Do I answer "YES," I have used drugs on my state license application? (Pennsylvania)

[zephyr9]

I got my BSN and I'm filling out my application to the state for initial licensure. One of the questions is asking,

"Do you currently engage in or have you ever engaged in the intemperate or habitual use or abuse of alcohol or narcotics, hallucinogenics or other drugs or substances that may impair judgement or coordination?"

I am in recovery for 8.5 years, with no criminal record to substantiate that but with extensive medical records going back many years before I stopped using.

It seems simple to just answer no...what good could come of saying yes? But then at the bottom of the page it says, "....false statements subject to penalties.....falsification to authorities.....may result in suspension or revocation of license...." and so on.

I feel like my former drug addiction is my own business and not relevent at this point in time. Its just all those medical records, could they come back to haunt me? HIPAA is not that binding when warrant squads go and grab non violent probation violators out of drug treatment programs, apparently having been informed that the person was admitted.

Does anyone have any thoughts.

[Collor]

I would say answer "no".

[chinotto_21]

Your medical records are confidential.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

If you answer yes, you are going to face an uphill battle to gain an unrestricted nursing license. You will have to provide the BON with proof of your rehabilitation, probably have to pay for an eval by a board-approved provider ($$), and probably STILL run a high risk of being shuffled into a monitoring program with a stipulated license. This is all very expensive and makes it very difficult to find a job.

If you answer no, you run the risk of the BON somehow finding out at some point during your licensure as a nurse (which could be decades) and completely revoking your nursing license, no questions asked. I would imagine that the risk of the BON finding out through your medical records would be close to nil unless you have a run-in with the board like a relapse but that .05% chance is always going to be there.

*I* would answer no after weighing my options, but it's up to you.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I always feel honesty is the best policy - that being said if you have no criminal record and you have been clean and sober for over 8 years (congratulations BTW) and you are now free of the obsession of addiction I would answer no. You medical history is private and your business. It will not come up on a background check.

I will tell you however that your first job will most likely be very stressful and you will have ready access to a lot of temptation so work your program and stay close to your sponsor if you have one. IF you don't you may want to attend some meetings to reaffirm the principles of sobriety. Hold fast to the traditions and the promises and you will be fine.

Good luck to you

Hppy

[zephyr9]

Thanks to you all. I think it's better to say no too. Why wear that yoke around my neck. I am not a glutton.

Dirtyhippygirl, that scenario is totally within the realm of possibility and it is easy to imagine that happening, crazy as it sounds. I don't take ANYTHING for granted. Something as "understood" as the fact that I'm clean for eight years may not be obvious or understood by others.

Happy weekend!

[Omaapecm, ASN, RN]

Answer no most definitly! You have no criminal record and being honest and open will get you no where. I was honest about my past and was labeled an addict an alcoholic and given 3 years monitoring. I was never even asked to have a professional evaluation. They do not care about your triumphs.......only your tribulations!

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

I would answer "no" to that question as well. I do not feel that anyone with an addiction history that has been resolved should be penalized forever, especially if they have a clean background record.

You have been clean for over 8 years. It's not like you finished a program a week or a few months ago.

To me, questions like that step over the boundaries of HIPAA (like you said) and they are counting on people to volunteer information that they don't have to.

Background checks for nursing licensure only come from criminal activity. They don't search your medical records. You have a right to privacy.

They really need to give a time frame for that question. Not all BON's play fair and I would have no problem answering "no" whether it was the complete truth or not. The fact is you are WAY on the other side of the problem and you have the right to put it behind you.

I applaud your efforts.

[1sttime]

Have to agree with everyone here- answering no will keep you from having to go through a lot of hoops and perhaps a contract which would make a job very difficult to get.

Your medical records are "confidential", however if you were to ever relapse and the BON was involved in any way you would "voluntarily" allow them to look at your medical records.

[friggasdistaff]

Just a question. If you answer 'no' aren't you committing perjury on a legal document? If you relapse the BON might not be as apt to give you a second chance based on your earlier false statement.

[1sttime]

That is considered to be falsifying your application- there can be fines (in my state up to $5000- though it is hardly ever assessed).

[june2009]

You said your drug addiction is "not relevant at this point in time.". Your drug addiction is always relevant. While I agree with everyone else that I would answer no, keep in mind that you always have to be vigilant in your recovery. You will be working with narcotics every day and that can be tough. Like Hppygr8ful said work your program and hit some meetings.

I don't mean to sound like gloom and doom but I have seen nurses relapse with more than 8 years clean. Congratulations on staying clean and keep up the good work!