DUI

I would def get a lawyer. It will make the process a lot quicker and smoother for you. I know, because I got one last June (2012) and completed nursing school, and was able to quickly get all of the ARD program complete. I am currently a year and two months later getting it fully expunged, praise Jesus. However, before you take your licensing exam, you will need to let the state know. Because you will need to get an evaluation done by their agency, and they can tell you then if you are allowed to take the exam or not. If you happen to take the exam without letting them know, they will see that as being dishonest, and can take away your license after you take your test. So, play it safe, get a lawyer, as expensive as it may be. And call the state and let them know, just to cover yourself. Hope this helps!

Hi,

I was in a similar situation back in Feb. I just graduated nursing school and was scheduled to take the NCLEX, went out and got behind the wheel thinking I was sober enough to drive since I only had 2 drinks 3 hours earlier and been urinating and hydrating with water. I wasnt even buzzing but got pulled over and blew a 0.11. I notified the CA BON immediately and they denied my application for license until the entire process is complete. Not taking no for an answer, I applied for my Washington State RN license, disclose my DUI along with a letter of explanation and a letter from an addiction specialist stating I do not have an alcohol problem with no signs of hepatic toxicity and that this DUI was a one time misjudgement. The WA BON allowed me to sit for the NCLEX and have granted me an unrestricted RN license in WA. After reading all of the messages about people in similar situation, I decided to get a lawyer. Everyone says get a lawyer because it makes the process smoother or to protect your license but I think it really depends on your case. If you feel like it is something you can fight and get it reduced to a wet and wreckless bc there was no reason for the officer to pull you over, then I would def get a layer. For my DUI, I believed officer did not have probable cause for pulling me over, the police report was clearly fabricated with facts that were not true. My lawyer and I requested video from that night but apparently, the Mt. View Police Department does not have dash video (weird I know. They can provide wireless internet connect to everyone in the city but do not have video cameras on police squad cars). If I can do it over, I would not have gotten a lawyer and do what the court ask ($1986 in fines, 3 day sheriffs work program and 3 year suspension). Instead, my lawyer has dragged this process out and it is still yet to be resolved. I would recommend you be honest with yourself and think about your case. Dont call a lawyer and tell them your case bc they are gonna tell you they can fight it and that you have a strong case bc they want you to hire them and take your money. You might be better off just admitting your fault in court and take what they hand down. It will save you time. In the mean time, I suggest going to AA meetings a nurse support group and volunteering. I dont know if they have one for LVNs but they have one for RNs. Make a table and write down your attendance. This would show to the LVN board that you are serious and have taken steps to make payments to your community for your wrong doing. I would highly suggest you see an addiction specialist and get an evaluation. It would look highly favorable to the board if a certified MD has cleared you via letter stating you are not addicted to alcohol or are dependent on it. As for my CA RN license, I will appear in court this friday and will plead guilty. I have given up on trying to fight this. It was a mistake and I have accepted it. I want to complete what the court orders and move on with my life. Had I done this from the beginging without going thru all the legal process, my DUI would have been cleared and taken care of by now. I wish you the best of luck. I understand it is a tough situation but take it one day at a time. Its not the end and you will have the opportunity to nurse. It might not be today or tomorrow, but it will happen!

No matter what your past looks like, your future is spotless

I am concerned about your lack of judgement. A .18 is WAY above the legal limit, DWI not just DUI. And this is not in your past but recently. Do you realize (or care) how easily you could have killed someone? I can't imagine someone who would hire you in the near future. And I think that you need to think about how much your actions could have hurt someone else instead of focusing on your own interests. I am shocked by the cavalier attitude people have on this board to DUI. It is a SERIOUS crime and should be treated and respected as such. This dismissive attitude does not give nursing a good name.

Wow, I'm sorry that you made an error in thinking and ended up driving while intoxicated, but I choose not to admonish you and judge you since you seem deeply sorry for your actions. Hang in there (and make sure you never drink and drive again). I have a family member who got a DUI, and it is terrible, but take it as a wake up call, and follow through with making sure it never happens again. Good luck!

hey red_robster Im from the bay as well. I studied long and hard for my nclex for 3 months and gave it in april. the day after giving my exam I thought I deserved to go have dinner and sum wine with a friend. I got dui that night, my blood alcohol came out to .18 which was ***** cuz I had 2 glasses of wine about 2 hrs before driving with dinner, I wasn't even buzzed when I got behind the wheel. I am a petite person but even so .18 is really high knowing I had wine 2 hrs ago that too with food, so jus like u I decided to fight the case. my lawyer had an expert look at the report and he noticed that it was incorrect and had the report also took 2-3 months to come in, and I know for a fact that It wasn't correct plus I had passed all the sobriety tests. but 4 months later and extending court dates, my court date was today. for my lawyer to bring in her expert i needed to go to trial which meant more money and time and outcome changing were still slim so i chose to stick to the 1900$ 3 yr probation, 3 month dui classes, and 8 days workshop. im really scared on what to do now cuz a month after the dui i had gotten my result on my nclex and i had passed, ****** but they didn't issue me my license until this was dealt with. can you please give me some guidance what should i do from here? will i get my license? please reply asap

Hi Karenkk,

Im sorry to hear about your situation. From what I have learned, the CA BON will not issue you a license until this is all taken care of. I would suggest writing them a letter and acknowledge your responsibility to the DMV and court and that you will apply for a CA RN license when you have completed these. In the mean time, I would gather all the necessary document to send to the CA BON. Documents such as; 1) official court documents 2) police report 3) certification of sheriff work program. I would go as far as attending AA meetings, nurse support group and getting an assessment from a certified addiction specialist who can clear you as not having any problems with alcohol and that this DUI was a one time poor judgement kind of deal. I know that sounds like ALOT to do but you have to demonstrate to the CA BON that you are not addicted to any substance and you are safe to the public. If you have any questions, shoot me an email: supraman408 at gmail.com

hi i was wondering how everything went with your case. i just recently got a dui and want to go to nursing school but dont know what my chances are anymore. i am a graduate student as a biology major but decided i want to go into healthcare so now im pretty lost because i got this dui.