CA Application w/ DUI Advice

xbananachipsx, BSN, RN · Apr 7

do you have an assigned nursing counselor when you were in school? I forget what they're called but they were like guidance counselors. I would see if they can write you a letter, otherwise hound your professors for a letter. don't give up!

Marisa Johnson · Apr 8

@xbananachipsx I have been out of school for 1.5 years and the only professors I remotely had any interaction with I haven't seen or spoken to in 3 years.

Jayyyr454 · Apr 14

Hey there! Im also in the same boat as you. I got my dui back in march of 2024. Graduated in December of 2024. Took my NCLEX PN in CA in march. Got denied in the beginning on April due to not enough evidence of rehabilitation. Currently I'm trying to get attorney to file a appeal. I would definitely get your dui expunged and apply for your license. As far for your letters any employer you worked for, friends, family or any classmates since there already nurses are great for reference letters. Good luck.

cristorod90 · May 8

Get it dismissed! You do not need a lawyer, I did it without one! Unfortunately, the courts took FOREVER in sending the documents I needed to fill out, and they sent them AFTER the BRN denied my RN this January. I just got my DUI felony dismissed a few weeks ago.

Go to the courthouse of the county where it happened, go to the public defenders office and say you want to get your conviction expunged. They'll give you a packet to fill out, then you send it back to them. This is where they a lifetime to send me what I needed. It's called a 1203.4 dismissal. It's going to ask for evidence of rehabilitation, personal statement of how you've changed and have remorse etc, letters of rec from others, education, volunteer work, etc.

I am currently appealing my denial and I am sending this 1203.4 dismissal along with a bunch of other crap soon. Please reach out if you have ANY questions! My name is Cristobal 🙂

Marisa Johnson · May 9

Hey! I actually already filled out the packet for the Public defender (it's online) for dismissal. I just got the rest of my letters of rec and will be submitting this weekend along with my personal statement, school documentation, etc :)

I just don't know if they are strong enough even though my dui misdemeanor was an isolated event and I have no criminal history etc.

Marisa Johnson · May 9

Cristobal,

What evidence of rehabilitation would you recommend? I've never been a big drinker (my dui BAC was low), I've always had steady jobs, no criminal record, good driving history. I'm not sure what I would need since I don't have issues with substances and have been working 6-7 days a week since graduating my program.

cristorod90 · May 9

Yea, I hear you on that. I had one DUI from 2016, but I crashed and caused injury. I would go months without drinking, then usually in the Summer I would ease up and drink, but nothing crazy until I realized drinking didn't resonate with me and just stopped altogether in 2019. But here is what I am getting together for my appeal, evidence for rehabilitation...

1. Resume

2. Performance Evaluations

3. Continuing Education Certificates - transcripts of courses, proof of attendance of training, seminars, or conferences, and/or evidence of completion or sustained enrollment in formal educational or vocational training.

4. Letters of Support - employers, professors, pastors, leaders in the community, etc

5. Personal Motivation/Passion Statement; Activities - A heartfelt, informal statement about why your professional license is important to you, detailing your career achievements and background. Please include how you have changed since the incident and how the incident will make you a better licensed professional for your clients/patients.

In addition, list ANY Activities which you have used to prevent a reoccurrence of an offense (Example: areas of personal growth, continued education not related to your license, exercise programs, voluntary associations, etc

6. Proof of Counseling/Therapy -

Recent, dated letters from counselor, therapists, psychologists, or psychiatrists regarding any participation in therapy as part of your rehabilitation efforts. Letters should include time period and frequency of sessions, a description of the program, diagnosis and prognosis in relation to safety to practice, the credentials of the author of the letter, and any other relevant information.

7. Proof of Participation in Support Groups - Recent, dated letters describing participation in support groups, e.g., Professional Support Groups, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, etc. Letters should include dates and frequency of attendance and documentation of attendance such as sign in-sheets.

8. Proof of Completion of Wellness Courses (if you have done any) - an example would be https://mentalhealth.openpathcollective.org/ and print the certificate (the prices range for however many hours you do)

9. Community Service - Any evidence demonstrating a significant and conscientious involvement in the community, church, or privately sponsored programs designed to provide social benefits or ameliorate social problems.

10. Other Accolades/Awards

11. Hair Follicle Testing - best if there has been abstinence history (goes back about 3-4 months, but it's pricey)

12. Referral to Psychiatrist - also pricey, but they can write a report that evaluates your risk of drinking which can add some weight to your RN appeal and 1203.4.

I am here for you! It is such a stressful and unfair obstacle to surmount, especially when you have worked hard and have been responsible! If youd like to text or email as well, I would be more than happy to respond that way as well!

Marisa Johnson · May 9

Wow, that's a lot! I didn't cause injury or an accident. Wouldn't the court have all that information that was court mandated aka the AA attendance etc? I've never been a drinker so I'm not sure what extensive evidence I would need to prove that. I guess I could ask for a psych reference to show that? All I have is my transcript + degree, letters of recommendation from work, coworkers or friends, a few nursing certs I did during school and my community service hours through court.

cristorod90 · May 9

I feel that you wouldn't have much of a challenge appealing the denial due to it being a misdemeanor and your absence of criminal history. And yes, a psychiatrist can evaluate you for substance use disorder and write a report. And yes, obtain all those if you can and send them. If you still drink (even if it is very moderate), I'd recommend stopping for the time being. Maybe even volunteer if you can. I know you said you work a lot, but if possible, then find somewhere to volunteer for like an hour a week.

I am sorry you're going through this; it's an unfair process where your character is not thoroughly evaluated, and more of a checkbox assessment is made. There's a nursing shortage as well so why deny someone to help the system? The logic makes no sense. But keep at it! I have heard countless occasions where licenses were issued after appealing with a 1203.4!

roxana opazo · Jun 6

Jayyyr454 said:

Hey there! Im also in the same boat as you. I got my dui back in march of 2024. Graduated in December of 2024. Took my NCLEX PN in CA in march. Got denied in the beginning on April due to not enough evidence of rehabilitation. Currently I'm trying to get attorney to file a appeal. I would definitely get your dui expunged and apply for your license. As far for your letters any employer you worked for, friends, family or any classmates since there already nurses are great for reference letters. Good luck.

Hi. I was wondering if you had any luck yet?