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How will they know if you don't tell them? If it were me, I definitely would not say a word! Yes, you will be put into a monitoring program with random (expensive) drug testing, evaluation (also expensive) by an addiction specialist, outpatient therapy IF you are lucky BUT they could even require inpatient treatment (doubtful this far out from active addiction but it's been known to happen), narcotic restrictions, no nights, no call, no floating to other units. It will make getting a job as a brand new nurse VERY difficult (but not impossible). So if it were me I would not disclose that information when applying for my license!!!
Hi all! I'm a 24 year old student nurse who got sober from alcohol and prescription amphetamines a little over 2 years ago. I started out as a biomedical sciences/research major and then switched to nursing. I was in clinicals for a year when I got sober and transferred to a nursing program in Minnesota. I ended up having to start clinicals from the beginning but am almost halfway through the new program and am wondering about what will happen when I apply for NCLEX and licensure. Will I have to self-report or will they find out (god willing, it will have been 4 years since active alcoholism). My main worry is about restrictions because I've heard that some states require you to only work day shift and have a narcotic restriction. I never diverted from patients as a nurse technician or student nurse, and my DOC was alcohol, so will I still have to deal with those restrictions? And should I start documenting meeting attendance now? So many questions but appreciate any answers
Unless your treatment was related to a crime such as a DUI. Any treatment you received is considered private and protected by HIPAA Almost all nursing BON applications ask questions about treatment for addiction or mental illness involving psychosis in the past 5 to 10 years. Many of us in the interest of rigorous honesty answer these questions truthfully and end up practicing under restriction. I cannot advise you to lie on your application however you should decide for yourself what to do in this scenario, If you have no criminal background and therefore no public record of your addiction and are doing well in your recovery (Congrats on that BTW) decide what you would do. Once you answer yes to those questions you will required to sign releases from all your doctors and there will most definitely be restrictions of some kind on your new license
Good luck and best wishes to you
Hppy
Hi all! I'm a 24 year old student nurse who got sober from alcohol and prescription amphetamines a little over 2 years ago. I started out as a biomedical sciences/research major and then switched to nursing. I was in clinicals for a year when I got sober and transferred to a nursing program in Minnesota. I ended up having to start clinicals from the beginning but am almost halfway through the new program and am wondering about what will happen when I apply for NCLEX and licensure. Will I have to self-report or will they find out (god willing, it will have been 4 years since active alcoholism). My main worry is about restrictions because I've heard that some states require you to only work day shift and have a narcotic restriction. I never diverted from patients as a nurse technician or student nurse, and my DOC was alcohol, so will I still have to deal with those restrictions? And should I start documenting meeting attendance now? So many questions but appreciate any answers
Do you have any arrests? Felonies? Misdemeanors that are related to drugs or alcohol? If no, then don't say anything.
We'd all like to believe in a utopia where people won't judge us on past mistakes. I can tell you that is not the world in which we live. You're doing the work. You're doing what's needed for you to stay sober. I would not share this with any governing body. Good luck to you. I hope you do well on your road to recovery.
Thanks friend. No arrests or any criminal history, just was headed towards a bad place, and now I've been sober for nearly 2.5 years, so seem to be doing well for this being my first rodeo. I try to stay humble but this has actually revealed a love for mental health, so I plan to carry that into my practice in acute care. I appreciate the advice.
Queenofthesouth24
22 Posts
Hi all! I'm a 24 year old student nurse who got sober from alcohol and prescription amphetamines a little over 2 years ago. I started out as a biomedical sciences/research major and then switched to nursing. I was in clinicals for a year when I got sober and transferred to a nursing program in Minnesota. I ended up having to start clinicals from the beginning but am almost halfway through the new program and am wondering about what will happen when I apply for NCLEX and licensure. Will I have to self-report or will they find out (god willing, it will have been 4 years since active alcoholism). My main worry is about restrictions because I've heard that some states require you to only work day shift and have a narcotic restriction. I never diverted from patients as a nurse technician or student nurse, and my DOC was alcohol, so will I still have to deal with those restrictions? And should I start documenting meeting attendance now? So many questions but appreciate any answers