Drug Rehab before nursing school

Nurses Recovery

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So, I have been searching the internet and cannot find a story like mine. I received outpatient drug rehabilitation in 2007 consisting of suboxone maintenance therapy for the treatment of opiate dependency. I have been clean since 2008 and graduated nursing school in Dec. 2010. I passed boards on Jan 12th. (unofficial results) and have been contacted by the Recovery Nurse State Board of Nursing (they're still reviewing my case). I was wondering if anyone has experience with such a situation, will I get a license, and then will I be able to get a job considering I do not have any experience and am starting off likely with a restricted license. Thank yall

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I have a colleague went to rehab years prior to attending nursing school. He had actually been clean and sober for about 15 years before nursing school, active in AA, etc. He was put on contract in my state and required to do many of the same things I am, with the exception of rehab (obviously), 90 in 90, intensive outpatient, Aftercare, and a year of weekly counseling. We both have to do weekly nurse support groups, 2 AA/NA meetings a week, and call in daily for random urines. Also, we submit quarterly self reports after 3 months of monthly reports along with restrictions such as no passing narcotics for the first year, no working nights for the 5 years of being on contract, etc.

Our BON takes it case by case. We do not have a peer assistance program and everything is handled by what's called the DAC - Disability Advisory Committee. I know of others who were only put on a year or a 3 year contract...same restrictions but less time. Two of the gentleman were both new grads; one was able to get a job, the other looked and looked without success and eventually dropped out of the program, putting his license on inactive status. But he also wasn't very good at "presenting" himself, if you know what I mean. The other was able to interview very well and in fact, was hired at my place of work but we were unable to eventually hire him because he had no psychiatric experience....he had another job waiting in the wings so you can see it is possible find a job. I had a job waiting for me when I got my license back but I also had nursing experience.

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I cannot express how much I appreciate your reply. I live in Mississippi, and the BON has began to take active steps towards reviewing my case, however, the BON would not offer information regarding what my future as a nurse may or may not entail; therefore, it is comforting to hear I may possibly be able to practice one day. Thanks again.

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Hi Will, I am in almost the same situation as you, and also in Mississippi. I want to ask though, how did the boards find out you had been rehabilitated? Did you disclose the info? I really appreciate your reply, or anyone else's that has knowledge of the subject. I have found much info about nurses that become addicted to opiates AFTER they start working, but I have been clean for years, and I haven't even taken the NCLEX yet. Thanks!

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Hey Amy, yeah when you apply to take the NCLEX it asks if you received rehab or abused drugs in the last 5 yrs, which I am finally not regretting being honest about. I enrolled Feb 25th in the MS BON's new MAP program which is an alternative to disciplinary action recovery nurse program- I will have full licensure, but have to call daily to check if I will be randomly drug tested, attend 3 NA/AA meetings a wk, get a sponsor, and take a 10 wk online educational course (for some reason the BON hasn't posted anything about the new program on their website which is frustrating. The biggest advice I can tell is I graduated in Dec., took boards and passed on Jan. 12th, and am still waiting to be selected to take a drug test before they will then release my license; meaning, expect to have to wait to receive your license after graduating if you were rehabilitated in the last 5 yrs. Also, if so, I would definitely go ahead and talk to the board like I wish I would have. Hope this helps and good luck : )

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....forgot to put my email if you have specific questions or anything don't wanna post here (I know how uncomfortable it is not having someone else in this situation to relate to)

[email protected]

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Hi I am about to go to the LPN school in MS in the Fall. I am being treated fir suboxone right now iplan on quitting cold turkey because I dont want anything standing in my way. I do have a question for you. Did you tell them you were treated by suboxone? Did they drug test yoou and it show up? How did they come to find out about it because i am scared to tell them I was treated. SHould I?

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FYI- & you may already know this- from what i have read on this forum- quitting suboxone cold turkey apparently isn't the way to go. taper down- & it's still evidently a rough road. best of luck to you!

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I have a question Will. Do you know how long you are gonna have to do that? All that is fine with me buthow long do they do that?

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
Hi I am about to go to the LPN school in MS in the Fall. I am being treated fir suboxone right now iplan on quitting cold turkey because I dont want anything standing in my way. I do have a question for you. Did you tell them you were treated by suboxone? Did they drug test yoou and it show up? How did they come to find out about it because i am scared to tell them I was treated. SHould I?

The last thing you want to do is lie to the BON or your nsg school. You also don't want to quit your meds "cold turkey".

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