nurses with dui convictions

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  1. should nurses be punished professionally for multiple duis?

    • 3
      yes; after 3, no license!
    • 2
      yes; after 2, suspended license
    • 5
      yes; after 2, rehab and limited license
    • 4
      no; let the criminal courts handle it
    • 4
      no; who cares? As long as she wasn't caring for patients, her business!

12 members have participated

I know, it happens; but what IS the bottom line for becoming, renewal of licensure, etc., for an RN with one or more dui convictions? My friend (honest, not me!) has 2 duis in ohio and is an RN; will this "not come up" at renewal, as she says, can she "hide it" as some tell me, or is there automatic background check (I am paramedic-soon to be RN via bridge program, we have automatic background checks) ? Or, does she face "double jeopardy"-lie about it on form, then get caught in background check, adding perjury to her problems??????

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.

It will come up and she will not only get in trouble for the DUI but also for the "hiding"/ lying about it and the BON may be very strict on her/him because of it.

As far as the DUI, Im sorry but NO ONE has the right to drink and drive. Call it a mistake, bad judgement etc, my thoughts are still the same. Driving while under the influence should be punished the first time, nurses are not excluded.

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Specializes in LTC, Management, MDS Nurse, Rehab.

When you renew you license it asks if you have been arrested of convicted of anything. If your friend lies it will be found. They do check. The consequences will be worse then if you self disclose. There are programs for people who have DWIs and they may be inconvinent, but they will help you keep your license.

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I am not 100% how it works in Ohio, but in Florida you are REQUIRED to tell the BON about any type of convictions. So basically if I was arrested for a DUI and then convicted of it, I MUST report it to the BON. It would be up to the BON to either tell me I need to follow up with our states IPN program or what I would need to do.

Hiding it or lying about it, is only going to get this nurse in more hot water down the road. I get people make mistakes, but if the tables were turned would this nurse want someone taking care of them that seems to have no issue drinking and driving (you stated they have 2 DUI's). Personally I wouldn't. and I know I would never put my self or a patient in that boat.

SP

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I worked with a nurse who has had 3 duis and never was caught. This has been over 10 years. Not sure how some people get away with it for so long. Guess it never got in the way of her job that no one suspects. That is here in Florida.

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