DUI's & Licensure

itsme · Jul 12, 2003

sbn8tv, I think you are missing the point. People are concerned and think you should seek help for drinking. They arent trying to be mean. We just dont want to see you in an avoidable accident that ends up hurting you or someone else. In WI with a DUI, they are required to have an alcohol assessment and go to classes, etc. The fine for a 1st time offender is like around 6 or 7 hundred dollars. Maybe you dont have a drinking problem, but there does seem to be a problem with driving once yo have been drinking. Isnt there someone who can be a designated driver? Truly, you dont want to get in an accidnet while drunk, or legally intoxicated, that would be something to definatly screw up your whole life, not to mention someone elses life too! I graduated from high school with someone who wiped out an entire young family on xmas eve while he was legally intoxicated, he is still in prison. It isnt worth it to drive if you have been drinking, the roads are dangerous enough when you are sober!!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2003

Originally posted by sbn8tv
However I am not any kind of DUI machine that just jumps in a car after a hard night of Tequila Shots and Wild Turkey. I have scruples. I know I screwed up. All I was doing here is asking for some information. It's an epidemic for christs sake. Don't feed off me just because I chose to post here. I guarantee that if you go to dinner and drink three glasses of wine you could get a DUI but does that make you a bad person? I don't think so.

I ain't tryin to make excuses. I'm just tired of hearing all you silly ninny's trying to make me feel bad for getting a DUI. I paid my dues and I will again. You should pay attention to yourselves and your families. Keep them safe. I don't really care what you say about me because I know the truth. I just had to come back and reply because I love a good intellectual debate.

so lets hear the end of it.

SBN8TV

You asked for information and you got it. I regret that you don't like the information that you got, but you indeed did ask for it.

The reason that it is an epidemic is because of people that refuse to seek the cure, but are looking for the easy way out. And there is no easy way out.

If I have 3 glasses of wine with dinner, I am going to get a DUI? If you read the posts, you would know that if I drink, I don't drive. PERIOD.

AND IF YOU DON"T DRIVE AFTER DRINKING, YOU CAN BE PRETTY DARN SURE THAT YOU WILL NOT GET A DUI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, what law says that you have to drink 3 glasses of wine with dinner. Where is that rule??? Or that you have to drive?

If you truly were a man with scruples, as you have stated, and you have a burning desire to be a nurse, you would realize that the goal requires a sacrifice. And those scruples and that goal require that you not drink and drive. I personally would love to smoke marijuana occasionally - I can argue that it hurts no one. But as a nurse, I get drug tested on a regular basis and that requires me as a responsible nurse to never touch illegal drugs. And that is part of the price that I pay to be a good nurse.

You tell us to keep are families safe and look after ourselves - well I guess that means keeping people like you off the roads, since you have no ability to control yourself with all your scruples.

And if you feel that we are ninnies, I just wonder where you are going to work that doesn't have ninnies just like us............

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2003

"If you people are hurting for a target why don't you go to your nearest bar and watch how many asswipes get in the car and drive home. It's an epidemic for christs sake."

Typical alcholic behavior diverting attention to others. I suppose you're an asswipe too, since you did exactly that.

" I'm just tired of hearing all you silly ninny's trying to make me feel bad for getting a DUI............... love a good intellectual debate. "

Calling us silly ninny's is no intelllectual debate my friend.

If you think we are bad, wait until you have to answer to the state board of nursing for getting the one DUI that you have. I have a coworker who is going through quite a bit for getting a DUI in his past when he tried to become a LPN. The silly ninnys of the board of nursing don't play.

We all make mistakes. Some horrible, terrible excuriating mistakes that can't be redone. I commend you for not trying to live in the past. Sooner or later we have to forgive ourselves and move on. But you've been minimizing it, and that's what is angering some of us.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2003

sorry for the double post.

geekgolightly, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2003

I spoke with a clinical instructor the other day about situations like this. She said that a former student of hers, a male, had a history of DUI's...two from when he was in his early twenties and the board approved him for the NCLEX. he received a DUI a month after he graduated and reported this to the board and since then, and this has been three years, the board each year has told him, "seek counseling from an approved counselor," and he has, and each year they turn him down adn say, "better do some more counseling."

The instructor informed me that the board never has to say no. They can string him along like that until he gives up.

What I am saying is, you could spend the next few years struggling through nursing school and be "clean" that entire time, but I don't think it would matter at this point. They won't ever let him practice nursing because of a proven record of repeated negative behaviors.

I have heard a few times from you now that three DUI's in ten years are not bad odds. I wonder what then, bad odds are for you. I would assume that bad odds would be one time. In a lifetime. But this would mean that someone never makes the decision to drink and drive and therefore can not be caught drinking and driving. I think that those odds don;t seem bad to you ebcause the rate at which you get behind a car drunk and drive is exponentially higher than that of which any of us would consider to be normal. normal means none. Do you understand this? It might be that none seems unreasonable to you, and that would be more indicitive of your mindframe than that of ours.

I am a teetotaler. yes, I am. As are many people in this profession. Maybe you should consider another profession if this mindframe is so alien to you. The more I read your responses, the more I glean that you are far too defensive to ever see clearly what your situation looks like to the rest of the world (that being the non-getting-in-a-car-while-drunk world).

When I was younger I did get in a car and drive while drunk, and i feel horrible about it now, ten or so years later, and am thankful that I never hurt anyone. I can;t imagine now, in my thirties, ever behaving so recklessly. I was a completely different person back then. I am ashamed of who I was. I am greatful I had the sense to sober up.

In ten years, you might see this too, if you remain abstinent. I hope this happens.

