dui conviction and boards

[vdazes]

I made a very stupid mistake january of last year and got a dui (0.08) and I am now scared to death that I have worked my butt off for 5 yrs to get my RN degree and could be told no. It is the only thing on my record other than speeding in 1998. I have contacted the board and they said I have to send in a certified court disposition and self letter with my application. Has anyone else been through this and how was it handled? I am to the point that I cant even study for my last test because I am worried sick. Please help

[Mommy TeleRN, RN]

vdazes - I responded on another thread (Knoxville thread) Just do everything the board asks you to do... you are already doing the right thing by being upfront and honest with them. There are several in my school who had to do that with their apps. I am no expert but my guess is if it was an isolated incident you should be fine. People make mistakes... you learned your lesson. Keep us updated and get to studying :)

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

You might also consider that everyone who becomes a full blown drunk makes some "stupid mistakes" along the way.

You might consider that the board (and perhaps future employers) might be interested in knowing what you did about the "stupid mistake" besides just trying to make sure you get your license. In other words, what will you have done to take care of yourself?

Before you protest, please consider that substance dependent people all protest, usually quite a bit, before recognizing that they have a problem. Some never recognize the problem, and either they or someone else has, shall we say, a bad experience as a result of their using.

So you might anticipate the board's question about "what have you done about this since then." I think the responsible thing is to take some steps to examine yourself and your situation.

Who does or doesn't have a problem with substances is purely in the mind of the individual or does or doesn't have it (i.e., in this case, you), not anyone else. But the board can make its own decision. Some might consider this a sign.

Good luck--I hope you give this a serious once over. AA doesn't charge for those meetings.....

[vdazes]

thank you so much for your response. i am just so stressed out over a stupid mistake that could cost me 5 long yrs of school and my daughters future. i havent gotten much info in the way tenn. boards work, I am going to school in ky and all of our prep has been for the ky boards. i got the fingerprints done this past friday, i have asked an instructor to write me a letter of recommendation to go along with my letter of explanation. Hopefully that will help. Do you know the results of the apps your friends sent in to the boards? Good luck with yours!!!!!

[vdazes]

as part of my conviction I did attend alcohol education classes. as far as a drinking problem, dont think so. I have probably been drunk a total of 5 times in my life. I dont sip on one in the evenings just to unwind. Not everyone that gets a dui is an alcoholic or a drunk, some are though and i understand that. I am a good person and think that I have a lot to contribute to the world of nursing. I dont think that people should be beaten down over one mistake. I have worked hard to get where I am and sacrificed, along with my daughter, and been the best person I can possibly be. Thank you for your input, it is greatly appreciated.

[llnesycllne]

as part of my conviction I did attend alcohol education classes. as far as a drinking problem, dont think so. I have probably been drunk a total of 5 times in my life. I dont sip on one in the evenings just to unwind. Not everyone that gets a dui is an alcoholic or a drunk, some are though and i understand that. I am a good person and think that I have a lot to contribute to the world of nursing. I dont think that people should be beaten down over one mistake. I have worked hard to get where I am and sacrificed, along with my daughter, and been the best person I can possibly be. Thank you for your input, it is greatly appreciated.

Im a good person to. But Im also a recovering alcoholic. Alcoholism doesnt make us bad people. It is not a disease of morality. We are not bad people learning to be good. We are sick people getting well. When are people going to learn that this is a legitamate disease. And as a nurse we should know better. Its people that think like this that kept me from coming forward about my disease.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Thread is several months old but is a matter between the op and the BON. Per moderator policy we refer them to the BON and close the thread. Thanks.