Need help/advice

[Student57]

I am a SRNA is the state of Georgia and I need some advice for a legal issue. I made a mistake and was recently charged with a DUI. I have had no prior convictions or legal issues/arrests of any kind. I have not gone to court yet but I have already disclosed the arrest to the Ga BON. They have left it an "open case" until the final court disposition. I am very afraid of what this means for my licensure in the state of GA as well as my ability to take anesthesia boards. Can anyone out there offer me any advice? I have been working very hard at building my life/career and I don't want to see it ruined by a stupid mistake. Please help.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

from ga

http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/rn/faqs_legal.pdf

ii. crimes involving moral turpitude

the nurse's legal handbook fourth edition, 2000 defines moral turpitude as "

the act of baseness, vileness or the depravity in private and social duties which

man owes to his fellow man, or to society in general.... " this legal term has been

used to describe crimes that significantly violate an accepted moral standard.

the applicant may not be able to determine if the conviction fits this definition.

any arrest or conviction should be acknowledged on the application

or license renewal form without regard to the nature of the crime.

iii. dui or dwi: driving under the influence/ driving while

intoxicated or impaired.

any offense that impacts the fitness for nursing practice is of concern to the

board. an arrest on the charge of driving under the influence or driving while

intoxicated indicates that the applicant or licensee may have a substance abuse

problem and, as a result, may be unable to practice nursing with reasonable skill

and safety. a dui offense is of great concern if it occurs during the time the

applicant is enrolled as a nursing student or within twelve months prior to

enrollment.

the state of georgia has strict mandatory sentencing guidelines for dui

convictions under o.c.g.a. 40-5-63. if an applicant for licensure by

examination is on probation imposed by a court, the board has the discretion to

require sanctions based on the dui conviction and probation when granting a

license. if the court requires an alcohol or drug evaluation, the board may

request such evaluation results be sent to the board and may also require proof of

successful completion of criminal probation.

repeat dui offenses may cause the board to suspect impairment or addiction. in

such cases, the board has the discretion to request the applicant or licensee to

undergo a mental/physical evaluation to determine if the applicant has a

substance disorder. the board considers treatment recommendations made by

the physician evaluator. if treatment is needed for the nurse to practice safely,

the board may offer the nurse a consent agreement that provides for licensure

with a restricted license and probation for a fixed period of time.

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