Licensed with felonies

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I am currently in school and will be applying for licensure with 3 felonies. They are all addiction related non violent. It will be 4 years since, 6 months inpatient treatment, in good standing with court and done with probation. I am sending all documents, community service, and reference letters with my app. What's the chance that I'll EVER get my license? What's the best way to go about doing this?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
What's the chance that I'll EVER get my license?
Welcome!

Only the board of nursing in the state(s) where you plan to be licensed can answer your question with certainty. The state board of nursing where I live (Texas) would most likely issue you a license under the condition that you participate in an expensive peer assistance program due to your history of addiction. The Texas BON does not care that applicant has been clean and sober for several years.

Under the peer assistance program in Texas, you would submit to random urine drug screens (paid for by you) and routine caseworker contact. Also, you would not be able to pull narcotic medications from Pyxis or the locked drawer of a medication cart, or work during night shift. So with all of these restrictions, many desirable employers choose not to hire nurses in impaired nurse programs.

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Specializes in Addictions, Adult Psych.

It does vary state to state, but it is not impossible to become licensed with a criminal background. You may need to appear before your BON and plead your case... Where I live (MA) they basically want to see what you've done to better yourself and prevent those things from happening in the future. It sounds like you have a good chance, but it varies state to state. I would contact your BON and ask them. If necessary, it might be beneficial to hire a lawyer experienced with the BON. Good luck to you and congratulations on your recovery!

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