Nurses who go into drug rehab

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:confused:Have a question, if a nurse has a history of drug abuse and going into a drug rehab, does this jeopardize their chance of getting hired as a nurse? or is this confidential? Do you have to report past substance abuse?

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Specializes in Impaired Nurse Advocate, CRNA, ER,.

It depends on what your nursing license application or renewal application asks. A question such as, "Have you been treated for substance abuse or chemical dependence" is different than, "Have you been treated for substance abuse or chemical dependence since you last renewed your license".

If you lie on an application and the board finds out, yes, there will be repercussions. Consult a license defense attorney for advice on how to proceed. The cost of the consultation is well worth it...especially if you avoid action on your license.

If you ever have an opportunity to watch how the board of nursing works, do it. Most of the disciplinary hearings are open to the public. Spend a day when there are nurses before the board in order to get a "flavor" of how they operate. Even more importantly, watch how they treat a nurse who has counsel vs those who don't (which is the majority of nurses...representing themselves before the board...I've been to some board meetings where NONE of the nurses had legal representation...can get ugly). The American Association of Nurse Attorneys or an administrative lawyer with EXPERIENCE before the board is what you are looking for (call the bar association in your city, county, or state for names).

Jack

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It depends on what your nursing license application or renewal application asks. A question such as, "Have you been treated for substance abuse or chemical dependence" is different than, "Have you been treated for substance abuse or chemical dependence since you last renewed your license".

If you lie on an application and the board finds out, yes, there will be repercussions. Consult a license defense attorney for advice on how to proceed. The cost of the consultation is well worth it...especially if you avoid action on your license.

If you ever have an opportunity to watch how the board of nursing works, do it. Most of the disciplinary hearings are open to the public. Spend a day when there are nurses before the board in order to get a "flavor" of how they operate. Even more importantly, watch how they treat a nurse who has counsel vs those who don't (which is the majority of nurses...representing themselves before the board...I've been to some board meetings where NONE of the nurses had legal representation...can get ugly). The American Association of Nurse Attorneys or an administrative lawyer with EXPERIENCE before the board is what you are looking for (call the bar association in your city, county, or state for names).

Jack

Thank you very much for your advice. Never delt with anything like this...never want to again.

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