Nursing Student question HELP!

Ash1121 · Apr 21, 2014

I think the DUI may interfere with your chances of getting hired by certain employers. Example being I have a friend with a DUI on her record who passed her NCLEX 5 months ago. She has had an abundance of interviews but when it comes down to getting hired she thinks her DUI has something to do with her lack of job offers. I definitely think having EMT experience will give you an advantage of getting into the ER. Example being the hospital has an established role in the ED called an "ED tech." This is basically a CNA with paramedic/EMT/fire medic experience. I think they are responsible for more skills than a typical CNA. With a BSN under your belt plus EMT experience I think you'd definitely be an advantage regarding a position as an ER nurse.

richardvelaEMT · Apr 21, 2014

i don't want any of you to feel like i'm entitled because i asked a question. It was simply a curiosity. I do not have years in the nursing work force. Working in EMS i know we hire females as much as possible do to pt requests for female only, And we have predominantly Males called out to lift assists with bariatric pt.

I will contact the BON regarding my situation because ive heard they handle all cases differently, im hoping the time that has elapsed by my graduation date and because i was so young will work in my advantage.

i really appreciate everyone who has commented and helped me, medicine is my calling in life and i know id make a great RN/NP one day.

richardvelaEMT · Apr 21, 2014

being male might help in certain markets...nursing isn't one of them. As a former department manager in the emergency department I do NOT look at whether an applicant is male or female I look for qualifications and are they a good "fit" and whether the "maleness" is a sense of entitlement for the individual.
Yes your DUI may impact you being able to sit for the NCLEX and the BON WILL care regardless of how long ago it was.....I suggest you contact the BON now and legal advice to see if the DUI can be expunged. You not only have a DUI but violated state liquor laws. You were under age. Tow biggies for the BON

Do you personally know any RN/NP who had a successful career post DUI conviction? and as a admin do you recommend anything to help me down the line to set me in front of the crowd when apply for jobs, such as volunteer work? when apply against people with "clean reords"

richardvelaEMT · Apr 21, 2014

i just tried calling the BON in CA and they wernt taking calls due to a high call volume, i emailed

Enforcement

For information on disciplinary action or filing a complaint against an RN.

Fax: (916) 574-7693

Email: [email protected]

Does that look like the right place to ask??

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 22, 2014

i just tried calling the BON in CA and they wernt taking calls due to a high call volume, i emailed
Enforcement
For information on disciplinary action or filing a complaint against an RN.
Fax: (916) 574-7693
Email:[email protected]
Does that look like the right place to ask??

I don't think that's correct-- looks like it is for those who already have a license and have disciplary action against them or want to make a complaint about a licensed RN. Perhaps in their response they might be able to direct you to the correct email or person.

justjohn · Apr 22, 2014

A truncated version of my very long post elsewhere on this very subject: Males have not systematically been refused entry into nursing school just because they are male. They have historically simply chosen not to pursue Nursing as a career because it was derisively viewed as "women's work." Therefore, preferential recruiting for males is not necessary.
ETA: Historically oppressed groups in professions often will pose their questions about entering a field as, "Will they accept me?" Time and again, when males ask the question on this site, they pose the question like this, "What advantages are given to me because I'm male?" Quite telling, don't you think?

Accordding to an article published on this website on April 17, only women were accepted to nursing schools in the early 1900s and men were not allowed in the Army or Navy nurse corps until after the Korean War. I'm not saying that men should or should not have an advantage. I just can't understand why someone who ask a question gets attacked here. And if you don't really know what you are talking about, you should sit quietly in front of your computer and not just make stuff up. Two examples have been provided to proves your statement wrong. You would also discover that nursing positions were originally held by men until the men were needed to fight in wars. Only then did it fall to women. So to say men stay away from nursing because it is "women's work," is not a very educated statement. You and the 8 others who liked your post can now attack me. Please just make sure you know what you are talking about first!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Apr 25, 2014

ProPublica + LA Times did an expose in 2010 over California BON lax oversight of RNS with criminal backgrounds: When Caregivers Harm

Since that time they have been enforcing laws on the books and throughly conducting background checks prior to issuing license especially when DUI involved. Due to volume of applications from Internationally Educated Nurses seeking magic US license, double digit increase in CA nursing student graduations, underfunding and budget cutbacks (staff were only allowed to work 4 days week 1-2 years ago,) along with investigation time needed to review your application, expect any nursing license application to take 3-6 months for review/approval. Daily volume of calls to BON exceeds ability to handle, most will not provide advice as changed to protect public AFTER application submission.

1. Read our FAQs section.

2. Gather information on criminal conviction from courthouse as will need to submit with application.

3. Need to show evidence of drug and alcohol education, sobriety, counseling

4. Certifications: maintain BCLS, obtain ACLS, PALS

5. Read Why Emergency Nursing? - Emergency Nurses Association and follow advice to make you a top notch employee candidate.

6. Volunteer - activities beyond requirements for nursing program desired as well rounded applicant

My success story. California brn with a dui. has members experiences with BON.

Allnurses members postings have shown that one can have a "checkered past", matured, accepted help and advice, gone onto graduate level education and have had successful careers as NP's.

Best wishes in your journey.

macfar28 · May 5, 2014

I work in inpatient psych and we are desperate for male staff. Sorry to burst bubbles but being male does give you an advantage. We have adolescent males who need male role models and obvioulsy we have more and more dangerous patients to manage. I just think this is a reality, whether fair, legal or not. Lastly, the OP asked a simple question and I think was judged unfairly.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 5, 2014

Question #1: I have a DUI on my record when i was 18 years old, by the time my schooling passes do you think it will be a long enough gap for it to be irrelevant?

Only your state's BON can answer that question. I see you are in CA...CA's BRN can be notoriously picky about DUIs, even ones from long ago.

BONs tend NOT to answer Yay or Nay until you actually apply for licensure. That being said, you could always drop them an e-mail and ask what they think. You could do it anonymously if you prefer...but the fact it that if/when you do apply, you'll have to declare this to them anyway.

Question #2:Will being an EMT with field and critical care experience set me ahead of the crowd applying for NP school? or getting into an ED dept?

I'm neither in NP school nor work ED (at least, not medical ED), so I can't tell you how much it would help you. I don't think it could hurt you in any way though :)

Question #3: is being a Male any advantage in the nursing field? or in the ED?

It's not an automatic, "oh, he's a man, we simply MUST get him in because of that!" attitude. But some specialties are more welcoming of males than others. Like a previous poster here, I also work psych, which can be rough at times d/t the patient population. The ratio of male to female nurses is about 1:1. It's certainly no disadvantage when applying to psych jobs.

Likewise, other specialties, particularly those involving women's health, may not be as welcoming of males. Personally, it never bothered me that I had male doctors and nurses when I delivered my children. But a lot of female patients (and admittedly, sometimes their families) are not comfortable with males having such--for lack of a better phrasing--access to intimate areas/topics.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 5, 2014

I don't think that's correct-- looks like it is for those who already have a license and have disciplary action against them or want to make a complaint about a licensed RN. Perhaps in their response they might be able to direct you to the correct email or person.

Agreed.

Try writing [email protected]