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Previous addiction will it stop me becominga nurse

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Kaiya View Drop Down
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Joined: 14 Nov 2012
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    Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 14:32
Hi I was wondering If someone could perhaps give me so advice.

I am looking to train as a mental health nurse. The one thing that is worrying me is my past history.

Basically due to abuse and severe trauma in childhood I received a diagnosis or Borderline Personality Disorder. I self harmed and tried to commit suicide several times. From there i fell into a bad social group and developed an addiction to Ketamine. I sought out treatment for this under went a lot of counselling. I developed a bladder condition as a result of this. I am now CLEAN and after therapy my diagnosis is now recovered borderline personality disorder. 

I have no criminal convictions. I will never go back to that life and I am now fully functioning and completely stable and would be willing to prove this with drug testing or anything else. I am just concerned because both the Uni and to get your licence require a health screening. I don't know about getting your license but I know the Uni require a GP health screen. I read the questions and it asks about previous mental health and it asks the GP about damaging behaviours. I am really concerned that if the GP mentions the previous addiction on this screening I will be stopped from becoming a nurse even though I have no convictions and that aspect of my life is completely in the past.

I am confident in my ability to do what is required of me as a mental health nurse. I am completely stable and this goal has been a massive reason in my life to change my life. I would be devastated if i was rejected on the basis of my past. 

Do you think that if the GP did disclose the previous drug use I will be stopped from becoming a nurse despite being several years clean and emotionally recovered?

Thank you for you advice. 


Edited by Kaiya - 14 Nov 2012 at 14:33
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Joined: 11 Nov 2007
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JFN Admin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 21:13
Hi Kaiya,
 
Congratulations on your journey so far!
 
You experience could actually make you more attractive as a qualified nurse because of the exprience you already have to draw on. Look upon your experience as an asset not a hinderance.
 
Good luck moving forward!
 
Nigel
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