[helpme]

Help!!

I am planning a career change, and I have narrowed down my list to a couple of careers, one of which is obviously nursing. This is with the ultimate goal being obtaining a masters. Anyway, my dilemma is that I have 2 misdemeanors on my record, both of which are DWI's. One is 7 years old, the other is 4. No wreck or injury involved, just a lack of good judgement at the time. I don't have a chronic drinking problem (I swear!) and I am married with a baby, 2 dogs, mortgage, etc. I am a good little boy now..... All that said, I would like to know what my chances are of being allowed to write for the exam. I have called the BNE without much success, as they want me to send in my $189 and fingerprints and wait 3-6 months. Bottom line, i would just like to have some idea of my chances of being able to become licensed. Anyone have any ideas, andyone know someone in a similar situation? Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Brian

[nursinghumor]

Hello Brian,

Each state board decides whether or not a person is eligible for a license on an individual basis. With the exception of documented drug addiction or abuse issues, there are not too many immediate barriers to getting a license.

I would submit an application well before you think about going to nursing school. Better to find out earlier if you history will be an issue.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com

[helpme]

Thanks for the insight, that's good to know. I'm hoping that this will not be a major impediment.... The level of paperwork just to determine whether or not I can even go to nursing school is depressing, but if I am serious about it, then I just need to accept that it is part of the process. Thanks!

[helpme]

Well, I went to the extreme and emailed a board member of the Texas BNE, and all I got for my efforts was an email that told me exactly what is on the website (in other words, no help at all.) I called the other boards for the fields I am thinking of entering (psychology and speech therapy), and they were able to give me a clear answer based on the detailed information I gave them. Oh well.....