Embarassing but true, please advise

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In 2007, I made the major mistake of drinking and driving. I have a misdemeanor on my record.

I am intending to apply for post bac BSN programs on the east coast. I live in the Midwest. Since my incident, aside from total compliance with court mandated programs and NEVER DRINKING since, I do have a good deal of volunteer work under my belt (not court mandated). I have a bacclaurate GPA of 3.6 and prereq GPA of 4.0. Drinking and driving was undoubtably the worst decision in my life. :(

My question is:

How do I approach this horrible mistake in the application process? Is there a portion on the applications that specify divulgence of misdemeanors? Should I include an essay on my mistake?

How could this potientially affect my acceptance into these programs?

I am posting this because the other threads addressing similar mistakes were made in the much farther past than mine. I am in my late 20's.

Thankyouthankyouthankyou for any advice.

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Contact the nursing board of the state you will be licensed in and talk to them about the guidelines they use when determining whether or not to license an RN with a history of a DUI. Then approach the school with this info and let them know that you have followed what the state board recommended.

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Contact the Board regarding this.

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Very tough girl..... shows how some things can haunt us a long time. I have a minor misdeamenor on my record from when I was young and had to share it on applications but it was nothing as serious as yours.

In all honesty, you probably won't get a job. Not with the indepth background checks they do. I couldn't believe how intense mine was am I am just a tech right now - but maybe that is because I am in a larger city?

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Hi,

Why was your dui classified as a misdemeanor? I'm in nj, and I have a dwi. I will be going for nursing also. This hasn't affected me during my application for a cna and pharmacy technician. Maybe your state is different, but I don't think a dui will hurt you. Check with your state.

I don't think it even comes up on the background check, but my dwi is not a misdemeanor. Call the background check agency that will be used at school and check with them. That's what I did and they said I would be okay.

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Studentnurse,

My offense is a misdemeanor, technically it is something like, OWI. That is some valuable advice. I hope to have your luck.

Also, I have called the New York Licensing Board of Professional and asked how an application my be affected by this offense and was told that it isn't a major concern. The state draws the line at felonies and child abuse. I imagine that employers will not share the same flippant attitude towards my offense, but I will have to dealt with that later.

I can't get ahold of any person in Pennsylvania. The line hangs up on me after telling me that my call is important. The office isn't even in Philadelphia! I sent an e-mail and will post their reply (should it ever come).

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>> I imagine that employers will not share the same flippant attitude towards my offense

Unfortunately they won't, hopefully your area is more in need of nurses. Ours is not, there is too many applicants for one position!

I hope this works out for you, my neice got a DUI, and is a similar situation as yours. I am praying when she gets done with school she will have a job.

GOOD LUCK!! Let us know what you find, and how it works out. I am really curious - thanks for sharing!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.

If it is a misdemeanor it may not even come up. I know a lot of places are only looking at felonies. ut everywhere is different. Good luck!

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Studentnurse,

My offense is a misdemeanor, technically it is something like, OWI. That is some valuable advice. I hope to have your luck.

Also, I have called the New York Licensing Board of Professional and asked how an application my be affected by this offense and was told that it isn't a major concern. The state draws the line at felonies and child abuse. I imagine that employers will not share the same flippant attitude towards my offense, but I will have to dealt with that later.

I can't get ahold of any person in Pennsylvania. The line hangs up on me after telling me that my call is important. The office isn't even in Philadelphia! I sent an e-mail and will post their reply (should it ever come).

I don't think all employers will turn you away. Just be honest and take one step at a time. Without belaboring the issue, let them know you realize you screwed up and have not made the same mistake twice. You have learned a hard lesson and admitted your responsibility. If I were looking to hire, I would grab you. Most people have a hard time saying "It was my fault". You sound mature and wise. God bless you and I pray that He will open the right doors for you. I also pray that PA will answer your call soon!

Don't you love being told how important you are and then they "give you the business", as Wally Cleaver used to tell Eddie Haskell to stop doing to the Beaver.

Hey, good luck and let us know.

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As long as you don't lie about it, most misdemeanor first time offenses in most states won't keep you from getting a license or preclude you from getting a job. Definitely keep trying to contact the Board in your state, just to make sure, and tell the truth on job applications and in interviews. It may hurt you, depending on how the job/NS application market is where you live, but having a DUI once doesn't keep you from becoming an RN in the states that I've lived in. What will get you kicked out of school and/or fired from a job would be them turning your DUI up in a background check if you didn't disclose it on the application. Find out what the laws are in your state, be up front with everyone, and if you get an interview tell them what you learned from the experience and why you are no longer drinking. Good luck!!

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>> I imagine that employers will not share the same flippant attitude towards my offense

Unfortunately they won't, hopefully your area is more in need of nurses. Ours is not, there is too many applicants for one position!

I hope this works out for you, my neice got a DUI, and is a similar situation as yours. I am praying when she gets done with school she will have a job.

GOOD LUCK!! Let us know what you find, and how it works out. I am really curious - thanks for sharing!

Not that DUI isn't serious, but there are so many things that are so much worse. It's not right to punish someone for a lifetime for a one time DUI without injury or property damage. Additionally, licensed people who, for instance, steal drugs and thereby deny their patients good pain relief don't get kicked out forever. It's true that this is not a good time to have a bad record, there being so many new grads who can't find work and veterans who can't transfer but I think OP will be alright if she's honest and seems genuinely repentant.

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>>Not that DUI isn't serious, but there are so many things that are so much worse. It's not right to punish someone for a lifetime for a one time DUI without injury or property damage.

Doesn't matter if I agree with it or not, it just is what it is. In the area I live in it is very competetive getting a job right now (Omaha, NE) and if they have the ability to choose someone without a "record" they are going to. I was shocked when I got questioned on a traffic violation that happened FIFTEEN years ago. No kidding! It was a very minor incident but it was on my record.

It is real life out there... and they have their pick at the best.

PS

I feel driving under the influence is a serious offense.

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