Question for CRNA’s in recovery

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Specializes in Emergency Room and ICU/CVICU.

Hey all,

Hope all is well. I’ve done a fair amount of looking around for information, both on this site, along with others, for this information and hope you can help. I’ve been a nurse for 15 years, the past 8 of which I’ve been a person in long term recovery. 
 

I had a DUI 9 years ago that led to this path and I’ve done quite a bit of work to take care of many aspects of my life. I did self report to the board of nursing, went through 5 years of monitoring and have had no issues since. I’ve learned to be proud of it and speak openly about with nurses and healthcare workers now. 
 

It is the only thing on my record, my nursing licenses are completely clean and all my work with the board has been destroyed for confidentiality (Go Maryland for being progressive and actually wanting people to recover) since I completed the program (they do this two years after successful completion with no other infractions). There are no public records of my monitoring program and I’m clean on the NPDB. 
 

My question is, I will be applying to grad schools this time next year and CRNA is always something I’ve wanted to do but have been unsure about the Credentialing process and if hospital’s would even want me in there with the history of even a single DUI. I report this freely when I move jobs (it doesn’t show up on background checks for most standard RN jobs as disposition is over 7 years ago) but know hospital credentialing is a whole different beast. 
 

I have been able to find enough information from forums and state boards to feel confident about getting into school and I have way more than the requisite critical care experience. My question is, has anyone been in a similar situation and/or would be willing to chat about some of their experience? Was hospital Credentialing harder because of your offense? I know licensing is a hurdle but I’ve moved states a few times and have got my “recovery packet and letters” down pat and know how to document evidence of rehabilitation well at this point so that doesn’t bother me as much but maybe I am being naive. 
 

Also, I really appreciate all others experience and opinions but what I see often in answers to questions like this on here is a lot of people guessing that don’t have experience with the topic in their responses, so I’d really appreciate anything someone with this specific information may be willing to share. 
 

Thanks all!

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Specializes in Mental Health.

Congrats on getting through all of that craziness. I know it's rough - I was in monitoring for dui too, only mine is on my record forever. I wish my state was more progressive. I don't know about the credentialing process but wanted to comment to follow this thread. I graduated with my master's and I'm wondering how all of that's going to go. I say go for it, you made it this far.

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I am a NP and a two time graduate of my state’s monitoring program. NP the last time.   I have had to disclose to Credentialing for insurance companies because early in the program the board was investigating me and I couldn’t lie to the committee as they asked on the application if I was under investigation. So 5 years later when time to update credentials,  after I had completed on a confidential order I was forced to disclose the outcome of all of it. I submitted the terms of the order and the letter of completion. The committee requested the entire order and I declined stating it contained PHI. They accepted that answer. It was a difficult week until I finally decided to answer them. It all worked out. 

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Specializes in Mental Health.

Can I ask what state you’re in? Did you complete a monitoring for your RN, and then they had you do a second monitoring for your APRN?

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Texas. Yes. I was an RN in the 90s I was In TPAPN and again in 2013 as a NP.   As far as Credentialing anywhere, hospital privileges or insurance Credentialing I personally have been honest about the order, without telling them my story. Just the fact I had a confidential order and I completed it. When a background check is done with the board or Nursys no discipline or mention of my order is revealed. I am one of the lucky ones who has a confidential order. Believe me there are many doctors and APRNs who have gone before you.  Many of them have everything on the board web page disclosing their misdeeds. There are policies in place to protect your ability to practice.  Hope this helps. 

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Specializes in Mental Health.

Thanks for sharing. Yes I am one of the unlucky ones who’s history is for everyone to see on nursys. I’m hoping to get my APRN without a second monitoring program. It’s a shame you had to go through it twice from the same board for the same stuff. Makes no sense - it’s like when does it end…

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For clarity. I started using again as an NP. I was in the program because I needed help.  I was not put back in monitoring without due cause. Self inflicted. 

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Specializes in Family Medicine.

Big Blondie- I’m a NP also do you recommend I self report my discipline to the certification committee prior to my renewal or wait till it’s time to renew. I renew every 5 years as you already know. 

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Wait until time to renew. 

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