Nursing school admission with DUI less than 5 years ago

[NeverGiveUp83]

In Feb 2012, I was convicted of misdemeanor OWI in another state. I moved back to NY and am currently taking prerequisites with hopes of getting into a nursing program next Fall (2015). One of the schools I am researching said on their website they will not consider accepting anyone with a misdemeanor in the past 5 years. I haven't contacted them yet to ask if they consider situations individually.

Does anyone know if this is the case with all nursing schools in NY....will no nursing school accept you if you've had a DUI in the past five years?

Will having a DUI prevent me from having a career in nursing?

[MsRNny]

I remember in nursing school my class all had a background check when we applied for state licensure. It is VERY possible the DUI will hinder your chance. But it's tricky because this DUI happened in a different state so I'm not completely sure.

[twinsmom788]

In my experience in dealing with cases before the BON ( not in NY), schools "may" have more lenient polices for admission than the BON for licensure of nurses. Also, the facilities, hospital, clinics, nursing homes, etc, where students will perform their clinicals may have restrictions on allowing students with criminal convictions. I personally would check with your state's BON before you go any further with your studies.

[twinsmom788]

I just read the last sentence of your post. A misdemeanor DUI will not prevent you from becoming a nurse in certain states. If you have completed whatever you were sentenced to and have learned from the experience not to repeat it, then I would encourage you to investigate your options.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I would call your NY BON before you start classes. My state has a law that no one can work as an RN for 5 years after a DUI, even if it is first offense. If you are a student in my state they will not let you sit for NCLEX until 5 years after your conviction

[Ramcharger310, ASN, CNA, RN, EMT-B]

In California the faq for state lvn licensing says misdemeanors need to be over 5 years old.

That school will most likely have clinical site with its own requirements regardless of what your school says.

The only way to know is to make a trip to the school and talk with the dept.

In my situation I was told the rn clinical site would not take me under 5 years but the lvn site would.