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How's it going everyone. Thought I would make a post hoping that it would help anyone in a similar situation. Alright, so basically I have two prior arrests both while in college, and both for Operating While Impaired/Intoxicated. The first offense, without going into much detail, I blew a 0.10 BAC and was subsequently arrested back in 2012 in Michigan before nursing school. HOWEVER, I got a lawyer who was crazy expensive but totally worth it, fought the charge and got in reduced to Reckless Driving no questions asked.
LISTEN HERE: IF ANYONE TELLS YOU THAT GETTING A CHARGE REDUCED OR EXPUNGED IS A WAIST OF TIME AND MONEY IS WRROOONNGGG!!!! Fight any charge you have, get it reduced!!! Alright so with the Reckless Driving on my record, I applied to nursing school and got into a BIG TEN University's Nursing Program with no questions asked regarding this offense. I was enrolled in nursing school and everything was going smoothly until I got arrested AGAIN, unfortunately in 2013.
To make a long story short: I slid up onto a snow bank pulling into my apartment complex, got stuck, flagged down a passing cop car for help, was Breathalyzed, and blew a 0.06 BAC. YES THAT IS RIGHT A 0.06 BAC!!!!! Below the legal limit. I don't want to minimize what I did, especially after my first incident I should not have even thought about drinking anything and driving. Especially being in nursing school. And yes if the cops a dick and feels like ******* you over he can charge you with whatever, so yes you can get charged with a OWI/DUI if you blow below the legal limit. So be super careful. So again I hired the same attorney, charged me a **** ton of money but I eventually got the charged dropped to OWVI (operating while visibly impaired or a BAC of 0.02-0.07, which is still a misdemeanor) then reduced further after a probationary period to a careless driving, which is a civil infraction (not a misdemeanor like Reckless or OWVI or a DUI/OWI).
But I had to work my ass off to get this charged reduced, I was on probation and had to do alcohol testing everyday for 3 months straight, then after that weekly ETG tests that go back like 3-4 days to see if any alcohol is in your system for another 3 months. I had to do alcohol classes weekly and the whole shebang. But eventually after the 6 months it was erased off my record and reduced to a careless, basically a speeding ticket.
Bare with me I'm getting there....so when I graduated and went to apply for my Michigan RN license I was a little nervous. But I filled out the application, and on the section where it stated to write down any criminal CONVICTIONS I stated that I was CONVICTED of a reckless driving, and since I graduated in August and the OWVI was going to be reduced to a careless in that upcoming October, I stated that I have an OWVI, which is getting reduced in a few months to a careless, or a speeding tx. Called about 3-4 weeks after I sent in my application and the BON was like "YOU ARE GOOD, ALL CLEAR!" Didn't have to send in any court documentation or anything.
So NOTE when applying places if it asks for ANY CONVICTIONS* If an application asks for PAST CHARGES, be wary about applying to that state for your license because that means ANY CHARGES* even if they were expunged or reduced. So I took my NCLEX and passed! Then after I passed my boards, my parents moved to Louisiana and I decided to follow, work down south, and try something new.
So I applied for my RN-BY ENDORSEMENT LICENSE. I was a little scared to apply for my License in Louisiana. After I read the application it stated under the criminal history section to INCLUDE ANY CHARGES THAT HAVE BEEN DROPPED OR EXPUNGED and to send in the arresting records and court documents. So basically the Louisiana BON knows what I was originally arrested for. But I thought I got my license in Michigan no problem so Louisiana wouldn't have an issue with my record. WRONG!!!
Basically took them 2 months to investigate my criminal background. After that and calling them weekly for about 2 months, they told me it has been recommended to delay your application for 5 years!!!!!!!! NOOOOOO!!!! I already got hired down there as an RN, but wasn't working due to my application pending. So I had to quit the place I got hired at before even working because I couldn't get my license and explained the situation. I could have appealed the BON's decision regarding my license but that would have cost $$$$$$ in lawyer fees and taken months just to get a probationary license. And if you notice when applying to any other states by endorsement or renewing your RN license, and even on job applications there's a section that asks if your RN license has EVER BEEN REVOKED, DENIED, or put on PROBATION, and etc by any licensing agency. Whhhoooooo, nope!!!!! As soon as I saw that on the Texas RN-Endorsement application and when renewing my Michigan RN license I immediately called up the Louisiana BON withdrew my RN application.
