DUI conviction.. In need of advice

[Thawksf1]

I know that it is ultimatly up to the BON to decide my ate but I would appreciate some input from anyone who is familiar with the BON espially FL, WA, OR, AND CA... I am 22 and will be completing all my prereqs for nursing school this spring semester in FLA, I was arrested in April 2011 on numerous charges being Fleeing to Elude, Resisting Arrest w/o violence, and DUI... I refused to incriminate myself by submitting to a sobriety test. In the course of the fleeing to elude I was speeding and thought I could outrun a cop. I crashed my car and ended up with a Dx. of FX Acetabulum/ Dislocated Femur... I went to court 2 months ago and the prosecution decided to "Noell proses" or "drop" the Fleeing to Elude charge.. I was convicted of DUI and resisting arrest w/o violence and sentenced to community service and DUI school. I have completed all requirements and told that I am not required to seek counseling but is recommended. I previously held an EMT license and have worked in an ER for 1 year, I know that I would like to have a career in health care but because this conviction is so recent should I get a 4 year degree and than accelerated BSN or a quick 2 year ASN program.. Thanks for the reply's.

[diva rn, BSN, RN]

I can speak with some authority about the Florida BON, now I am not sure how they would treat all of your extenuating circumstances, ie outrunning the law, crashing and resisting arrest but for a regular DUI, you should self report to the Fl IPN...to see if they will start you in the program. The contracts for etoh abuse/dui are usually 2 years but could be as long as 5 (that's what they are for drug abuse) you would be expected to go for random urine etoh/etg screens, go to a weekly peer meeting and attend AA...first you would be sent for an evaluation by an addictionologist who may recommend treatment such as IOP treatment for you, then you would start the contract...I have a very good friend with a "simple DUI" which happened before he went to school. He finished nursing school with great grades but the BON would not let him become licensed in the State of Florida without entering into the IPN...had he entered into it while in nursing school he would be finished at the time of graduation and could have started working unrestricted sooner......anyway, it would be impossible to work in the state of Fl with this on your record without entering into the IPN either during nursing school or after you graduate...