Can DUI keep you out of Nursing?

Karen K · Aug 23, 2001

Well the committee met and decided that they want me to get more info. They want me to get proof in writing that it was just alcohol and not controlled substances. Well I went to the probation officer and ask her to write me a letter. She wrote me a letter but it wasn 't what they need. She wrote that I never came up positive on a drug test during my probation (THEY NEVER EVEN DRUG TESTED ME!) She listed the offence as being DUI of alcohol / controlled substance and told me that is how they have to write it! Apparently she doesnt care if I get into nursing school or not. So I went to the Clerk of Quarter Sessions and got a copy of the acutal police report. It listed my breath alcohol results and it also had a brief description written by the cop as to what happened. Well he wrote that it was dui of alcohol. I was so happy I thought I found the proof they wanted. So I took it over to school and the dept head said it wasn't good enough! It doesn't get much clearer than that! If there were drugs involved it would be on the report I told her. She asked if I had a lawyer, which I did, she wants him to write a letter saying that it was only alcohol and not drugs now. So I talked to the lawyer he said he would write the letter and they committee will get together again next Wednesday to decide my fate once again.

I think they are just making me jump through hoops for them at this point.

By the way, yes I did learn from my mistake, no I will never drink and drive again. If I have so much as a glass of wine with dinner I wont drive for the rest of the day.

Well all I can do is wait now. If they shut me out it will probably be too late to get into any other program at that point, so I will be royally screwed. I did get in contact with the Pennsylvania Boards and I was told that a DUI of alcohol is not something they usually bar you from taking the boards for. But controlled substance would be, why they don't differentiate the two on criminal background sheets I don't know! But it is all done on an individual basis and each case is different.

Again, thanks for all your support!

BrandyBSN · Aug 23, 2001

Karen,

Your situtation is one that I have thought about every since I posted the first time. Although it is extremely hard for me to keep my personal feelings out of it (Sara), I must say that I applaud you for your deligence. Because you learned from it, and have a new percpective, I really do hope that everything comes out in your favor. If you are willing to "jump through the hoops", you must really feel that you should be a nurse. Maybe your personal experience (if you ever choose to share) can help your patients, in knowing that you can make a big mistake, learn from it, and better yourself.

Lou, I am so proud of you! Big obstacle to overcome, and from what i have read in the past, you are doing wonderfully. Quite a role model you are!

Thanks,

BrandyBSN

Karen K · Aug 23, 2001

Well the committee met and decided that they want me to get more info. They want me to get proof in writing that it was just alcohol and not controlled substances. Well I went to the probation officer and ask her to write me a letter. She wrote me a letter but it wasn 't what they need. She wrote that I never came up positive on a drug test during my probation (THEY NEVER EVEN DRUG TESTED ME!) She listed the offence as being DUI of alcohol / controlled substance and told me that is how they have to write it! Apparently she doesnt care if I get into nursing school or not. So I went to the Clerk of Quarter Sessions and got a copy of the acutal police report. It listed my breath alcohol results and it also had a brief description written by the cop as to what happened. Well he wrote that it was dui of alcohol. I was so happy I thought I found the proof they wanted. So I took it over to school and the dept head said it wasn't good enough! It doesn't get much clearer than that! If there were drugs involved it would be on the report I told her. She asked if I had a lawyer, which I did, she wants him to write a letter saying that it was only alcohol and not drugs now. So I talked to the lawyer he said he would write the letter and they committee will get together again next Wednesday to decide my fate once again.

I think they are just making me jump through hoops for them at this point.

By the way, yes I did learn from my mistake, no I will never drink and drive again. If I have so much as a glass of wine with dinner I wont drive for the rest of the day.

Well all I can do is wait now. If they shut me out it will probably be too late to get into any other program at that point, so I will be royally screwed. I did get in contact with the Pennsylvania Boards and I was told that a DUI of alcohol is not something they usually bar you from taking the boards for. But controlled substance would be, why they don't differentiate the two on criminal background sheets I don't know! But it is all done on an individual basis and each case is different.

Again, thanks for all your support!

crnasomeday · Aug 23, 2001

My prayers for you at this time, Karen, are for strengthening and comforting of your spirit. Be blessed dear one, and may the Lord God see you through....

Oh, thanks Brandy.... I'm blushin here....

Be blessed!

freeire1916 · Jul 30, 2009

Hey Karen, Im just starting out with the schooling to become a nurse and I have had a similar situation as you. The main thing you should do is become familiar with the law. Every situation falls into a different category and level of misdemeanor. The application for the nursing school you applied should have said what kinds of offenses that would prohibit you from attending the program. You either fall into those offenses or you dont. I dont want to pry into your personal situation but Did you go through an ARD program, was this your first offense, Did you do any mandatory jail time (other then the sleeping it off part), Did you pay all fines and take all required classes...If its not your first offense you can stop reading this

From my personal exp. My BAC was very high and my first offense. I completed the ARD program and my record has been expunged. 3 years later the only people who know is Penndot and Buck Co. DA office. I applied and recieved my license to carry a concealed fire arm by the DEL co Sherrifs dept....which is not easy to get with a criminal record. So expungement works big time!

If you have not attempted to expunge your record. You absolutely sould do this ASAP. Either call the District attorneys office in the county that the offense occured and tell your story see if they can help or at least direct you or have your lawyer do it. You seem like a hard worker so I would advise you call yourself and save the lawyer money. This is something you can do without them....trust me. Besides even if you get the rights to be an nurse....it doesnt mean someone will hire you with a DUI on your record simply because of companies insurance regulations. I have been a service manager for 12 years and I am not allowed to hire anyone with a DUI or drug offense Period. Kinda hypocritical I know, lol

Good Luck Karen, hopefully I will run into you in 3 yrs and we will both be nurses

p.s typed on Black berry sorry for typos

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jul 30, 2009

This is a very old thread, moving to sub forum dealing with people with criminal history

What you have to remember each BON will deal with this in their own way and on an individual bases and they are they only ones that can make a decision based on the information supplied