BSN with recent dui denied to sit for the nclex California

caliotter3 · Jun 4, 2017

Well, can you afford the time and effort required to deal with CA, or do you need to work soon? Do you know for a fact that the going will be easier in CO? I would take the path of least resistance and deal with CO, if I had a better chance of getting what I wanted at a faster pace and in a less painful manner. CA can be a bear to deal with, and that is talking about people who don't have problems to deal with along the way, other than how the CA Board works.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 4, 2017

Hi,
I had just received my denial letter from California and am wondering if it is worth it to go through the appeal process and attempt to land a job in California on probation or just switch and apply to take my nclex in Colorado?
I had made the poor decision to drink and drive and am now paying for it. I understand the seriousness and would appreciate it if the negative comments were left to a minimum! This is a very devastating time and I hope some of you can shed some light on my decision.
Thank you!

I'm curious as to why you have the idea that Colorado will have a lesser issue with a DUI than California?

Extra Pickles · Jun 4, 2017

Do you have some reason to believe that Colorado (why Colorado?) would be ok with the DUI when CA wasn't?

Timboslice · Jun 4, 2017

I am not actually sure if they would be easier. I have just heard how tough CA bon can be and was trying to see if anyone with a dui has had better luck with another state

oceanblue52 · Jun 4, 2017

The CO BoN also asks about criminal history too, you would probably be better off appealing and getting started with a monitoring program in CA, so you are not having to deal with that AND the additional stress of relocating to another state. Best of luck to you.

Lhalty · Jun 5, 2017

Each state bon has a different policy when it comes to offenses such as DUI. Some of them for instance if you have only one DUI and it's older than 5 years they will issue your credential with no restrictions. California is the toughest one when it comes to Dui.

Career Columnist / Author · Jun 5, 2017

Just popping in to say good luck. Maybe CA wants to see perseverance in application? They always want to see responsibility and remorse. Have you consulted an attorney? Everyone deserves a second chance and I hope you get a chance to find your way.

Nurse_ · Jun 8, 2017

I think it'll be worth to fight it. I personally know someone who had two theft charges that applied to the boards and fought to sit for the NCLEX and succeeded. She was honest. She didn't get a lawyer, she represented herself and after two meetings/hearings, they granted her request (with stipulations).

It's a case by case basis. You will meet resistance in every state, I don't necessarily think one state is easier than the other. You should fight for what you want.

elijahvegas, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 8, 2017

you've gone and offended every CO nurse because theres an implication that getting your license will be easier there than CA if you're wondering about all the questions regarding it haha.

At any rate,

i hear cali is a pain to get your license in with a criminal record, esp when it comes to DUI. in certain cases they deny you outright. Ive thought about traveling and as much as id like to go to cali i cant take how impossible it is to live there ( if you're a smoker, forget about it. you have a better chance of being accept socially if you were a leper!)

so if CO has reciprocity over to CA and they are compact states, i say go for it. i have friends that have failed the nclex so many times they considered flying out to another state to take it rather than having to deal with the remediation process our state has here.

path of least resistance my friend. if CO and CA aren't compact, then id reconsider. I hear OH is also very lenient when it comes to criminal records and licensing, might be worth looking into.

Good luck

manager123 · Jun 8, 2017

California is not a compact state. Since the DUI is recent, you might need to talk to a lawyer. It will be worth the expense but make sure you are talking to a lawyer with experience for CA BRN issues. . . not just a lawyer that specialized in DUI. There are lawyers that advertise they can get the DUI charges dropped based on issues with the testing. If that happens, the BRN might reconsider. Yes, it does sound like two different lawyers for different issues.

If you had a license already, it is usually probation for the first DUI, potential random drug monitoring, mandatory board reporting for various required actions, meeting with a supervisor from the BON, taking additional CEs, meeting with a psychologist, etc etc.

The best scenario is to try to get the DUI charge dropped, declared not guilty, etc and proceed from there. If the charges don't go away, then another type of lawyer (used to working with BRN in CA) is a definite must.

As for other states being more lenient, not sure about those reports being true and probably depends on circumstances.

Good luck as you process through this.

AD89SD · Jun 9, 2017

Hey, I was wondering about your timeline from when you applied and when you heard back from the board? I am in a similar situation with having a conviction that occurred 5 years ago (I was charged with possession of a control substance without a prescription... I had two Adderall on me while I was studying for finals), I successfully completed the DEJ program and charges were dismissed and terminated. I did hire an attorney for my application process. Yesterday marked 12 weeks since the board has had my application and hoping I will be hearing at least something soon regarding my status/situation