If you are drunk, don't drive!

Nurses General Nursing

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If you are a nurse, and you drive while you are drunk; the Board of Nursing can suspend your nursing license for good!!! This is hard to believe...but it is true!!!!

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

I don't think comparing a pedophile, batterer, murderer, rapist, etc to a DUI is a fair comparison. All but the later is a deliberate act against another human being. A DUI is not.

Actually it is a fair comparison.

You discuss "intent" making the difference. Many pedophiles and rapists do not "intend" on harm for their victims. Many think that they are "helping" those that they victimize or that the victim really "wants it". Batterers justify their actions by the"oh, I had a bad day - they are pushing me to the edge - they deserve it - I am just too stressed out".

Many of the latter excuses have shown up in this thread, in the idea of "what if a nurse has a bad day and drinks", etc.

Many violent offender do not "intend" to kill/molest, but the end result is still a crime.

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

OT>>>>>

Thank you shane, for sharing what I'm sure is one heckuva painful lesson.

I am an RN who once was arrested for DUI. My violation occured over 11 years ago. I was going through a divorce (not an excuse) and my life was an utter mess. I made a horrible choice that night and I thank God everday that I didn't injur or kill a fellow human being. At the time the legal limit here in Idaho was .10. I blew a .05 and .07 on serial intoxilizer tests but was charged because I failed the Feild Sobriety Test. Also affecting my impairment was the fact that I was taking prescription anxiolytic medication. I pled guilty, weaned myself off the medication under the direction of my PCP and vowed to never drink alcohol again. In fact the last time I consumed alcohol was December 20, 1995. Of course, I didn't become a nurse until 8 years later but I have to answer yes to application questions that ask if I have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor, or have ever illegally used substances. To date, it has not caused me any trouble in getting licensure (perhaps because my record is clear in all other aspects and it occured in the past). I guess my point is that people (nurses included) make horrible choices at times. The hope is that we learn from these mistakes and it helps us to grow. I feel that the counseling that I entered following my conviction contributes significantly to the Nurse that I am today. I think it would be an aweful day when a conviction for DUI resulted in an automatic lifetime denial of licensure. If a nurse consistantly makes dangerous decisions at work or in there personal life the argument takes on a new light. Thank god I got to learn that one without injuring or killing someone else.
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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

I truly think jim's got this whole intent thing bassackwards. Sure, you don't "intend" to hurt anyone, you may not have "intended" to get intoxicated/drunk/whatever.

But what you did by getting behind the wheel was "INTEND" to get yourself home - illegally, I might add, by using your motor vehicle while intoxicated. That makes it a crime. And the state Attorney General, as well as the state BON can and should be able to take action against you.

vamedic4

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Hi, I am new to this forum and really have no idea how to start.

I do have a couple questions that maybe a few of you could help me figure out. Everywhere else I look I just hit a wall of no answers or vauge information. Three years ago I was convicted of DWI in Nj, I live in Pa and am now a student talking my prereqs for nursing. One school told me I would need expungement before trying to obtain a license but could attend their school, and just would not be allowed to sit for the boards before expungement, antoher said I would not be able to enter the clinical portion of school until 10yrs has past since my conviction.

I'm not sure what to do, at all, I feel so lost and frustrated. I just want to know am I wasting my time by going to school now and taking all of these classes and working my butt off, just to be shot down in a couple years.

That is just the facts of the situation. The situation for me personally is a little more complicated. I am not a drinker, never was, I was the person that drank, 7-up on new years eve, I hated the way alcohol even tasted. One night at a new job as a restaurant manager, my staff and the owners all wanted to hang out, and I did not want to disappoint anyone and they were all hay have a margarita and so on. I had two or two and half maybe. I was at work and I was scared to say in front of my employees and boss that I thought I should not drive, and like a total fool got in my car, got pulled over, and the rest is history. I cried for days over the shame of it and everyone tried to say "Don't be so hard on your self, it not the end of the world" I was in the military and it is hard for me to make excuses for myself. I was stupid, careless and could have hurt someone. Now I deserve what ever happens to me because of that decision. The only problem is, I have always wanted to be a nurse and go into the medical field. Now I see that, that may not be a possibility for me and I am just not sure what to do. Does anyone know about what someone in my possition can do? Is that it, should I just switch my major now? I have called a coulple lawyers to get answers, but that just say "O, we don't handle that sort of thing or are totally oblivious to the laws pretaining to nursing license. I feel lost in the sea of " The controlled substances, Drug, device and cometic act", "The nurse practice act" and that way the laws are written. Anyone who could answer some of this, please do, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, kris

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Specializes in Cardiac, Acute/Subacute Rehab.

Kris, look on the PA Board of Nursing Web Site. If I were you, I would go directly to (or call) the PA Board of Nursing and get someone to answer your questions. I will say that you should NEVER, EVER, EVER be "scared to say in front of my employees and boss that I thought I should not drive."

I agree that there are situations like yours, Shane. I applaud you (and you, Kris) for owning up to your mistakes and realizing the gravity of the situation.

Having said that, I've chewed on this topic for a few days. I think I'm going to set in concrete that I think everyone deserves the chance to prove themselves through counseling or group meetings...ONE time. Beyond that.......

I've been having this discussion with friend of mine in law enforcement, and we pretty much agree. But the way he words his opinion NAILS how I feel.

A professional license is a huge measure of trust in a person, a public assumption of their integrity and competence. Such a license is not easily gained, and those who honorably serve their profession, feel dirtied by criminal behavior in their ranks. There is a higher standard that is expected when you assume a position that directly affects people's lives, such is the baggage of becoming a "professional".
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Your absolutly right, I was younger and it was a new job, I was trying to fit in and make friends,( which is not something I had ever worried about before), it was so stupid and I should have just spoke up. I know that now, it too late now to take it back, so I have to relize that this may be something I will have to live to forever. I could have hurt someone or even myself. I think this is so hard for me, because I have been so straight laced my whole life and now I feel like I have wiped that all away. I learned in the Navy that there are no excuses for bad behavior and now I have to own up and deal with what the consiquences of my actions.

Kris, look on the PA Board of Nursing Web Site. If I were you, I would go directly to (or call) the PA Board of Nursing and get someone to answer your questions. I will say that you should NEVER, EVER, EVER be "scared to say in front of my employees and boss that I thought I should not drive."

I agree that there are situations like yours, Shane. I applaud you (and you, Kris) for owning up to your mistakes and realizing the gravity of the situation.

Having said that, I've chewed on this topic for a few days. I think I'm going to set in concrete that I think everyone deserves the chance to prove themselves through counseling or group meetings...ONE time. Beyond that.......

I've been having this discussion with friend of mine in law enforcement, and we pretty much agree. But the way he words his opinion NAILS how I feel.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.

Where's Jim?

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, CVICU, Trauma.

The reason I asked where Jim was is this - the minute I asked him to give us his idea of a solution of how we could make "gray" areas clearer, he booked and never came back. I appreciate strong opinions, but believe that you should have some idea of solutions, not just complain over & over again.

For those of you who think that one DUI deserves a second chance - that one time could be the one that kills someone, or kills you.

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Specializes in Peds.

Hi,

Where's Jim?
Probably took the same route some of us on this thread did - didn't feel welcome to the discussion anymore and hence decided to not participate further.

Thanks,

Matthew (who agrees with most of what Jim has posted but doesn't claim to speak for Jim).

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Friends, it appears this discussion has outlived its usefulness.

I am closing it for moderator and administrator review.

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