My success story. California brn with a dui.

Nurses Criminal

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I just wanted to post some info about the California BRN and dui's since there isn't a lot of information out there. In my 3rd semester of school I made a stupid decision to drink and drive. I got caught and received a misdemeanor. I graduated in December and was initially denied the chance to take the NCLEX. After receiving a letter from the board I opted to go into a stipulated agreement with them. From there the attorney generals office drafted a statement of issues and sent it to the board. It took about a month but in the end the brn dropped the charges against me and is allowing me to take my nclex. I think what helped me was being honest and persistent. So don't let the process get you down and press on.

What documents did you send in with your initial application. I haven't submitted my application yet because i want to be sure I have all I need. I was also told that the letters and work eval has to be sent by the person writing them is that true?

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Specializes in non-animals.
Hello everyone I am looking for some guidance since no one I know is dealing with this. I just recently graduated but received my dui the first month of this last semester in nursing school. I have not submitted my application to the board yet but want to do it within the next week. I have not been convicted of the dui yet but I will be so I do plan on disclosing this to the board because I know they will deny the application and make me wait longer if I don’t. I have already written my letter explain the circumstance of the dui. I have the copy of the police report ready. What steps do I need to take now? If anyone can please help guide me that would be great could really use the advice. I was also wondering about the character letter I have multiple instructors and outside nurses waiting to write these for me what exactly is to be included in these and do I send those in with the police report and statement letter? Thank you in advance this has truly been one of the worst experiences I’ve ever put myself in I’ve never felt more disappointed and defeated in my life.

Depending on where you live i'd say have patience and start looking for a job outside of nursing for a little bit. I got a DUI in nursing school and it took me about 2.5 years to finally get my RN license (unrestricted thankfully). I'm hoping they fast track it for you and you get your license sooner but it is also good to have another job in the mean time instead of worrying about the BRN.

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I know this was posted a while ago, but did this affect your job eligibility? I'm sort of in a similar situation. I know that being truthful about your past mistakes is kind of the determining factor in a situation like this.

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Hi. I am a recent nursing graduate from Thailand, I am an American citizen and received my DUI in the state of California 2010 for getting pulled over from a broken tail light. I paid all my fines however, have not completed my DUI class due to my nursing courses in Thailand. I was ordered to do 3 Mos/30 hrs dui program by the dmv and have completed everything else ordered by the court. I am preparing my NCLEX application and wondering if I should apply after I finish my dui program or if I can apply now since the process will take longer because of my dui record and studying abroad. I would like to start the process as soon as possible, if i could. Please let me know some of your suggestions.

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On_E: It took the BON a day to sign the agreement, but they said it would take 2 months for them to adopt the settlement agreement and another month after that for my license to post and go into effect.

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I'm going through the stipulations right now. It's FRUSTRATING. I received a DUI Aug 2013, BCA .10. It was a routine moving violation. I had just departed a well lit parking structure in which I failed to turn on headlights (which I didn't need in the well lit parking structure). As soon as I pulled out I was pulled over and told why I was pulled over. Officer continued asking routine questions and finally asked if I had consumed any alcohol. I admitted to it...the rest is history.

Fast forward to November 2013 when Nursing Boards attorney contacts me stating I have a court hearing and if I want to "skip" the hearing I should sign paperwork subjecting me to possible probation with certain stipulations to follow depending on my case, personal character letters and other documents since he stated and I quote, and I have saved emails, "every case is looked at and treated differently". I signed my "life" away and for the next 18 months that followed I complied with EVERYTHING the court system demanded me to obey without any violation. I received Nurse of the Year in 2014, continued to grow and accomplish personal growth and obtained a Utilization Management position June 2015.... And here comes the Boards, sending me a letter stating July 3rd I will commence probation period of 3 years with 19 stipulations I have to obey with including being supervised while administering Narcotics which was never a case to begin with in my issue. Certain restrictions were applied to me that my job was unable to accommodate me for. So after 8.6 years of employment at the same facility I was terminated. Bills, child support of 1717.00/monthly, car payment, house payment hasn't stopped but my income and my medical/dental insurance for my kids and I have.

