2 DUIs

[all4u313]

I just need advise. I have been a medical assistant in PA for about 9 years now. I have 2 DUIs in 2014 and 2016. I had ARD for the first one and have done all the court ordered therapy, community service and am now off of probation for the second DUI. I have some minor pre-reqs completed and I am finally thinking about going back to school for nursing but I really don't want to waste my time getting a degree that I cant use. I have mostly been reading about people who have had one DUI and am feeling discouraged as I have no idea what else I would want to go to school for. If anyone has any advise, experience or comments I would really appreciate it.

[CoffeeYogaNurse]

Sorry to hear about your DUI's, I'm sure you're anxious about committing to a nursing program and paying money and not being able to get your license because of those mistakes. The only advice I can give is to call your BON and ask the rules on applying for a license after 2 DUI's.

I have a friend who graduated nursing school in 2011, she had 2 DUIs as well, one in 2000 (ish) and one again in 2009. It took her about a year and a half after graduation to be able to take her boards. She had to jump through some hoops to get her background check cleared. Stuff like showing she had received treatment for alcohol, get letters of character from bosses and coworkers, and write an essay. She did pass boards on her first try and got a job right after so she had about an extra 20 month delay between graduating and working as a nurse.

If you've always wanted to do nursing, just do it. You'll always have 2 DUIs, learn from it, make peace with it, and move along. Don't let those mistakes hold you back!