15 years into sobriety, I have taken the first step (pun intended) and applied to two separate nearby nursing schools, a nine month LPN program and a two year RN program, here in Panama City. My test scores were solid. I also have several outstanding recommendations from local healthcare professionals, and an extensive history of volunteer work with the local detox and rehabs. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be meeting academic advisers, counselors, and a selection committee.
And I have questions concerning my past and how that might affect my future.
I wanted honest opinions on how upfront and in depth about my past I should be. My bottom was extremely low - homelessness, mental illness, jail. While, I'm open about being a recovering alcoholic, I generally don't go into great detail about my past to people outside the rooms or recovery.
"Why did you drop out of college?", "Why did you get out of the military?", "Have you ever had a DUI or similar conviction?", Any single question about my past and my alcoholism is out of the bag. Any follow up question only continues to reinforce the fact that, even though, I have 15 years of sobriety, I was and still am an alcoholic.
While I consider my struggles with alcoholism and mental illness as one of the greatest assets I could possibly have as a nurse in the addiction/chemical dependency field, I understand others, not in recovery, may not view my experiences in the same light.
I was curious what experiences others in recovery in the nursing community have had and if they had advice.
Keep your head up!!! You WILL make a great nurse. I got a rejection during my first selection, but still got in for the first round. Students do apply to several schools, so there is always some shuffling closer to the program start date where they have to fill the gaps of the students who chose to attend a different school .
I'm not sure I will ever get past the question on the application "Have you ever been convicted of anything other then minor traffic violations?" Even though the wreckage is fifteen years old, the admissions board has to start "thinning the herd" somewhere and my background is not pristine.
Really starting to second guess myself, this afternoon.
I'm not sure I will ever get past the question on the application "Have you ever been convicted of anything other then minor traffic violations?"
Ah, I see. They won't let anyone in who wouldn't be allowed to sit for the boards. Have you checked with your BON to see if you would be eligible to sit for the boards given your history?
After several weeks of increasing anxiety over a multitude of last second financial aid issues, it is finally done. Twenty three years after being escorted off my previous campus for alcohol related incidents, I start school full time August 22 at our local state college. I have a schedule full of nursing prereqs, and paid for my textbooks today(Ouch! my mullet isn't the only change since I last was in school!).
A/P
A/P lab
Psych
Developmental Psych
Sociology
I've turned my living room into a study, gave away the TV and downgraded cable to internet only, paid off both the credit cards and the motorcycle. Down to rent, electric and internet, that's it. I'm very grateful that this budget allows a relaxed work schedule which will allow me to still do volunteer work with addicts, alcoholics and the homeless three nights a week.
Thank you everyone again for your compassion and support, I'll update this periodically (hopefully good updates)
congratulations & good luck!!! keep us posted! & keep this in the back of your mind- for future reference- nursing school seems to be designed to drive you crazy! again, best of luck & may God bless you!
Congrats to you for having such a resiliant spirit. I guess that nursing is in your heart, but don't be discouraged if the hateful old crones don't let you into the kingdom. There are other things that you can do with your education that won't leave you at the mercy of the uneducated and unempathetic. Keep on keepin' on. There is life after a bout with your BON.
Hrmmm....... I thought I had posted an update this past December after finals, apparently not...
Anyway, life is absolutely spectacular, certainly more then an old drunk like me deserves.
Pulled a 4.0 last semester, knocked the HESI 2 out of the ballpark (96% for anyone interested), and watched an unexpected dream job land in my lap (the in house supervisor for a beach-side sober living facility here in the Florida).
All nursing packet boxes checked, all pre-reqs are done, just a waiting game now. The submission deadline is end of February. Acceptance letters will be mailed a few weeks after that.
Next semester has started. Full time again and such a fun schedule!
A/P 2 + lab
Nutrition
English Comp
Intro to Music (humanities requirement)
Seriously, I couldn't have planned a life as awesome as the one I've been given. I am grateful!
Dear Afbc, Congratulations to you! I am so proud that you made many sacrifices and faced adversity and WON! The Nursing Profession shoukd be honored to have you a member and never forget that. You give me hope and strength that I can overcome things with faith and patience.....I am so proud of you and good luck in your future career as a Nurse!
Please accept my sincerest apologies, much too much time has passed since my last update considering how often I lurk these forums while studying or doing homework.
Sooo. . . Currently working on my fourth full-time semester of college and life is awesome! Still have the perfect 4.0 (pharm may have something to say about that this semester) and have snagged a few minor scholarships. The support I have received along the way from both members of the recovery community and my fellow classmates has been phenomenal. I am truly blessed to have such awesome friends.
My nursing packet was resubmitted on the first of October, and my nursing adviser has informed me that I am an "exceptional candidate" for the January 2013 class. I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunities laid out before me today!
Ironically, now that time has passed and my fear is gone, I am quite open about my past to both my fellow students and my instructors. I am, and will always be, just and old homeless drunk trying to make a better life for myself and those whose lives I touch.
Work is great! A promotion or two later and I am now the admin supervisor for our small substance abuse facility. Fun, fun, fun to say the least! Insurance credentialing, DCF licensure, CARF certification, EHR’s, insurance billing, off-site coordination for medical services, all fell into my IN box. . .
Both of our managing partners are extremely supportive about my chosen career path, and have consistently bent over backwards to accommodate my academic schedule. Recently, I was given the opportunity to train my successor for the transition in January IF I am accepted into the nursing class. At that time, I will be the late afternoon and Friday “paperwork” guy. AWESOME!
Anywhoooo. . . Need to get back to Pharm I guess, mid-term Monday!
"As a representative of the Admission Committee, I am happy to inform you that you have been conditionally accepted into the Associate Degree Nursing Program for the Spring 2012 Term."
lilredrn
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