I went to see Mental/Addict specialists since that is part of the stipulation requirement and after their professional assessment of me and my past records. They suggested I don't have an alcohol problem/addition, I am competent, and they suggest I am competent to practice Nursing without any restrictions.

They Boards of course shut that down. The Boards Legal department does NOT look at each case separately. They throw all the cases in the same bundle at treatment them the same. In My Nurse Support Group meetings, there are nurses attending who unfortunately did some bad things or have additions need support. The groups are real helpful, everyone watches for one another. I wish them all the best. But i'm not quite sure why I have to attend these meetings on top of AA meetings if I hardly ever drank to begin with. This is not rehabilitation for us its punishment. Our own prison system.

I have 3-5 different employers calling me back daily because they like my resume and i'm a great candidate for the positon they are hiring for, but because of a DUI, i'm automatically disqualified. They may not discriminate due to gender, race, age, but if you have a DUI its almost impossible to get a Nursing Job.

I'm not trying to justify my DUI. I know I was wrong, but I have complied with every mandated court ordered and nursing stipulation. I just don't believe my crime fits the punishment, that is all.

If anyone here is in similar situation as I am, and know of someone who has appealed a case like this, HELP..

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

It took me two years to get my license on probation and I have had it since 2013 with no luck on finding a job. No one wants to hire a nurse on probation. I live in California and willing to relocate just to put in my time with hopes of this being removed but I have had no luck!

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That is amazing that they dropped the charges!

I just got my denial letter and am completely losing it. I had a misdemeanor of assault (I was drunk and unintentionally hit a EMT who was forcibly holding me down...) Anyway - I am afraid I will be given stipulations or worse - denied again? I will take NCLEX (FINALLY!) and appeal but I am afraid of what comes after that. Stipulations? Denial again?

Anyone have any advice? Does the AG look much at circumstances? My entire life has been about serving and I have had NO alcohol dependence or issues EVER... I thought the board would understand this but no...

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When you were in school did this charge affect your clinical placement?

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I know this thread is super old, but it looks like people keep posting here. I am about to graduate in October. I am getting ready to apply to the BRN. I had a DUI 22 years ago in another state! I don't think I need to go into the story, but I was 18 or 19 years old. I know I now have to dig up my entire past of records etc. Are they going to expect me to go to AA meetings and all kinds of crap for a DUI more than 20 years old. I know I had a high BAC. Don't remember the details. I am afraid of having a "probation" I will never get a job with that. Are there any states easier to deal with than CA? I am making an appointment with an addictionologist and will start gathering letters of character. I'm going to follow all the directions I've seen on this thread. Just wondering if there is anyone more recent in this situation and how it's going. The wait for ATT is already ridiculous. I'm just looking for a more recent timeline for this problem. Thanks

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hi Hugoval. that sounds pretty harsh. what year did you get your dui? Was there any aggravating factors like a child in the car, other stuff on your record? Are you in CA, i've read other threads where some people received fines without restriction. thank you for your info

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Want to give everyone out there some hope with another success story. I have a DUI from 2008 (BAC 0.12) and a trespassing charge from 2010 (an infraction, for being underage in a bar)...I applied for NCLEX on Dec 5 and just received my ATT today (on March 2). I believe what helped my case were the supporting documents that I sent in to the BRN:

1. I had 7 character reference letters, from old bosses, instructors with whom I bonded, my EMT teacher, and a family friend. All were extremely detailed and well written

2. My letter of explanation was HONEST. I owned up to my mistakes and stated that I knew how serious the charges were. I also outlined everything that I had done in terms of "rehabilitation" and laid out a plan for becoming an active/engaged member of my community

3. Copy of my EMT license sent in, showing that I was able to become licensed as an EMT by the National Registry even with charges on my record

4. Proof of my volunteer work

5. Proof of the alcohol rehab class I had to take for my DUI

6. My resume, showing my experience as a medical assistant

7. Nursing school transcripts including GPA

I know the BRN considers everything on a case by case basis and the wait is soooo ridiculously stressful, but I think if you take the time to make sure your letter is thoughtful and well written, and gather all of the supporting documents you can to send in, it really does make a difference. Feel free to message me if anyone has questions or would like me to look over their letter, I have done a ton of research! Good luck to all :)

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