DUI and Misdemeanor Theft (drug diversion) Before Nursing School

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Howdy all.  This is in Indiana.

I got charged and convicted with a DUI misdemeanor A in 08/2017.

I have a pending charge for misdemeanor A theft in 03/2022.  It’s for diversion of controlled substances while working as a pharmacy tech.  It was reported to the IPLA and the license case is pending as well as the criminal case.

I have a license attorney and a criminal attorney.  I’ll most likely get a conviction.

I am a recovering alcoholic and have been sober from alcohol since 02/2020.  A doctor prescribed me Xanax to help deal with panic attacks and anxiety from sexual trauma.  I started abusing my script and that’s what led me to divert at the place I worked at.

I’ve been doing group therapy, one on one therapy, AA, got a sponsor, doing literally everything I’m supposed to and more to show that I’m remedying the behaviors that lead to the mistakes I’ve made.

I’ve wanted to do nursing my whole life.  I have a 3.88 GPA for my prerequisite coursework at IUPUI.

I know for 110% certainty I’m never going to drink or use drugs again and that I’m not going to break the law, except for maybe going over the speed limit. ??

My case should be done by 09/2022

Given my circumstances, will any nursing school accept me for say Fall 2023?  Are there any success stories of people in recovery who diverted drugs and had a complaint against a medical license BEFORE applying to nursing school?

I feel like if my drug diversion had happened 5 years ago and I had been squeaky clean for that time that this would be no problem to handle with the right help.  The thing is that it’s so recent!  I have no doubt in myself that I’ll make the right choices here on out, but I do have doubt that the BON and IU school of nursing will trust me to make those right choices.

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Specializes in Critical Care/MICU.

I doubt it, the conviction is to new. Schools are very now strict with even timelines for charges, if they do accept it. 

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Specializes in Nursing administration/ICU/PACU.

I am sure the school will accept you… honestly they are interested in your money, not you. The problem I have found (I live in NJ so it might vary from state to state) once you apply to take your Boards the BON either might not let you take them OR let’s you take them but before  they issue you your license they will want to know what you have done about your recovery since all this happened. Saying you are 110% sure this will not happen again is total nonsense. They want to know what RECOVERY you have and abstinence is not recovery. Also have proof of out patient rehab or counseling. If you haven’t done any, do it now, it will only help you. Go to NA/AA IN PERSON not online, it’s a total game changer. Good luck! 

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Specializes in Critical Care/MICU.
On 10/30/2022 at 9:50 PM, KathyMomRN said:

I am sure the school will accept you… honestly they are interested in your money, not you. The problem I have found (I live in NJ so it might vary from state to state) once you apply to take your Boards the BON either might not let you take them OR let’s you take them but before  they issue you your license they will want to know what you have done about your recovery since all this happened. Saying you are 110% sure this will not happen again is total nonsense. They want to know what RECOVERY you have and abstinence is not recovery. Also have proof of out patient rehab or counseling. If you haven’t done any, do it now, it will only help you. Go to NA/AA IN PERSON not online, it’s a total game changer. Good luck! 

Yes school is about money, but majority of Schools will not accept if it’s too new, theft charges might have to wait 5-7 years. They have guidelines on what they will accept and not and the time frame.. I’ve seen this too often 

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