Nurse to doctor?

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Hi all, I've posted a few times about my fight with the PA BON. They want me to go into DMU for misdemeanor drug charges, both in 1999. Exemplary record after that. It seems the licensing boards are not as tough on MD's from my limited experience. I'm considering med school. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I graduated first in my class, have always thought about being a doctor, but nursing is obviously less schooling, although I planned to become a FNP eventually. My charges would be more than 20 years old by the time I apply for a license. You would think nearly 15 years is enough for the BON but they recently changed their way of handling cases like mine. Drug charge=DMU, no matter what. Archaic. I'm also considering licensing in other states, I live close to ny and nj. They both also appear more forgiving, offering things like a certificate of rehabilitation that basically prevents anyone from holding such old crimes against you. Any thoughts anyone?

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

it has been my experience most all lis. bodies, ask about prior criminal or disiplinary actions, when a provider regardless of PAC, FNP OR PHYSICIAN your DEA applications are going to ask , we cant give legal advice, only share experiences, etc....... in Tex. it seemed resp. practioner board more tollerable than BON?

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Thanks for your reply. I am aware that they will all ask about it. Just curious if they will treat it as harshly. I would stand on my head and wear a continual censor detecting drug use if they wanted me to, just to have a clean license. I may also be able to obtain a pardon by the time I ask for a medical license. I'm very frustrated that no length of time seems to be enough for these misdemeanors to stop haunting me! No second chances in PA. A licensed nurse diverting narcotics is not treated as harshly as I have after being clean 13 years!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
Thanks for your reply. I am aware that they will all ask about it. Just curious if they will treat it as harshly. I would stand on my head and wear a continual censor detecting drug use if they wanted me to just to have a clean license. I may also be able to obtain a pardon by the time I ask for a medical license. I'm very frustrated that no length of time seems to be enough for these misdemeanors to stop haunting me! No second chances in PA. A licensed nurse diverting narcotics is not treated as harshly as I have after being clean 13 years![/quote']

My brother is a "former" drug addict and arrested in AZ for domestic abuse. He's in Pa working on becoming a PA. That might be another option for you. Nobody cares that he's a former druggie and that he was abusive...

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

The DEA licensing will be a challenge regardless.

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Even with a pardon? Will licensing boards still have access to that info??

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IrishIzRN-I'm surprised to hear that about your brother. Maybe because he doesn't have a drug charge. I honestly think that it is worse than violent crimes in their eyes. The PA BON has just in the last months made this policy that if you've ever been convicted under drug and cosmetic act you aren't eligible for VRP. The woman who evaluated me said she almost quit over my case because I didn't even need to be monitored. But how can they not monitor you and make you go into DMU? Theyre even saying they probably will only monitor me for a yesr (because i dont actually fit the criteria to be monitored) She wouldn't sign my eval for that reason. I have spoken with an attorney (also have 2 other attorneys given to me by my evaluator and my PNAP case manager). This is so new they need some time to figure out how to proceed. If anyone has any other suggestions of what I could do, I'm open. I wouldn't mind research or non-clinical work if I had to. How can I get there? I'm so lost...

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