Has anyone out there been convicted of a DUI? Help!!!!

jmo1231 · Mar 20, 2012

Dear Love,

I was convicted of a DUI last year and I am in the nurse monitoring program in PA. I immediately went to rehab inpatient and outpatient and have beed attending AA ever since the DUI. See, for me, the DUI was an awakening to get help before I kill someone or myself. Thank God I didnt harm anyone the day I got behind the wheel impaired. Anyway , a year later I am clean, sober and grateful to God , AA, FRIENDS AND FAMILY. You will be evaluated for the Nurse Monitoring Program. You leave alot of pertinent info out of your post like what state the DUI occured? How high was your BAC because the court and mental health evaluators look at it. Also do you have an addiction problem? If you think so or are not sure check out AA. Dpending on the type of nursing you practice the restrictions shouldnt be to limiting for a first offense DUI assuming no other issues are found. I would listen to your lawyer and keep your lips sealed for now. Good luck and keep us informed.

MichelleIowaR.N. · Mar 21, 2012

I'm in Iowa and had 1 DUI before I became an L.P.N. and getting an unencumbered license wasn't a problem. Unfortunately while I was in school to finish my R.N. I got a second DUI. My R.N. license was granted on a probationary term for one year. I know that in Iowa and Nebraska the BON usually doesn't take action if it's your first DUI. Not sure where you're from, every BON is different. You can try and call and ask them what to expect but chances are they won't tell you anything besides "it's a board decision". They're real secretive like that... it's really frustrating. And when I say every BON is different I mean it, the only thing they all have in common is that none of them will tell you anything until the decision is made. If you're already employed though chances are that even if your license is placed on probation you probably won't lose your job, ecspecially if one of your co-workers is also on probation. That and you were arrested for DUI, if your license was placed on probation for diverting narcs or somthing it might be a different story.

P.S. Keep the DUI on the D.L. until you're convicted (IF you're convicted) Do NOT tell the BON anything that you are not required to. They'll only use it against you and Do NOT get another DUI!!

Good luck to you!

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 21, 2012

I have recently been arrested for a DUI but I have not been charged with anything. I have never been in trouble with the law before my whole life (dont have a criminal record) and I am really scared.

Honey, if you've been physically arrested, you have indeed been charged with something. Sorry to have to introduce you to the world of criminal justice, but you need to understand some basic things before you can mount a defense or even make an informed decision about whether to plead guilty or go to trial.

There's a difference between being charged with a crime and being convicted of that crime. A criminal charge is nothing more, and nothing less, than a written notification to a court of law that a) there is reasonable suspicion that you did something illegal, and b) you are being called before the court to answer the allegations against you. All persons arrested in the United States are presumed innocent; the state has to prove its case. And since you have not pleaded guilty or been told by a judge that you're guilty of DUI, you don't have a conviction as yet.

You will want to hire the best attorney you can possibly afford, preferably one who is familiar with DUI and can advise you on when you should notify your employer and the BON. I think each state has its own rules, but this is where a competent lawyer can save your career, so follow his/her advice to the letter. When you appear in court, be sure to dress conservatively, behave respectfully, and speak only when spoken to (whatever you do, DON'T volunteer any information---this is not a time to develop a case of verbal incontinence).

And.......whether you truly have an alcohol problem or not, please consider attending a few sessions of AA, Rational Recovery, or a similar self-help group. You may gain some insight, and participation will make you look better in the eyes of both the court and the BON.

Wishing you the best......just don't do this again, OK?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 21, 2012

Moved to nursing licensure with a criminal history

stu.nurse · Mar 23, 2012

I was charged with a DUI in 2008 (I was an elementary school teacher)...enrolled in nursing school in 2010. Will grad. in May 2012. Have been sweating out the licensing stuff not knowing if I would be able to get a license/sit for exams. Just found out I am good to go! FYI--I was honest with the BON and admitted/apologized for everything.

katherine100, LPN · Mar 26, 2013

Hope you are aware you must report this to the BON. In fact a woman who worked there told me it pops up when your name is run internally. So you cannot hide it.

randyis250 · Dec 12, 2013

Hi everyone, i was wondering if anyone knew what my actions should be if i recently got a dui. Would i be able to be admitted to an rn program? should i wait until my probation is over. At the moment, my lawyer is fighting my case well to try and get me the least charged possible. If i ended up get convicted, the question is would i be able to be admitted to a school while on probation or should i wait until my probation is over and then try? I am 22 and just recently graduated with a BS and decided i want to go into nursing. I know what i did was a horrible awful decision and by far the worst thing that i have ever done in my life and now its ruining me because of my awful decision. Now after this has happened i am lost on what to do with my life and need advice on the direction i should be heading. I do know i want to do this for sure but do not know how i should approach my problem.

any advice is appreciated