So my point here is if you have a criminal record, RESEARCH THE STATES you want to apply for. Louisiana includes expunged misdemeanors so if you have a few misdemeanors, especially alcohol or drug related DON'T APPLY THERE. But Michigan I had no issue.
And Texas on the other hand, their application specifically states you DON'T have to include expunged charges or class C traffic misdemeanors. So technically I don't think I even need to include my reckless driving on the texas application but I did so just to be safe. And if it's too late and you sent your RN application to a state like Cali or Louisiana who's super strict with past criminal charges; WITHDRAW YOUR APPLICATION BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!!! You don't want to have to check yes to YES MY LICENSE HAS BEEN REJECTED BY..., or YES MY LICENSE HAS BEEN PUT ON PROBATION or YES MY LICENSE WAS DENIED BY....and have to explain this.
I know I made some poor choices in the past while at college, but I'm looking forward to moving on with my career and staying out of trouble. I'm currently moving back to Michigan from Louisiana because of this whole licensing ordeal. Thought I would try to make the most of my situation and try to help others out in the same boat, so feel free to message me or reply with any questions. Best of luck to everyone!! AND ABOVE ALL DON'T GIVE UP AND FIGHT ANY CHARGES!!
I agree with RN issues that's some useful info from someone who experienced it first hand. It's good that you're not in the nursing program when this happened, which is what happened with me. I would talk with the nursing program and maybe message the Texas Board of Nursing and see what they say regarding your criminal record.
Traffic violation charges vary from state to state. Some states consider some of the charges are infractions or unclassified misdemeanors. However, most of the traffic violations are classified as misdemeanors--such as fail to stop for a red night, fail to stop for a stop sign, passing a stopped school pass or a broken tail light are classifiable as misdemeanor. The key is whether you were arrested and fingerprinted or not, if not, the State of Georgian will give you a license. However, unlike some of you stated here, driving without a license in Georgia is a big one and the officer can arrest you for that. Before you even drive in other jurisdictions, I recommend you to study the driver manuals for that state. In Georgia, some drivers are getting a traffic violation for "move over" law which is a misdemeanor.
Do not attempt to fight the ticket without hiring a lawyer! A few thousand bucks will get you a lesser charge. DWI/DUI is not a minor offense in any states--that is including New York State which is a liberal state as some of you describe. I hope this will help.
Hey I have a question. I’m new to this site so I’m not exactly sure how to write my own post. But I live in Louisiana and I’m in the admission process right now for Chamberlain University. My background came back clear but my fingerprints are flagged due to an assault “charge” that I got while in the military. Now I never went to court or got anything for it. After the incident I was “detained” because that’s what the MP told me, I didn’t know I was going to have to do fingerprints and take pictures when I got to CID.
So my question is has anybody ever gone through this with Chamberlain and were you still able to attend? My only thought is the BON in Louisiana would make me submit documents about the incident that way I can still possibly do clinical. If anyone has any information or experience with this I’m all ears. I’m just really lost right now.
Hi Arieg94, I'm sorry I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to any charges in the military. My past experience with the Louisiana BON is that they are super strict. However, it sounds like your charge/infraction wasn't drug or alcohol related. So the BON might look at that case differently. I don't have any experience with the Chamberlain school of nursing. However, I would email the Louisiana BON or call them and see what they say. Follow up with Chamberlains school of nursing as well. If you know this charge shouldn't be on your record, meaning it was dismissed or dropped, I would follow up with whomever at the military. Like I said above I had a charge still appear on my record that was supposed to be taken off. I called the FBI, spoke with someone about how it was dropped according to court documentation, they saw that it was supposed to be dropped, and 2 weeks later it wasn't on my record. So I don't mention that incident except in these forums lol. Also, there are less strict states where you can practice as well. I'm sorry if I wasn't more assistance.
On 6/24/2019 at 10:54 AM, RNissues said:Hello Krazm,
The answer is yes. All misdemeanors and felonies regardless of deferred disposition and dismissal will come up on the background check and cause issues. The nursing board, at least in Texas, doesn’t care that the charges were dismissed after probation or if charges were brought down to a lesser charge.
