Suspended RN applying to medical school

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Vaxene

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Been trolling around here for a little while. My question is what are the possibilities of a person with a suspended nursing license being accepted into medical school. I'm aware that the TMDSAS asks a specific question about state licenses (PharmD, RN, etc) and any actions taken, but the AMCAS does not. I'm also aware that many secondaries do not have any questions related to this as well. Does anyone know if medical schools look into licensing statuses such as restrictions, suspensions, etc. or is it almost like a new ballgame??

Just curious and thanks in advance...
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Most med schools do background checks.... so who knows? Perhaps some schools will figure out what happened, but some others won't.

If it was something criminal or unethical, it would probably be seen as a lie (and grounds for refusal) if you don't disclose all such actions.
 
so where do you submit said actions if it's not something criminal in nature that is specifically addressed on the applications?

just trying to decide if applying is a waste of money if med schools will ditch app if/when they see this...
 
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If you didn't do anything criminal, it won't show up on the background check.

You might call the medical board of a random state or two and ask if that's something that would prevent you from getting a medical license in that state down the road.

I think it's usually safe to assume poor communication and coordination between bureaucratic organs until proven otherwise, so many issues like this don't actually become problems unless you make them.
 
that's kinda the way i was leaning, but have begun getting paranoid and had almost talked myself out of applying. there was nothing criminal done and there will be nothing on a "criminal" background check. that was why i was wondering.

thanks
 
Vaxene said:
that's kinda the way i was leaning, but have begun getting paranoid and had almost talked myself out of applying. there was nothing criminal done and there will be nothing on a "criminal" background check. that was why i was wondering.

thanks
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Honestly I would just call up some random medical board where you never intend to work and tell them your story, then ask if that will in any way affect your ability to get a license. Might try a few other states to feel confident, but I seriously doubt that's something they track.
 
Yeah even if it isn't an issue for applying, you might want to find out if it could be an issue for obtaining a license. Maybe it depends on the nature of the offense, but that would really suck to have trouble obtaining a license after graduating.
 
I agree it would suck bad. I may give a few boards a call and find out. Anonymously, of course.


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I'm guessing you probably don't want to share what it was that caused the suspension, but if it was something like drug diversion, medical boards will certainly ask about problems with addiction in the past, and any investigation would probably lead to discovery of whatever happened. How easy is it for an RN to get their license suspended? Can a single (harmless?) mistake cause it or does it have to be a serial thing? If it's something rather benign/non-criminal I probably wouldn't worry too much about it, but suspension seems like it should be a big deal.
 
lezbionist, what did you do to lose your license?
 
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It was a drug diversion issue that treatment was taken, but the Board wasn't happy with the treatment I sought being that it was doctor recommendations and not the Boards. Being that I chose to follow the direction of the doctor, they chose to suspend the license instead of alternate (and confidential) actions.

Again, how badly does this affect odds of getting into school? I know that past substance abuse is not a great thing when applying, but I know plenty of physicians who have overcome and do quite well in their field now...and yes I realize that many encountered the issues after getting their license.

What's the best option here??


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Vaxene said:
It was a drug diversion issue that treatment was taken, but the Board wasn't happy with the treatment I sought being that it was doctor recommendations and not the Boards. Being that I chose to follow the direction of the doctor, they chose to suspend the license instead of alternate (and confidential) actions.

Again, how badly does this affect odds of getting into school? I know that past substance abuse is not a great thing when applying, but I know plenty of physicians who have overcome and do quite well in their field now...and yes I realize that many encountered the issues after getting their license.

What's the best option here??
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This shouldn't hurt your chances of getting in, although your name will likely show up in public records, so be prepared to answer honestly if confronted. Obtaining a medical license down the road could be an issue. Not to say you won't be able to, but your application will definitely get flagged. For one, you will need to remain clean for the rest of your professional life. For two, for your career I would go ahead and eliminate anesthesiology, pain management, and any other field that has easy access to happy juice. If possible, go for something that doesn't even require a DEA number.

And next time, just do with the board says.
 
I agree with you about following Board. I just thought they would appreciate me following MD order, but that's what I get for assuming.

I've taken, and am taking, all proper actions to prove that I'm serious about it not happening again (counselor, meetings, etc) because I know they like to see actions taken.

Should I disclose this all now voluntarily, wait until asked, and if I wait, how should I handle it when it comes up?


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I wondered about what you'd done when I saw your initial post last night and ideas went through my head of unprofessional conduct of a hanky-panky nature. etc.

