Any advice on which path to take, IPN or self-report and go from there?

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I am a practicing nurse in FL. In 2007 I got a DUI and self reported to the BON, they gave me a written warning and dismissed my case. Well, 4.5 years later I did it again. Since then I have been in counseling and attending AA to change my life style. I was not an alcoholic, but my life style was meet the guys for a couple beers. As we know, it only takes a couple to get charged. Since the incident I do not go out with the guys anymore and very rarely have a drink. I am unsure if I should self-report to IPN or self-report to the BON and see if they request it. Any advice from someone who has been down this road would be great.

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When I was practicing, I was told that if a nurse fails to report a DUI, s/he may find himself in a great deal of trouble. As DUI is a criminal charge, I would consider consulting an attorney. It's better to be proactive while you still have a license and you presumably can afford counsel. I would get into some kind of treatment ASAP, even if you don't feel like you are an alcoholic. It's much harder to be objective about your own condition than you might think. It is optimal to stay as far away from a board mandated recovery program as you possibly can.

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I would self report. If you don't and the board finds out you will probably face an immediate suspesion. You do not feel you have a problem with alcohol but you have gotten 2 DUI's. By your own admission you still drink and state you don't go out with men any longer. That activity could start at anytime by natural drsires and someone else with equal desires. It is legal and allowed. The board will probably put you in an RNP program and perhaps demand psychiatric eval, rehab and mandatory AA meetings for several years. If you are going to AA you should not be drinking at all. Right now you apear to be preparing for your next DUI and the results could be fatal to you or an innocent stranger and your license.

Dobe55 said:
I am a practicing nurse in FL. In 2007 I got a DUI and self reported to the BON, they gave me a written warning and dismissed my case. Well, 4.5 years later I did it again. Since then I have been in counseling and attending AA to change my life style. I was not an alcoholic, but my life style was meet the guys for a couple beers. As we know, it only takes a couple to get charged. Since the incident I do not go out with the guys anymore and very rarely have a drink. I am unsure if I should self-report to IPN or self-report to the BON and see if they request it. Any advice from someone who has been down this road would be great.
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You must report any charges (if found guilty) to the BON. If I were you, I'd get an attorney that handles cases before the board. I don't think there's any way around getting disciplined by the Board even if you self report. You will likely be on probation for a period of time. Good luck.....

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Specializes in Education.
Dobe55 said:
I was not an alcoholic, but my life style was meet the guys for a couple beers. As we know, it only takes a couple to get charged.

You're not an alcoholic but you've had 2 DUIs in less than 5 years??

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Specializes in FMF CORPSMAN USN, TRUAMA, CCRN.
Dobe55 said:
I am a practicing nurse in FL. In 2007 I got a DUI and self reported to the BON, they gave me a written warning and dismissed my case. Well, 4.5 years later I did it again. Since then I have been in counseling and attending AA to change my life style. I was not an alcoholic, but my life style was meet the guys for a couple beers. As we know, it only takes a couple to get charged. Since the incident I do not go out with the guys anymore and very rarely have a drink. I am unsure if I should self-report to IPN or self-report to the BON and see if they request it. Any advice from someone who has been down this road would be great.

Dobe55, It is difficult what to make of your post, as it is spoken both in present and past tense and 4.5 years doesn't quite add up to present day. Since then, is since when exactly? and are you currently in counseling and attending AA? Do you now admit that you are an alcoholic or not? I'm sorry, perhaps I should have prefaced all of this with the fact that I am in recovery myself and have been since 1996. For a total of 6064 days, one day at a time. I was never in the IPN program as I never was arrested for DUI or narcotics arrest involving patients or the like. It is all going to have to start with you. If you would like, I would be willing to chat with you in a more private setting. All you have to do is let me know and I will arrange for that. I understand it can be difficult and embarrassing in the beginning. I am also a Florida Nurse, but I have been retired for several years now.

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Hopefully you can find a female in recovery to talk with.

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You need to call IPN can deal with them 1st before the BON get's a hold of your information. IPN is a pain to deal with, but if you do what they tell you your DUI's will not effect your license and it will not show on your license. If you deal with the BON it's going to show on your license and that will make things 10x's harder for you.

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Does The Florida BON run background checks for license renewals? In my state they do, so anyone who hasn't reported a DUI or any other criminal charge gets found out anyway.

I hope Southernpoint is correct about IPN involvement and compliance with monitoring not impacting your license. In my state, the BON puts anyone who is on criminal probation-like for a DUI on licensure probation as well. Many, many more nurses are being placed on probation in my state regardless of compliance with monitoring.

Best Wishes to you.

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In Texas, you have only have to report when you renew your license, but you are not reported to TPAPN which is Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses until your 3rd DWI.

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In Louisiana you are given much more support and help if you self report and the earlier you do it the better. It shows you know you have a problem and you want help to solve it. If you dont self report and try to fight it you will be treated in a much harsher way. You have already admitted on here what you did so you know that you did something that would be questionable to the board.

nurse in FL. In 2007 I got a DUI and self reported to the BON, they gave me a written warning and dismissed my case. Well, 4.5 years later I did it again. Since then I have been in counseling and attending AA to change my life style. I was not an alcoholic, but my life style was meet the guys for a couple beers. As we know, it only takes a couple to get charged. Since the incident I do not go out with the guys anymore and very rarely have a drink. I am unsure if I should self-report to IPN or self-report to the BON and see if they request it. Any advice from someone who has been down this road would be great.

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Florida BON does look back I believe 10 years now. I know of Nurse's who have been deciplined over something that happen prior to them becoming a nurse. It honestly doesn't pay. Just do what needs to be done if you want to keep your license. Call IPN and jump through their hoops. IM me if you need any help or have questions.

SP

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