Will a failed drug test in the Military prevent me from getting licensed?

[AlexiF]

Long story short about 2 years ago I was a 19 year old that thought the world couldn't touch me and I ended up getting discharged from the Army for failing a drug test. I wasn't court martialed, confined to jail or charged but I was technically arrested by CID (Army's criminal investigation unit) when they questioned me about the failed drug test. I was fingerprinted, interviewed ect. as is done for any service member that fails a UA. I don't have any felonies/misdemeanors from that though, just the record of "arrest".

Could this stop me from getting licensed? I stopped doing drugs after that incident and got my **** together but I am just worried that I will put all this time and effort into school and be denied a license.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Good question...I would think that the first hurdle would be to get admitted to an RN program that's accredited (or are you already licensed). It's my understanding from reading the posts on this site that the schools are real hard on anyone with a DUI. I would think that would go with the drug stuff since alcohol is a drug. My question is would your military record show up in detail in a civilian search.

That's a big can of worms. Anyway, I have never been military (married military, father military) so I don't know. Were you dishonorably discharged...but how could that be if you weren't court martialed. Hopefully someone more familiar with this concern can weigh in.

I hear ya with the young and dumb...I think most of us were. It's just that some of us get caught in society's tenets of punishment with no recourse for vindication.

[AnOldsterRN]

What state are you in? Check your state laws on background checks. Here in California arrests with no conviction will not show up for the fingerprinting or background checks. Or if they do, the employer is not to consider them, and a person can actually sue the background check company for releasing such info.

I would say you're good to go.. arrest with no conviction is simply that. You haven't been found guilty, pleaded no contest to or convicted of anything.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

What type of discharge did you receive. That information will be requested on applications (job & school) in the future. You may need to explain the circumstances.

Just based on my state's disciplinary guidelines, (your mileage may vary)..... offenses (not felonies) that occur prior to age 22 & without adult supervision are looked at in a different light than those that occur when you are older, particularly if the individual can provide evidence that s/he has learned from the experience and made positive changes. Some states (like mine) actually require background checks in order to be accepted to nursing school or beginning clinical courses. It may seem harsh, but it does prevent students from investing a lot in their education only to be declared ineligible for licensure afterward.

Wishing you all the best.

[jds95183]

Any word on your RN license? I'm in the same boat. I was given a general under honorable conditions. I've been in school and just finished my prereqs for nursing with straight A's. I'm applying for the winter clinicals here. I also got a job offer at the hospital as a Patient Care Assistant pending my FBI background check. I just submitted my finger prints and now I'm worried. CID printed me when I popped hot for THC, and when I asked the state police why I was denied a firearm, they said it was because that came up on NICS during my purchase. Anyway, anything you can tell me about you experience would be appreciated. I'm not a bad person, I just smoked a little bud. I don't anymore because I want to work in healthcare but I am worried this is being looked at as a felony to something.