Hello,

I'm at the University of South Florida, going for a degree in nursing and psychology. I've got my associate's already and will be taking my last prerequisite course before being admitted into the college of nursing.

When I was in eighth grade - roughly six years ago now - I held marijuana for a friend. I know that the story sounds too cliche to be true, but they have to get the cliches from somewhere, and I was merely that stupid girl, I guess. Anyway, I went through adjudication which involved writing an essay, attending meetings with this adviser guy, and doing community service. I was told that if I didn't offend again as a minor, my record would be cleared as far as most could tell but that any federal/government organization would be able to see it if they needed to check me out. I didn't know at the time that included the Board of Nursing.


I haven't been in trouble since. I've got good grades and I could definitely pass a drug test... but it terrifies me that I'll go through all of these years of school just to have my dreams shot down and be buried in debt from student loans that were wasted. Do any of you know if the Florida Board of Nursing will allow me to sit for the exam? I don't know how strict they are.

I've called and they refused to give me a straight answer. They say it's determined on a case by case basis when it's a misdemeanor like this one; Some charges are an automatic "no", and luckily mine isn't one of them. The uncertainty just terrifies me, you know?

If anyone could offer any insight, I'd really appreciate it. Will I be able to take the exam for my license? Will I be able to get a job after that point? Will I get into nursing school to begin with?

Thanks ahead of time for any help.