colorado RN new misdemeanor

telern1, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2017

Thank you for your honesty and keeping our profession one of the most honest still. It sucks you got the DUI.

I don't know if you've looked up the CO DORA website, but here's the link to their main page.

Go down to Board of Nursing Rules, and you'll surf the web to Google Drive and open up their 122 page document on governing rules. You can hopefully find the answer of self reporting in there.

Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (CO DORA)

chare · Dec 5, 2017

I'm a current Colorado RN that received a DUI arrest in florida that resulted in a RECKLESS DRIVING misdemeanor. I've been trying to call the board of nursing for weeks now with no call back on theyre self reporting rules. Does anyone know the rules for the board of nursing of Colorado on this matter? Do I have to self report this? and HOW do I self report this?

again, I've called dora for weeks and left 20 voicemails with no call back! I've also read though the laws and rules and it only state felonies, not misdemeanors, info. please help !!

First, DO NOT call the Board of Nursing regarding this, as they are charged with protecting the public, your best interests are not their concern.

Whether the requirement is to report it now, or when you apply for license renewal, it appears that you might have to do so. From the Law Office of H. Michael Steinberg's Will My DUI, DWAI, DUDI or Other Colorado Criminal Conviction Take my Nurse's License? page. This is from the Not Just "On Duty" Issues â€“ Your Nurse's License Is 24 â€“ 7 â€“ "Off-Duty" Conduct section, located midway down the page:

Many of the "criminal" issues surrounding the practicing nurse arise at the job site â€“ but many do not.
Private or "off-duty" Conduct can also impact the nurse's licensure status. The Board's mandate is to protect the public, and therefore "off-duty" conduct may become relevant to nursing practice. A DUI (driving under the influence) charge, the use of recreational or illegal drugs, accusations of child or elder abuse, the violation of Colorado civil restraining orders, writing bad checks, conduct that reflects dishonesty or questionable judgment are ALL relevant to public safety.
The Colorado Nurse's License application and renewal forms require the disclosure of all criminal cases.
[...]

Also, from the same section:

[...]
Here are the kinds of questions that are asked....
4. Have you ever been convicted, entered a plea of guilty, nolo contendere, or no contest for any felony, misdemeanor or petty offense?

5. Have you ever been convicted, pled no contest/nolo contendere, or had a court accept a plea to a criminal motor vehicle offense of DUI/DWI/DWAI/OWI or any traffic offense involving drugs or alcohol?

8. Do you now abuse or excessively use, or have you in the last five years abused or excessively used, any habit forming drug, including alcohol, or any controlled substance that has a) resulted in any accusation or discipline for misconduct, unreliability, neglect of work, or failure to meet professional responsibilities; or b) affected your ability to practice as a professional nurse safely and competently?

10. Have you been arrested for an alcohol or drug-related offense other than stated in question No. 5?
[...]

If you haven't done so, you might consider consulting with an attorney experienced in handling these issues before the Colorado Board of Nursing.

Best wishes as you work through this issue.

NurseJQ · Jun 1, 2023

Hello. I am wondering what ended up happening with the board of nursing with your DUI? I was arrested in Colorado for a DUI, I have court next month so I haven't been convicted yet. I'm trying to get an idea of what to expect as far as my nursing license goes. Any information would be greatly appreciated.