

You need to not release protected health information. Go to a HIPAA site and read up on this issue. Then you will know where and what information is and can be released, either by yourself, by contract with your insurer, or whatnot. Do not divulge protected health information to anybody, ever. The BON will in no way have access to your hospital or doctor visits, unless you were ordered there by them, as a condition of a program, and signed specific waivers allowing them access. If you unknowingly divulge protected health information, it will adversely affect you for your entire life. Don't make a move until you find out what's involved.

[TXRN2]

in all honesty, you should check "no" to that question. these were 2 isolated incidents- not chronic, required no further treatment. best of luck on your boards & your life!!

[diva rn, BSN, RN]

Absolutely not! Like TXRN said these were isolated incidents...it's none of their business.. and do not give it a second thought...Good luck!