Good luck to you.

jacolaur · Jul 12, 2003

SBN8tv...I really have tried to find something in your posts that shows me that you are truly trying to face this dilemma of yours. I think you are probably a very likable and, obviously, intelligent guy. No one here is trying to throw darts and strike you down from a dream of a future in nursing. You asked for advice, when the advice was supportive and easy you were excited making lists and taking action. However; when the advice became tougher, which takes more time and commitment on your part, you become upset, defensive, and developed an everybodies picking on me attitude. This makes it even more obvious to me that you have more work to do before you jump into nursing school. YOU got yourself into this big mess, You should have the strenghth to suck it up and get yourself mentally healthy and strong again the right way, not the most convenient way. It takes more than a file of a few phone calls, letters, and pee tests to get over your problem. Reach down deep inside yourself to answer the question why do I have 3 DUI's? Stop making excuses and throwing the blame everywhere else but on yourself. Get into a self help program, stay clean and sober, go to therapy (many times) and prove to yourself (which will prove to all around you)that you are emotionaly ready. Wait list yourself, when you have all the documentation that this DUI, and any chance of another, is far far behind you (with no chance of it ever happening again) then go to the school and board of nursing for their support and blessings to engage in this dream. Playing lip service and nicey nice is not enough. This career is so demanding and emotionally draining that for your own sake, as well as the lives of those you are responsible for, be healthy and stable or your setting yourself up for disaster. Sorry if your angry but, you asked for this boards advice and this is what I feel.

jacolaur · Jul 12, 2003

Originally posted by sbn8tv
This is getting way too wierd for me. I won't be posting anymore but I just have a couple questions for all you who asume that I am some kind of monster because I got a 3rd DUI in ten years. Do any of you smoke? Do you know the statistics on that? Do you come down this hard on people who do?

Peace

This also tells me your not ready, what the hell does smoking and driving intoxicated have in common? If you think everyone is getting weird on you, I think it's weirder that you would make a compared example like that....you are still minimalizing you DUI's. In answer to your original post, "don't waste your money" until you can be fully accountable for your actions and realize you could have wasted a few lives with your little mistake . This is not some little blip in your day, what you did 3 times is a major mistake that may well be destroying your life in any future you wish to partake in. Shape up be accountable and do the right thing jeeesh ...it not our fault

RNNMD · Jul 12, 2003

SBN, PLEASE TAKE IT FROM EXPERIENCE. PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL DO NOT GET DUI'S. IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE. BELIEVE ME, IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE ONCE YOU GET FURTHER INTO YOUR CAREER! I'M NOT PREACHING, I'M JUST TRYING TO TEACH FROM MY PAST. I WON'T GO INTO IT HERE. JUST, PLEASE TAKE IT FROM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS.!!!!

jemb · Jul 12, 2003

I think you should not "waste your money", as you put it.

Nurses must be accountable for their actions.

Nurses need to be able to consider the consequences of their actions.

Nurses must be able to separate signs and symptoms from an underlying cause.

Nurses must learn to prioritize.

Nurse need to practice self control.

From your posts- your defensiveness, your emphasis on the DUI vs. the danger of drinking and driving, your attempts to change the subject when it got uncomfortable for you - indicate that you would not make it through a nursing program anyway.

You can't be a nurse if you refuse to be responsible.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 12, 2003

I too wasn't going to post on this (very long) thread. Howeve, as an ER RN who also knows the heartache of taking care of the victims of ETOH, please rethink your career choice. Take care.

MrDefib · Jul 12, 2003

I just signed up for this board today and was scanning the posts when I came across this questions about the 3 DUI's. I don't know if you have spoken to the SBN but I think you may not be able to take boards.

I say this because one of my good friends and former co-workers went to school and completed successfully. When it came time to take boards, a single MIP (minor in possession) came up and he had to testify before the state board why he thought he should be allowed to take boards. Needless to say, they raked him over the coals and left him hanging for a long time before they allowed him to take boards.

With 3 DUI's, they (the BON) may reject you before you even start school. The school may reject you as well. My daughter is currently entering her senior year in a BSN program. All of the hospitals are doing background checks and drug screens on not only students, but employees. Nondisclosure = getting kicked out of school.

Just my two cents worth.

:eek:

sbn8tv · Jul 12, 2003

I know you're all right and I asked for it and yeah the smoking analogy was a reach but damn, give a brother some love for at least admitting wrongdoing and stuff. I know I have a problem and I'm working on it OK. That's all I can do. You've all given me good advice and I thank you. Really I do. I am not just giving you lip service but how would you know this because this is my first post and you don't really know me. I know you're all skeptical and have seen people dead because of people who drink and drive but I never have and maybe that's why I am so arrogant about it. Listen folks I am not disagreeing with you that I have a problem with judgement when I drink. That is a bad thing and I know it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention so effectively. Like I said before I've never felt so cared about. It's like I have all these people saying ... yer bad.. yer bad ...yer bad when I KNOW I'm frickin bad I am going to go to counseling and stuff and yeah maybe that is to satisfy the BRN but don't you think it will also do me some good as well. Maybe I might just learn something? Maybe I am a good guy with a good heart who wants this all to go away and just wants friends who can help with information and stuff. That's OK isn't it? Please stop beating up on me because I can't stop reading these posts and it's making me really obsessive. I get the hint. I won't drink and drive and I will pass it along and I'm thinking about just shining the whole nursing thing because it sounds like it might just be way too ugly with the death stuff and all that. I hate looking at dead people like at funerals and stuff. I probably would get the willys cartin' some carcass off to the morgue not to mention all the blood and poop and phlegm and stuff. Anyways I love you all even if you think I'm an ass. If I decide to stick with the nursing thing I will be here asking more stupid questions and trying to relieve stress by venting but isn't that what these boards are all about?

Now I'm more confused than ever. Life goes on...