Nursing student- there is hope

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So I recently graduated from nursing school. About 6 months before graduation I was arrested for a DUI. Moreover, in 2016 I had multiple arrests for disorderly conduct and possession of marijuana. After my most recent arrest I figured I was screwed. I desperately sought out answers on whether I would be able to test and if so what would happen to me. 

I hired a nursing license attorney right after my arrest because I knew I would have to submit a positive response to the board when applying to take my NCLEX. He had me do certain things ucb as get references, get a hair screen, get letters from my counselor and get a substance abuse evaluation. I did all of these things. 

Fast forward, I recently just got finished with my board appearance to answer my positive responses. I was given approval with NO probation and NO referral to my states drug and alcohol program. 

 

I am writing this to comfort fellow nursing students who may be worried about being able to test after having a criminal background. Yes, you will be able to test. I had four arrests (most drug or alcohol related) and I was able to test free and clear. My advice is to hire an attorney. It was the best decision I made. If you have to take out a loan. Do it! You need an attorney. There was a person that had an appearance right before me who had a DUI. This was her only charge. She did not have a lawyer and was given probation and a referral to the monitoring program. I am willing to answer anyone's questions. 

If you are a student who has gotten in trouble, know that you will be OK and you will be able to test. 

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I wish I had found this prior to applying for my boards. I am on the other side of this token. I had a possession for MJ and a APC (basically equivalent to DUI in Oklahoma, even though I wasn't technically driving). I did not hire a nursing attorney and that is where I made a HUGE MISTAKE. I was finally allowed to sit for my boards after 11 months and not knowing anything. I was placed on Active w/ Conditions status for roughly 3 months, I passed all my UDS, I had to do a Jurisprudence class, and do an Evaluation then I was referred to the Peer Assistance Committee. I let my license get revoked last year because I refused to get enrolled into the program by my deadline per my BON order. At that time I was angry, stubborn, bitter, and upset because I felt that I shouldn't have been dealt the cards I was dealt. Looking back a year later and now trying to pick up those pieces I understand I was being stubborn. I understand I made a GRAVE mistake not hiring a nursing attorney ASAP. I am currently in the process of starting my guidelines to be reinstated. That process itself will take 24 months, but there is NOTHING that I want more then to be a nurse. So I'm going to take the reprimand and I'll do what I need to do and I will NOT go back in front of the board without an attorney. So nursing students if you have anything on your record related to substance abuse, or anything for that matter that you think may pose a problem with getting your license GET OR TALK TO A LAWYER.

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@Little.Pretty.Nurse my suggestion is to start working as a PCA or whatever they call it at your local hospital. Work hard and show the manager your skill and desire to work hard. Once you've been there for a month or two let her (or him) know your situation. 

I was fully expecting to at least get probation. I had been working as a PCA and told my manager my situation. She was more than willing to work with me regardless of the outcome. Anyone trying to get into a position after punishment should do this. You do not need a license to work as a PCA. You have the ability to get close with the nurses so they can give a recommendation. Once your established let the manager know what's going on. The most they can do is say no. If they say no, you start applying for other positions while you still have your PCA job. 

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Also do not go in front of the board if you are still on criminal probation. Finish your probation then apply. If you are on criminal probation, they will 100% put your license on probation. Finish all court requirements before applying to the board

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16 hours ago, Betterdaystocome said:

Also do not go in front of the board if you are still on criminal probation. Finish your probation then apply. If you are on criminal probation, they will 100% put your license on probation. Finish all court requirements before applying to the board

I appreciate what you are saying but some states have a timeline of when you have to apply for licensure after BSN graduation, so I personally don't have a choice. Will have 2.5 years of criminal probation/sobriety court for a 2nd DUI and in the process of getting my evals in order to apply for NCLEX. Graduate with an ABSN over a year ago.

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What happens if you do not apply in that time frame? You have to do a refresher course? Did you hire a license attorney

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5 minutes ago, Betterdaystocome said:

What happens if you do not apply in that time frame? You have to do a refresher course? Did you hire a license attorney

Then I can never be licensed as an RN in my state. It's quite outrageous. Yes, I have an attorney. She is super rude and but I'm already in deep with her over the last year, couldn't begin to afford to start over this entire process. If you only knew the amount of paperwork, psych evals, drug tests I've had to do to satisfy the court and the lawyer (per what she thinks will be necessary to be allowed to sit for the NCLEX) you'd be astounded. I've probably spent $20k on those costs in the last year. 

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Wow I am so sorry that is happening to you @KatEverly

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18 minutes ago, Betterdaystocome said:

Wow I am so sorry that is happening to you @KatEverly

Thank you. Sometimes I ask myself what has my life become, but I just have to keep my eye on God and know that His Will will be done at the end of the day, even if that doesn't look the way I thought it would. Your story has given me hope though. I am so proud of you for overcoming the things you have! Your post did brighten my day, just sad I don't have a choice but to apply for licensure while in sobriety court. 

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Wow I am so sorry that is happening to you @KatEverly

Yeah I don't want to stress you but if you are on probation they will put you on probation at minimum. For the length of your probation or your RMA

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4 minutes ago, Betterdaystocome said:

Wow I am so sorry that is happening to you @KatEverly

Yeah I don't want to stress you but if you are on probation they will put you on probation at minimum. For the length of your probation or your RMA

Yeah my lawyer is probably just putting me through the battery of tests and stuff to wrack up my bill. One of the psychiatrists I saw (of 3) said there was no way in heck I was getting out of a contract, but a couple other professionals, including my lawyer, said there is hope. Meanwhile I am hemorrhaging money I don't have to spare while still not even having applied for licensure yet because this whole entire thing has been so incredibly drawn out despite my constant pressuring to try and hurry it up. It's like my worse nightmare I just want to wake up from already but I know that is real life, somehow. The situation is wearing me down and I find myself asking, "for what?" This profession doesn't seem to really care about those amongst the ranks struggling who are truly doing there best and have made a change. This entire recovery forum is FULL of stories like that, where they got chewed up and spit out. I don't even think I could afford monitoring so that would certainly weigh into my decision after the BON tells me what they expect of me. 

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@KatEverly we you do have hope that you won't be put on a monitoring agreement. That's where things get expensive due to further evals and drug screens. Plus depending on your state it could last 5 years. You still have the chance that they will simply put your license on probation for the length of your criminal matter. This would be huge because although you would still have a ding on your license you will only have to do quarterly reports and get the order signed by employer. My lawyer said that if they suggested monitoring for me we would argue to put me on probation for a year instead. I would much rather do that than do the invasive monitoring for years. You may talk to your lawyer about having here try to bargain with them. Again good luck

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