Legal Rights as a RN with DUI conviction

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2005

Honestly do you really believe taking a nurse out of the work force for this is the right approach.

Yes, I do. Because unfortunately, I can't give any statistics, but I would venture an edcucated hypothesis that the majority of people who get multiple DUIs have a dreaking problem, or are full fledged alcholholics, and this can spill out over to the job.

At the very least you need to be evaluated for alcholism, and certainly removed to from the road. But I don't know your legal rights.

Please don't think I'm being judgemental. I know human beings make human mistakes. I know it's rough for you right now, and will probably get rougher. But since you didn't learn the lesson the first time, maybe it's going to have to hurt a little. Don't try to get us to minimize it for you by saying things like "I believe in forgiveness...medical people are supposed to understand". I ain't going there for you. You committed a serious crime. Face the music.

However, you're not the only one who feels like you do. Here in Florida if you have no work related issues related to your DUI(s), they don't take away your license, but refer you to the impaired nurses program, where you have to be evaluated.

I wish you nothing but health, peace of mind and sobriety. Hopefully, hard lessons learned and the roads are a tad bit safer now. Good luck to you.

ERRN2005 · Jul 7, 2005

Yes, I do. Because unfortunately, I can't give any statistics, but I would venture an edcucated hypothesis that the majority of people who get multiple DUIs have a dreaking problem, or are full fledged alcholholics, and this can spill out over to the job.
At the very least you need to be evaluated for alcholism, and certainly removed to from the road. But I don't know your legal rights.
Please don't think I'm being judgemental. I know human beings make human mistakes. I know it's rough for you right now, and will probably get rougher. But since you didn't learn the lesson the first time, maybe it's going to have to hurt a little. Don't try to get us to minimize it for you by saying things like "I believe in forgiveness...medical people are supposed to understand". I ain't going there for you. You committed a serious crime. Face the music.
However, you're not the only one who feels like you do. Here in Florida if you have no work related issues related to your DUI(s), they don't take away your license, but refer you to the impaired nurses program, where you have to be evaluated.
I wish you nothing but health, peace of mind and sobriety. Hopefully, hard lessons learned and the roads are a tad bit safer now. Good luck to you.

I'm sorry you feel this way, but as I said in the work place I do provide the best care I can to my patients and that is why I became a nurse because I care about helping others. Again I know I have made bad decisions and I have tried to learn from them in the past and move on, I have never hurt anyone on the road and you have no idea the pointless comment about removing me from the road. I think your in a small world of delusion that the people around you don't consume in drinking in your community. Now whether it is right for them to drive I agree it is not and I know I was wrong for this and thank God that I never hurt anyone, but don't dissolution yourself to think that many fine and respected people you know also do this just haven't had bad luck and got pulled over. A police officer told me one night at work that if he pulled over 10 cars at night 9 he could give DUI's to, does this make my situation right? no I know, but again how does this affect me on the job. Do I come to work impaired, no, Do I do drugs NO Do i come to my work as scheduled and give good patient care, yes, and am I compitent and have several qualifications that takes me beyond the standard RN liscense yes. I have many extra certifications and I take pride in my work, so judge as you would like, people like you who carelessly critisize I have little respect, you are the kind of nurse Iwouldn't want caring for me or my family, because you can't seem to look beyond your own beliefs. Again I just asked for input if anyone else has had this happen to them and what to expect, especially as I have to go infront of the board, I'm very nervous, my career has been my life, being a nurse is who I am in many ways and the thought of not caring for patients and helping others scares me. Suspension of a liscense is not a guarentee that you get it back in 3 months, it is you can reapply for reinstatement, but if I've done treatment already I'm not sure what they want from me, that is all I was asking for in this site is advise on what to expect, my rights and others who may have experienced this.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jul 7, 2005

The OP's question was answered early on. The BON can do whatever it wants to ensure in its own mind that people who may have substance issues don't cause harm to patients. You _must_ consult an attorney as this is far past any assistance that we can offer.