BRN DUI Success Story

[Harborrn9]

I decided to post about my success story because during my application process, this was one of the only sites I had to turn to for help. I hope that my story can help someone in a similar situation.

Having a DUI in today's society will haunt you everywhere you go, and as a nursing student it is amplified 100 times. All through school not only was I worried about passing, I always had a little voice in the back of my head reminding me that at the end of my 2 years, the BRN may deny my application. I spent the first 3 semesters focusing on passing, but when it came to 4th semester I had to start to plan and prepare for my application process. As the rest of my classmates were eager and excited to start getting their livescan and turning in their apps, I was a ball of anxiety.

I started to gather all of my documents together and began writing my letter of explanation. I decided to turn to a lawyer for help with the letter, as I wanted to ensure that everything was worded correctly. I'm not sure if I would necessarily recommend my lawyer as he basically only changed a few words in my letter and charged $2000, but he did help to ease my mind a little bit. I ran into a snag with the police department who arrested me when they would not give me a certified copy of my arrest report. For some reason that I do not understand, they don't give certified copies to anyone unless requested by a government agency. I went to court and got a certified copy of the court documents, and they were able to give me a copy of the police report they had on file but it could not be certified. Although this was not what the BRN wanted, it was the best I could get so I went with it.

On May 16, 2016 I submitted by application to the BRN. The following day I mailed in:

-letter of explanation (My DUI was 7 years ago, however my BAC was over 0.2)

-certified court documents

-uncertified copy of arrest report

-letter of reference from my Associate Dean who was aware of my DUI

-copy of expungement

I had considered getting an Alcohol and Drug Assessment done as I saw that others recommended it, but it was going to cost another $450, so I decided to hold off.

On June 2 I graduated from Nursing school. The following week I mailed the BRN copies of the 2 awards I had been given at graduation, trying to fluff up my application.

August 17- I received a letter from the BRN requesting certified copies of the arrest report, as the ones that the court had given me were not good enough. I took this letter from the BRN to the police department, and they were able to mail the certified copy for me.

It was at this point that I decided to go ahead and get the drug and alcohol assessment done. I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I had gotten denied, wondering if the assessment would have made any difference. August 27 I had the assessment done, and on August 29 I mailed the BRN a copy of the assessment.

September 19- I received a letter from the BRN stating that they were not pursuing any disciplinary action against me, and that my file was being returned back to the licensing unit.

Although I was almost certain that I would initially be denied, based on all of the other stories that I'd heard, I wasn't. I know that each case is evaluated on its own circumstances, but I wanted to try and give some hope out there to people like me. My advice would be to do everything you can. Don't cut corners or costs... this is your career. I would also add that if you do have anything in your past, you should be doing things now in your present to show that you are a different person (volunteering, student council, etc). I was president and valedictorian of my graduating class because I needed to be... to show the BRN how badly I wanted this and to show rehabilitation.

Good luck to anyone reading this.

[reggaemuffin, MSN, NP, CNS]

I think the take away from this is that you were organized, informed and on the ball. You put in the effort and made this a priority. Good lesson for anyone who may be in the same spot. Congrats on your license!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Congratulations to you!

[Hellooo]

Hi there! I am in a similar position. I am in my 3rd semester and been so upset and discouraged these past few weeks. The only bad thing is I live 2000 miles away from my hometown and am having a hard time getting my certified Arrest Record. I went back and forth about having a lawyer, but can't afford one. I've already looked into a Drug and Alcohol Evaluation and hoping to have 10 or so reference letters. I have 3 misdemeanors (10 yrs old) and a DUI (7 yrs ago). I'm having a hard time with my personal statement. I was wondering if you'd mind sharing your personal letter with me to help me get started? Thanks so much for this post! It's so nice hearing success story!

[Mvang92]

I am in a similar situation. I will be graduating from LVN school in January of 2017 and I have a DUI charge in 2014 dropped to a wet wreckless conviction in april 2016. Im in the process of gathering all the documents to send to the Boards. Did you wait to send them along with the NCLEX application? Is there any forms to fill out online to let the board know the reason that you are sending them these documents? Should i send them now? I have about three months left until graduation and I want to get everything done. All my fines and programs have been paid and completed, but this mistake i made when i was 21 is forever haunting me. Please help!!