Now that we know the rest of the story, my impression is that you have zero chance of getting a medical license. You might get into medical school and you might even graduate because we don't ask the "right" questions to find out about this sort of thing (because it is so rare that nurses apply and so rare that a nurse with a suspended license would apply) but you are so high risk that I'd be surprised if anyone would grant you a medical license which presents so many more temptations than a nursing license.
 
So your thoughts are that I shouldn't waste my time. Do you think there will ever be a chance that I can? I'm also assuming that you work as adcom, correct? There is no way around stuff like that when applying for a medical license?? No exceptions??


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Speaking as a former adcom for PA programs, if we knew about this issue (and with background checks it will come up) we would never take a chance on you. As a med student now and knowing what kind of crazy background checks I've gone through, I agree your chances of medical licensure are very slim indeed. If I had any blemish at all on my PA license or DEA registration I would have had trouble being admitted to my DO school. Those docs you know who have "overcome" their substance abuse problems likely dealt with these issues AFTER initial licensure (although the substance use may have been a problem before but they were clever enough not to get caught).
Sorry about the harsh reality but it is likely what you will face. The fresher and more recent your offense is, the greater risk any program is taking on you.
 
At this point, you may want to contact a lawyer familiar with medical board issues. If you would indeed be as high risk for not obtaining a license as LizzyM and primadonna state... probably not an investment you want to make.

You still may want the services of a lawyer for board of nursing issues (can you appeal, etc.?) Could you still become an NP or something in the future after the suspension is over?
 
Thank you for your honesty and candor. I brought this on myself. I guess these are the consequences I have to face. Thanks.


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You're welcome. I do agree it makes sense to consult an attorney experienced in these matters. Best wishes to you.
 
LizzyM said:
I wondered about what you'd done when I saw your initial post last night and ideas went through my head of unprofessional conduct of a hanky-panky nature. etc.

Now that we know the rest of the story, my impression is that you have zero chance of getting a medical license. You might get into medical school and you might even graduate because we don't ask the "right" questions to find out about this sort of thing (because it is so rare that nurses apply and so rare that a nurse with a suspended license would apply) but you are so high risk that I'd be surprised if anyone would grant you a medical license which presents so many more temptations than a nursing license.
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I was wondering, would the difficulty of getting accepted, and than being granted a license be as high if this individual cooperated with their state's health department and had their license reinstated? Presumably through a monitoring program?
 
TheHumblingRiver said:
I was wondering, would the difficulty of getting accepted, and than being granted a license be as high if this individual cooperated with their state's health department and had their license reinstated? Presumably through a monitoring program?
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Licensing boards want to work with licensed professionals to help them salvage their careers. There is much higher likelihood that impaired professionals will be referred, or will self-refer, for treatment if they know that their career can be salvaged rather than seeing that referral/treatment is a professional death sentence which would send impaired professionals underground.

So, a licensing board might want to work with a nurse to help her save her license but once the nurse goes off and fails to "play ball" with the board, then all bets are off.

A licensing board has far less riding on the de novo licensing of person who has never held a license in that profession. Not granting a license to someone who has never been licensed doesn't in any way scare off licensed professionals who need help from seeking it.

Now, if a nurse lost her license or had restrictions placed on the licence but later had the license fully reinstated and if that nurse later went to medical school, at the time that the (former) nurse applied for a medical license, the past loss/restriction of the nursing license would have to be disclosed. I have no idea how a medical board would react to that disclosure.
 
Vaxene said:
so where do you submit said actions if it's not something criminal in nature that is specifically addressed on the applications?

just trying to decide if applying is a waste of money if med schools will ditch app if/when they see this...
Click to expand...

I was just wondering if anyone knows if medical schools run a check on your medical license? I had my EMT but when I renewed it I was one CE credit short so they revoked it. That was all nothing else happened. Just wondering if I should put it on the aacomas application.

Thanks
 
Dan0101 said:
I was just wondering if anyone knows if medical schools run a check on your medical license? I had my EMT but when I renewed it I was one CE credit short so they revoked it. That was all nothing else happened. Just wondering if I should put it on the aacomas application.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I don’t think you’re 100% sure what a medical license is.

To my knowledge they will not check your EMT certification.
 
cj_cregg said:
You basically just didn't renew your certification, if I'm reading this correctly. That's not a big deal. Your certification were not taken away and this wasn't a punitive action for something you did wrong. Just make sure you accurately report the dates of your certification/work and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

I did renew my license, I was then audited after renewing it and found to be one continuing ed credit short so they revoked the license.
 
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