Ready for a new career!

Hi all,
I would like some advice. I was in an Alternative Program for Nurses and successfully completed it. I prayed HARD for my HP to help me find the perfect nursing career, and just completed a nurse midwifery program.
Now I've got to fill out applications for the certification exam and for practice in my state.
If the Alternative Program is "confidential", do I have to disclose that on my application to take the certification exam?
I will apply to practice in the same state where I participated in the Alternative Program. Will that show up automatically whether I disclose it or not?
I am NOT ashamed or afraid to discuss this. I was in the Alternative Program from late 1997 until mid 2001, and I worked all the time I was in school. I think my addiction and recovery could actually help in my search for a job, but I would like to bring the subject up myself.
I'd appreciate all the info, advice, support, web links, etc. that you can share. I am fighting with old demons right now and just a "little" frightened. There aren't many nurses in my AA meetings.
Good luck to all of you who are also in recovery! As you have discovered, it is ONE day at a time!

On the bottom of most employment applications is and affidavit that states something like you are swearing under the pain of prerjury that the information you supplied is true. If you do not answer the questions truthfully you could be terminated for falsifying information on an application. A lot of infomation about people is confidential such as our medical records, But if an employer asks if you are physically able to perform your job and you answer yes but in fact know you are not you could be terminated for concealing this information in spite of the fact that your medical record is confidential. Confidentiality of records and supplying truthful info. on an application are 2 seperate issues. Is there a question on the application for a certification exam that specifically asks if you have ever been in an Alternative Program? Glad to hear that you are moving forward with your life.

[ QUOTE ]
Shelly Levitt said:
On the bottom of most employment applications is and affidavit that states something like you are swearing under the pain of prerjury that the information you supplied is true. If you do not answer the questions truthfully you could be terminated for falsifying information on an application. A lot of infomation about people is confidential such as our medical records, But if an employer asks if you are physically able to perform your job and you answer yes but in fact know you are not you could be terminated for concealing this information in spite of the fact that your medical record is confidential. Confidentiality of records and supplying truthful info. on an application are 2 seperate issues. Is there a question on the application for a certification exam that specifically asks if you have ever been in an Alternative Program? Glad to hear that you are moving forward with your life. [/quote
I think what you are talking about when you mention are you able to preform the duties with minimal or reasonable accomondations. Once you are cleared with the board that is all that you have to say. They have no business getting into your medical records unless you give them permission. I knew of a case where the employer had the doctor check the nurse for HIV when he was in the hospital for something else and then fired him. he sued and won. Most of the time it is the insurance companies that are doing the digging and if they think you are a high risk they will tell the company to get rid of you or they will up the premiums for every one. The company will usually get rid of you. Nice insurance once again dictates the course of some ones life. I usually opt out of the insurance for this reason. I was never in the alternative program but do have a problem leg. This is one of the reasons I have such a hard time getting employment even though I have not been hurt on the job and have been a nurse for 25 years I still get this crap.

Just my humble opinion, but I would not tell anybody that doesn't need to know. Alot of folks have many preformed opinions about the subject that may have to do with their own family situations. I know when I was in a position where everyone knew about my recovery I was harassed. I was once accused of smelling like etoh at work, got pulled off the job taken to be tested by security etc. Turns out I blew a 000 breathalizer (sp?) and passed the urine screen with flying colors. The silver lining is they had to pay me while I was off, but it was humiliating just the same.