dwis before nursing school?

[DogDadThenNurse, ADN]

I live in Texas and have 2 misdemeanor DWIs in 3 months back in 2017. Immediately following the second, I checked myself into rehab where I spent almost 90 days and the transitioned into sober living for another 4 months. I started probation June 2018 and will get off in June 2020. I have been sober since I went to rehab and I have been nothing but compliant with the conditions of my probation. I have literally done everything by the book. I started taking the prereqs for the nursing program I'm planning on applying to in the spring of 2020. I have a few bad grades from back in 2012 whenever I first graduated high school, but the classes I am taking now, I have a 4.0 in. I am so worried that it will not be possible for me to become a nurse of any type due to my past, regardless of how hard I am working to overcome it. All I want to do with my life is to work in a chemical dependency facility and help the people that are in the same boat I was. Are there any of you anywhere that have any advice for me? Or even if you know someone who has been here and their outcome?

Thanks in advance for any comments!!!

[rn1965, ADN]

Congratulations on your sobriety. Yes, you can become a nurse. You will most likely (but not definitely) need to comply with the TX BON monitoring or TPAPN, once you get your license or apply to sit for the NCLEX. Keep every single thing that shows what you have worked hard to do, also, and this I cannot stress enough, if you can afford it, get an attorney BEFORE any dealings with the board. One who is well versed in RN license defense.

Good luck, and scroll through these threads and you will see many, many nurses who have blazed the path before you!

Welcome!

[Indiana]

Yes you can. Like the above poster said, you may end up in monitoring upon completion, but it’s definitely doable. Congrats on being sober. You have the hardest part done already.