Prior Drug Use and Navy Nurse Corps

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Looking for informative, thoughtful, and nonjudgmental responses to the following issue:

I'm interested in the Navy Nurse Corps. Excellent GPA. Intensive Care Internship this last summer. Graduate in December with BSN. Presently in contact with a recruiter and filling out application. Some drug use in the past. Has never been a problem. The military seems to take this seriously, especially for Officer candidates. I'm honest and would like to be forthright on the application. What is the military's policy on previous drug use? Has is gotten more relaxed in recent years? More strict? Thank you.

JackyJ

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It depends on the drug and how long ago the drug use took place. I served in the military and was granted a top-secret clearance with a history of marijuana use. At the time of my application, my experimentation was +/- 5 years prior and it wasn't a big deal at all.

Other harder drugs (cocaine, heroin, meth, lsd) may cause you more of a problem. I think as long it was MJ and not within the last year it shouldn't be a big deal.

Just be totally upfront about it. What will get you rejected immediately is if you say "no" on the drug use section and they find out otherwise when your background check is done. Be honest with them and you shouldn't have a problem.

Good luck!

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Further responses are appreciated. I would also like to know what level of security clearance most Navy Nurse Corps members hold. I believe most, if not all, RNs are Commissioned Officers and hold a Secret security clearance. Is this right? Do some nurses hold higher or lower clearances?

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

Secret is the min. level that they hold. For a top secret it would depend on the position, (planing, spec ops, etc.) held and generally a jr. officer would not be in this billet (job).

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For a top secret it would depend on the position, (planing, spec ops, etc.)

How many Navy Nurses of ANY rank are in planing or spec ops?

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
How many Navy Nurses of ANY rank are in planing or spec ops?

I know of a few Army RNs with Top security clearances.....one was with rangers/fsh, etc. and the other was the V.President's nurse until last year......

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Sounds like Top Secret is geared mainly for intelligence. I imagine that since military nurses are practicing mostly nursing, and not involved in other realms of intelligence, most nurses maintain a Secret clearance. Thanks for the replies.

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