I had a similar experience. After graduation the nursing board did not want to license me unless I went through 3 years on TPAPN and here’s why. 6 years prior to graduation I received a misdemeanor DWI. 11 years prior to graduation I had a felony possession of adderall that was dismissed following 8 years probation. Yes 8 years of probation for having a handful of my girlfriend’s adderall because my own prescription had lapsed at the time. I was studying for midterms for my first degree at the time and library security caught me with them which led to my arrest.
After earning my BSN I had to hire an attorney specializing in dealing with the nursing board. I sat through a really tough meeting with three representatives of the nursing board, their attorneys, their background investigator and a couple others. It was as if I was on trial. I was grilled over and over for an hour and they were not friendly or forgiving. They refused to wave the TPAPN order but did shorten it to 2 years. TPAPN is essentially a death sentence for a new nurse trying to find work. Daily call ins for urine samples, one can not distribute or handle meds and there are other limitations that make you unhirable unless you know the right people. Keep in mind that the Texas BON is extremely strict from my understanding. I can’t speak for other states.
I refused to do TPAPN because I did not have a substance abuse disorder. I never got my license after all that but I did have my BSN and another bachelors in Kinesiology. I got a job as a marketing director for an Assisted Living Facility which led to a job as a Hospital Marketing Liaison, which led to meeting doctors, medical directors, hospital administrators and nursing administrators. Nearly 6 years later I own my own business with two employees in Healthcare consulting and this, my first year of business, I’ll net over 250k conservatively. I loathe the Texas BON but in a way I owe them for forcing me to find other opportunities. The BSN and knowledge that accompanies it is quite valuable to certain employers.
My point is that there are plenty of options out there to work in healthcare if the BON creates challenges for you. Think outside the box and never discount your value. Keep up your perseverance. I know this probably isn’t what you wanted to read but it’s only one persons experience. Maybe others have had better ones. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Tony
Hello RNissues! @RNissues
My current situation is very similar to yours. I have two semesters left to finish nursing school (ASN). But after reading your post I would love to talk with you. I have a BA in Corporate communications and I need a little bit of guidance and light, I can't lie, this has been very though on me. But I know I am better than what all of this is trying to convince me. Please, reach out to me whenever you get a chance. It will mean the world to me. My email is [email protected] MUCH LOVE TO ALL OF YOU BEAUTIFUL NURSES!
Hi everyone! I was so excited to find this thread as it is hard to get straight answers on any of this. I am taking my prereqs right now and plan on applying to nursing school in a year. The programs I am looking into require me to get my CNA first which requires state licensure. I am in WA, will this be a problem? I have a single offense of a DUI that was dropped to reckless driving in 2018. Any and all info would be super helpful! Thank you!
2 hours ago, Rachel North said:Hi everyone! I was so excited to find this thread as it is hard to get straight answers on any of this. I am taking my prereqs right now and plan on applying to nursing school in a year. The programs I am looking into require me to get my CNA first which requires state licensure. I am in WA, will this be a problem? I have a single offense of a DUI that was dropped to reckless driving in 2018. Any and all info would be super helpful! Thank you!
I am in WA too. You will be fine. My friend had a DUI with resisting arrest and got her LPN license. She sent in all the court documents, a letter of explanation, and recommendation letters. There is a list of disqualifying crimes somewhere on the DOH website for CNAs and nurses to use as a reference too. Good luck to you!
Omegaseamaster
38 Posts
Hi braleyk93, I have a question: did you get your DWIs reduced? I was able to receive my Texas license no problem with my criminal record. I did get my two OWIs/DUIs reduced/dropped. I would be forthcoming if the two charges are on your record with the nursing department. However, following the completion of your probation if your charges are dropped to a lesser charge, I would see if Texas requires you to submit documentation if your charges are dropped to a lesser one. When I applied for my Texas license 5 years ago, the application stated I didn't need to send court documents so I was forthcoming with what I plead guilty to but didn't mention my original charges. But this might have changed as did Michigan's this past year where you have to submit court documentation (hence now the BON can see my original charges). There are certain states that are more lenient. I heard Colorado is pretty lenient, for example. But I might do a little research and see, and speak with your nursing program you're applying to. I definitely believe you can get your nursing license as I did, especially with your interest in the chemical dependency field and the ability to relate to patient's from personal experience. I would definitely try to tie that in if you are applying to nursing school and asked to explain your situation, etc.