Another nursing student DUI

[gingersnap534]

Hi,

I don't mean to keep beating a dead horse on the subject, but I was not dealing well with the stresses in my life and went out drinking and got a DUI. I am not taking this lightly and am doing all that the court requires of me and more. I've already contacted my board of nursing who said it would not necessarily bar me from getting licensed. My question for other people out there who are experiencing the same thing as me is whether I should tell my school about it. My lawyer thinks it isn't necessary, but I'm not sure it's the most honest thing to do. I have no idea whether they would kick me out or be understanding about the situation, given that I am taking full blame and am taking steps to deal better with my stress. What have others out there done in my situation?

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

We cannot offer legal advise to you. Since your attorney is advising you about this, we cannot offer anything more, legally.

Experience dealing with these issues: If your nursing program specifically requests this information, the best policy is honesty. The BON can only give you information about possible licensure. Once you have completed a nursing program, the BON will then make a decision if you can be licensed.

But, as I stated, honesty is always the best policy especially if your nursing program specifically requests this information. In some clinicals (hospitals, etc.), any student who has been charged and convicted of a crime cannot enter into the clinical area without clearance. So, your nursing program may require this information of you to fulfill the clinical obligations.

Good luck.