Nursing school two DUI's

Nurses Criminal

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So I got into this accelerated LPN program. Unfortunately I was dumb and got two back to back dui's one in December of 2023. And the 2nd one in February 2024. Not good decision making on my part and thankfully I didn't injure anyone or myself. I was convicted of both in April and I start school late June of 2024. My concern is will even be able to placed for clinicals with this now on my record? Because I know they run background checks before they place you. I've been taking all the steps needed. With having an IID installed in my car, dui school, and paying my fines. I'm just worried I won't be able to complete the program now. And to give more context I know every state is different I live in California. 

Did everything work out with clinical?

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Coffee0725 said:

Did everything work out with clinical?

Unfortunately I don't know yet I'll know by September. I'm currently doing an online portion of the class. So I won't find out till we switch to the in person segment of the program. But they know now so we'll see what happens when we did our background checks they said if we didn't disclose any current convictions or pending we could be dropped from the program. So I had to come clean. So we'll see what happens I'm hoping for the best. 

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
TEd123 said:

No I never changed the original post there was someone else who has the same situation who posted on here as well. And the comment that oldmember was responding to was the other person. 

Thank you for the clarification

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Specializes in Occupational Health.

"they know now,,,"

"So I had to come clean..."

Just a couple of examples from your posts that demonstrate a real problem with honesty and ethics. This type of juvenile behavior won't serve you well in your nursing program or in life. I strongly suggest that your reconsider your personal and professional choices.

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sleepwalker said:

"they know now,,,"

"So I had to come clean..."

Just a couple of examples from your posts that demonstrate a real problem with honesty and ethics. This type of juvenile behavior won't serve you well in your nursing program or in life. I strongly suggest that your reconsider your personal and professional choices.

Thanks bud 

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Specializes in EMS.

Hey, I know others mentioned this already, but pleading not guilty is always the best choice for these types of situations because you can have your lawyer try and reduce it to something less, that won't have you blocked by the Board of Nursing. Especially two is tough because you can use the excuse that you were naïve etc, so it will be harder to fight but still possible. Have a lawyer on stand by, you may need one for getting past the Board of Nursing if they don't budge. It's happened in the past and if you really need to a lawyer can solve the situation.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

You also need to contact your board of nursing for your state. Even if you are allowed to complete clinicals they may not license you.  Before you spend thousands of dollars more on school I would make sure you can get licensed. As far as clinicals the only person that can answer that is your school.  You are facing an uphill climb because everything it about liability. If you hurt a patient first thing a lawyer will do is check your criminal background.  And then they will sue the hospital for hiring you with a criminal background . I am not saying you can't do it, but be aware of all possibilities before spending more money. 

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Specializes in EMS.
windsurfer8 said:

You also need to contact your board of nursing for your state. Even if you are allowed to complete clinicals they may not license you.  Before you spend thousands of dollars more on school I would make sure you can get licensed. As far as clinicals the only person that can answer that is your school.  You are facing an uphill climb because everything it about liability. If you hurt a patient first thing a lawyer will do is check your criminal background.  And then they will sue the hospital for hiring you with a criminal background . I am not saying you can't do it, but be aware of all possibilities before spending more money. 

I agree! If you check the "Student Nurse" Subreddit you can find many other cases of Nursing students with different charges being given permission from there dean to finish up there degree, but when they go to apply for a license the board of Nursing would block the process due to the criminal record. Even people who had a criminal record as minors and got it expunged have issues. Some states are lenient, some states are very strict.  

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Specializes in Acute Care.

Hi!

I was in nursing school and got two DUIs back to back in my last semester. I did not report it to my nursing program and I had a clinical rotation at the VA hospital, I disclosed to the VA on the background check form that I had two DUIs and that never caused an issue with being able to complete my clinical rotation. If your program has no policy about reporting convictions do not disclose it. 

When applying for your nursing license you will need to show proof that you are sober and in recovery and committed to it.  I recommend going to 1-2 AA meetings a week and going to counseling for AODA treatment or any type of therapy (start ASAP).

When applying for initial licensure for my RN I received a limited nursing license and am required to be on probation for 3 years. If you are able to get legal counsel by an attorney that specializes in professional health care licensing that will be very beneficial when navigating the application process. Don't give up!! you have worked so hard for your nursing degree and you deserve to be able to practice as a nurse! Be very proactive with showing you have learned from your mistakes and you are not a danger to the public.

 

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Even if the DUI convictions present no problems with your ability to finish your program and graduate there might be issues when it's time to apply for your nursing license. You are correct that every state is different. Unfortunately, there's no way to predict how the state BON will react. While it won't hurt to contact the state BON with questions don't be surprised if you get no definitive answer. It's likely whoever you reach there will just tell you convictions are handled on a case-by-case basis and you would have to wait until you graduate and are ready to sit the NCLEX before you even find out what if any the barriers will be. 

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NurseLiv96 said:

Hi!

I was in nursing school and got two DUIs back to back in my last semester. I did not report it to my nursing program and I had a clinical rotation at the VA hospital, I disclosed to the VA on the background check form that I had two DUIs and that never caused an issue with being able to complete my clinical rotation. If your program has no policy about reporting convictions do not disclose it. 

When applying for your nursing license you will need to show proof that you are sober and in recovery and committed to it.  I recommend going to 1-2 AA meetings a week and going to counseling for AODA treatment or any type of therapy (start ASAP).

When applying for initial licensure for my RN I received a limited nursing license and am required to be on probation for 3 years. If you are able to get legal counsel by an attorney that specializes in professional health care licensing that will be very beneficial when navigating the application process. Don't give up!! you have worked so hard for your nursing degree and you deserve to be able to practice as a nurse! Be very proactive with showing you have learned from your mistakes and you are not a danger to the public.

 

Honestly thank you for such a positive and informative response. Not only for the initial post, but for others who are going through a similar situation. I just got a dui last month, in my final semester of nursing school and I feel so lost navigating the next chapter of my life. I always appreciate coming across posts that shed light on the situation and showing that this is not the end of your nursing career for people who made a stupid mistake. Thanks again. 

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