Doubtingone

It's not the school that I have issue with. The state board is the problem. The application asks pointed questions about treatment for alcohol and/or substance abuse. I dont want to go to school for a year in a specialized program of they won't license me.

I spoke with the director of the program. I couldn't not disclose the past...its not who I am anymore. Secrets made me sick in the past. He asked around, made some calls to other program directors that he knows and he feels pretty sure that it's a non issue. He is going to contact the state board, without disclosing my name and see what they say. He says that from the information that he has gathered so far, another program had a student with similar issues, but they were still using and that person was issued a license. It was probably conditional, but they're practicing in the field.

Thanks to everyone who has weighed in on this. I am still not sure what to do, but I will update later as the time to apply approaches.

I live in the smallest, gossip infested town you could ever imagine...so I wouldn't be surprised at anything. When I started AA/NA meetings here, it didn't take me long to figure out that no one really kept your anonymity. I was required to do my 4th step as part of my inpatient treatment program, and since I wasn't from here (had just moved here after a divorce to be closer to family) and didn't know anyone, the treatment facility helped me find a sponsor to do it with. By the time I left treatment, a whopping 4 days later, all of my business was all over town. This lady who had 10 years clean had blabbed all of my secrets to everyone. I didn't go to another meeting here. I attend in the next towns over.

Would there be ANY chance of them finding out later?

I am in school finishing my pre reqs for the health sciences program. There are two programs that I am REALLY interested in, but I'm scared...I have a history of substance abuse, namely opiates. I want to rehab for 35 days in 2003, stayed clean for almost 3 years and relapsed for 2 days. I have been clean since that relapse. So to be clear, I have been sober for 10 years now. I have never been arrested or convicted of any crimes. I know you all are a nursing Message community, but I like the way that you actually help and encourage each other! The programs are ota and rrt. I've looked at the licensing applications for both in my state (both done by the same entity) and there is a question on there that asks if you have ever been to rehab and if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol. I know that I have to be honest, I just want to know if this will keep me from getting a license. I am smart, determined, and above all, I am sober. That is something that I never imagined that I could be! I don't want to pay for my past forever. I knew when I started back to school that I could never work as a nurse because I don't want to continually tempt myself, but helping people is ALL that I have ever wanted to do. I've worked as a mental health case worker for 8 years (the irony) and then as an activity director in ltc until I quit to persue school full time. Any help or advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!