Just finished school with an OWI...now what?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Hi Nurse Beth,

Thanks for doing this. I got OWI 2 YEARS ago. I am doing HPRP. I just finished my school. I am planning to apply for the board. what needs to be done? what document do I need to submit?

Dear Just Finished,

Congrats on finishing nursing school!

So you got an Operating While Impaired (OWI) 2 yrs ago and are currently enrolled in the Health Professionals Recovery (HPRP) program. You are facing a challenge, but others have been through it.

As far as applying...you apply just like anyone else who has completed nursing school and wants to take the NCLEX. Typically your nursing school does this for you in your last semester. They submit verified transcripts along with your application to test to your state's Board of Nursing.

Maybe your school has a different process? What are your classmates doing, and what is your faculty telling you to do?

If you end up doing it yourself,  the Board of Nursing (BON) will tell you exactly what to do when you do apply. Just go to your BON's website.

If you're asking how the BON will respond to your application given your OWI and your contract with HPRP,  I do not know. note: keep all correspondence from the BON, and respond promptly. Let them know immediately if you change your address.

I do know that cases such as yours are considered individually. You will most likely be asked for more information as well as explanation.

Be honest, be humble and be ready to show them everything you've done to support your recovery.  You may be asked to write an explanation. Do read how to write a letter of explanation to the Board.

You'll find  a fair amount here on allnurses about readers' experiences with HPRP (use it as a keyword), and also check out the Nurse's Recovery Forum. 

Consider getting an attorney but if you do, get one familiar with nursing law.

I wish I could offer you more but I do wish you the best. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth