new ASN grad with DUI

U.S.A. Pennsylvania

Published

HELP! I recently graduated nursing school and got a DUI in Philadelphia a month later. I have not yet been convicted and am awaiting trial and have the 5th best DUI attorney in the US. I have not yet taken my boards and am waiting for my ATT. Will I be able to take my boards since my paper work is already being processed? If so will my nursing license get suspended after I take the exam? Please help it seems like no one can answer my questions. I feel as if all my dreams have been crushed and my future plan are no longer attainable. Please help!

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Pedi/Tele.

I would contact the state board and ask that question. First offense? They will probably not do anything harsh. But I can't say for sure.

I hope you did learn that it was a dumb thing to do!?

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I'm sorry, but we're not allowed to give out legal advice on these boards. Since you have a good attny, it's best to ask him/her what to do..

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yes it is my first offense and i have no previous record

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Well I recieved a DUI in January, charged in April...& Graduated Nursing school June 9th. The paper work I have read says you need to inform them of any charge even if it happens after you apply. They denied my application, I appealed it, and they sent it to the DA's office to let them have the final say. The BRN did let me take my NCLEX, but also let me know that they may not give me my results...and make me re-apply for RN in a year :( Im just waiting right now, thinking they may give me my license on a revoked status. No idea what the DA's office would add as punishment though...I think the BRN needs to see that enough time has passed to show proper rehabilitation, and that you wont do it again...

Hope that helped, Im still surching for answers myself :/

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

questions we seem to be encountering more and more often have to do with the effects of a criminal history on nursing licensure:

  • is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a criminal history and if so, can i get a job?
  • is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a mip, dui, or other related charges?
  • what happens if you are charged or convicted of a crime after licensure?
  • can i go to nursing school and/or be licensed/be employed if my record has been sealed or expunged?
  • what if i have a “deferred adjudication”? will i have to declare this as a conviction?
  • will i be able to go to nursing school and/or attend clinicals with a criminal record?
  • what can happen if i receive a mip/dui/dwi or other charge while still in school?

these are questions that the members of allnurses.com cannot answer. the only reliable source of information is your state board of nursing.

if you are currently licensed as a nurse and have been charged with or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor including dui/dwi or any criminal offense, you need to contact the bon in every state you hold a license/wish to be licensed and ask their reporting requirements.

if you are a nursing student or are interested in becoming a nurse you need to contact your bon and/or your school of nursing directly. you need to be completely candid with them as to the nature and disposition of the crimes. each board of nursing makes a determination on a case by case basis and some are willing to issue a declarative statement in advance.

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