So I recently graduated from nursing school. About 6 months before graduation I was arrested for a DUI. Moreover, in 2016 I had multiple arrests for disorderly conduct and possession of marijuana. After my most recent arrest I figured I was screwed. I desperately sought out answers on whether I would be able to test and if so what would happen to me.
I hired a nursing license attorney right after my arrest because I knew I would have to submit a positive response to the board when applying to take my NCLEX. He had me do certain things ucb as get references, get a hair screen, get letters from my counselor and get a substance abuse evaluation. I did all of these things.
Fast forward, I recently just got finished with my board appearance to answer my positive responses. I was given approval with NO probation and NO referral to my states drug and alcohol program.
I am writing this to comfort fellow nursing students who may be worried about being able to test after having a criminal background. Yes, you will be able to test. I had four arrests (most drug or alcohol related) and I was able to test free and clear. My advice is to hire an attorney. It was the best decision I made. If you have to take out a loan. Do it! You need an attorney. There was a person that had an appearance right before me who had a DUI. This was her only charge. She did not have a lawyer and was given probation and a referral to the monitoring program. I am willing to answer anyone's questions.
If you are a student who has gotten in trouble, know that you will be OK and you will be able to test.
@almostnurse20 Have you considered getting a hair follicle test or peth test on your own just to strengthen your assertion that you are not still drinking or wtvr. It helped me. Also, if they ask if you've drank since then tell them no. Like not one since then. Not one on forth of July or anything, YOU'VE HAD NONE. You havent had any. They will likely ask what your sobriety date is- know this date. Don't stutter to tell them, spit it out quick if they ask. And good luck to you. Really I hope the best for you. I'm like pretty nervous for you. I just hope it all works out well for you. God speed
@Betterdaystocome I haven't honestly just because I'm doing what my attorney says and he hasn't suggested I go get anything. Also, my arrest was in august so I'm sure on a hair follicle test it may still show which won't help me. I haven't ever done any drugs though, just drank and only socially. I am nervous too but I've already driven myself crazy overthinking it. I am trying now just to wait it out and see what my outcome is and if it's not what I want then I can just go from there.
@almostnurse20 yeah I asked my lawyer about it because I heard someone else mention it and he was like that's not a bad idea. You know anything to strengthen it. Maybe ask your attorney about it. And Aug would be fine. It would be cleared most likely. They aren't very expensive. Could help for real. But thats exactly how I felt. I had stressed about it enough. I went in with knowing I was going to get at least probation. I had came to terms with it. I was tired of stressing about it. I just wanted to get it done and over with. Honestly the board meeting is chill. It's very quick and they ask you very pointed questions that are not judgemental or belittling. Basically they are just trying to understand what happened and what has been done to correct it. It was not what I was expecting. Dress nice, yes ma'am no sir etc. Get the lighting and background looking good. I'm glad you are remaining positive
@Betterdaystocome thank you, you've really helped with explaining how you've dealt with everything. I think the biggest thing I have going for me was that my BAC was so low and that besides this my history is clear, but like you said it's on a case by case basis. I think in these situations after you've driven yourself crazy doing so much research the only thing you can do is be positive and figure things out as they come. I will definitely keep you posted with how things go.
@almostnurse20 yeah I really hope it's good. My bac was so rediculous .241 ? Like I said am probably the least likely to deserve leniency and yet it was there. Good luck! I look forward to the update
Did you have problems getting into clinicals with your background? I have two misdemeanor DUI's from 2004 & 2009 and a felony Dui from 2010. But have been sober since the felony and very active in a 12 steps program and other community commitments. I have several letters of reference as well. The one school I spoke with said they couldn't take me cause they wouldn't be able to get me into clinicals
@Sajones no I didn't because I got my DUI before my last semester. I got my drug charges prior to nursing school (maybe like 2 years or less before enrolling) and they did not hender me.
Betterdaystocome
32 Posts
@almostnurse20 Have you considered getting a hair follicle test or peth test on your own just to strengthen your assertion that you are not still drinking or wtvr. It helped me. Also, if they ask if you've drank since then tell them no. Like not one since then. Not one on forth of July or anything, YOU'VE HAD NONE. You havent had any. They will likely ask what your sobriety date is- know this date. Don't stutter to tell them, spit it out quick if they ask. And good luck to you. Really I hope the best for you. I'm like pretty nervous for you. I just hope it all works out well for you. God speed