Avenmichelle13

They will only know if u tell them. Keep your chin up & keep moving in the right direction. I personally know nurses that have been thru self admitted "detox" thru an ER, which landed me a voluntary week long stay on the psych ward. It got the job done. The grey area is what u choose to disclose. We all are aware of the mental health/addiction questions on the licensing application. Personally, I've taken my chances. I was not employed as an RN at the time, I wholeheartedly disagree with the stigma and repercussions that may/will unfold with blatent honesty.

I currently reside in Iowa, but am a native Floridian. About 3 years ago I relocated back home for a little over a year... it was THEE biggest hassle to finally get clearance to work in the state. I had no problems in Iowa, Tennessee or Texas where this is concerned. For myself, I have a misdemeanor that was expunged from my record back in 2010. The BON cleared me without a hitch, it was the state's background clearance that was the hold up. I had my active FL RN license in my hand, yet could not work until the state of FL itself cleared me. In FL, u must do a mandatory every 5 years full background check. The kicker is getting cleared that first time. I sent in ALL the copies of my court paperwork, including the expungement, yet it drug on for months. It took many many repeated calls. Up until the very end, It was the same conversation: "it is processing, we have what we need, we don't need anything..." Idk if I hounded them enough in Tallhassee (where the background screens are processed) that they finally transfered me to another section of their background processing unit besides the basic customer service operator. I literally had to read my paperwork to the processor on the phone, to point out to him where it was expunged/cleared. He basically responded, "oh ok"... and that was the end of it. Keep on them. Send them everything u can. Don't give up! FL is an amazing state... especially to work in! Good luck!!