is my past going to hinder my ability to get a RN license?

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A few years ago I self admitted to a hospital for prescription pill drug abuse. I was in the hospital for 2 days and attended an outpatient therapy for a few months afterwards. I had no court trouble, no charges of any kind, no jail time, or anything like that. I'm curious when I apply to get my license if I will have to confess this information and if it is going to mean I won't be able to get a license. I saw an older post on this site from 2009 that basically said your medical information is confidential so they wont know unless you tell them, but that if you say no and they find out, you would be in a lot of trouble. Is this still the case? I appreciate any feedback. Thank you in advance

by the way, i do plan on calling my state board of nursing on Monday, I am just curious if anyone out there has been in or known someone in a similar situation and could tell me how you handled it/what happened? Thanks again.

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Specializes in LTC, Management, MDS Nurse, Rehab.

As far as I know this should not affect you getting a license. Medical information is confidential and you have criminal background. I would not however self report to the BON.

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Specializes in LTC, Management, MDS Nurse, Rehab.
As far as I know this should not affect you getting a license. Medical information is confidential and you have criminal background. I would not however self report to the BON.

Have no criminal background I meant

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great, thanks for the info

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I know in my state the only way you would have to report the hospitalization, with your hospital documents that would show the addiction , would be if you were hospitalized within 5 years of your application for a disorder such as bipolar of schizophrenia. So if that was also one of your diagnosis' at the time of admittance then you would have to report it.

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I also forgot to mention that a previous drug addiction can cause denial for licensure and if licensed you may have restrictions. It is a chance that you must be willing to take since they will not approve or deny you until after finishing nursing school and applying for licensure. I hired a lawyer for the process because if you leave out something such as a previous drug addiction, and they find out they can deny or take away your license. It is defiantly a process that is not black and white, lots of shades of grey. Good luck!

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I'll look into having a lawyer for the process. Thank you for all the info!! :)

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I think my state board licensing process includes questions like "do you currently have an addiction to drugs or alcohol" or something like that, and says to say no if you are currently participating in our state's probationary program--but I don't recall it asking anything about a history of drug or alcohol addiction or abuse.

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I'm not sure what questions are here in North Carolina, but hopefully they are similar. I'll definitely do some googling and see if i can get an idea for licensing process questions here. Thanks!

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The past is the past. You have no criminal record! hakuna matata

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I saw an older post on this site from 2009 that basically said your medical information is confidential so they wont know unless you tell them, but that if you say no and they find out, you would be in a lot of trouble. Is this still the case? I appreciate any feedback. Thank you in advance

Yes, this is still the case (I expect it always will be). You'll be asked on your licensure application about any mental health or substance abuse difficulties. The wording on the applications differs from state to state, but if you answer the questions, as they are worded, less than honestly and completely and the Board finds out in the future that you withheld information that they asked for, that is grounds for having your license revoked.

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I tried to find the one NC, but they use an electronic form of the application. Here is what the Indiana BON form says;

1. Has disciplinary action ever been taken regarding any health license, certificate, registration or permit you hold

or have held in any state or country?

2. Have you ever been denied a license, certificate, registration or permit to practice as a nurse or any regulated

health occupation in any state or country?

3. Have you ever:

(1) been arrested;

(2) entered into a diversion agreement;

(3) been convicted of;

(4) pled guilty to; or

(5) pled nolo contendre to any offense, misdemeanor or felony in any state (except minor

traffic violations resulting in fines}?

4. Have you ever been terminated, reprimanded, disciplined or demoted in the scope of your practice as a nurse

or as another health care professional?

5. Have you ever had a malpractice judgment against you or settled any malpractice action?

6. Are you now being, or have you ever been treated for drug or alcohol abuse?:

If NC application is like Indiana, then yes you are supposed to disclose the hospitalization. My understanding is that they may issue the license, but it maybe probationary. It maybe helpful to contact a lawyer that specializes in BON.

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