Nursing student just got a DUI

Nurses General Nursing

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HI, as we all do sometimes, I had three beers, and decided to drive my friend to her home, which I know it was a mistake, especially my car had an expired sticker(waiting for the DMV sticker) and is quite old, a bargain for the cops to pull me over. That was the reason, I got pulled over.) I understand and accept my mistake and want to fix, and will do it for sure.

I want to fix this problem , I have never had any problems with the law, this was my first offense having drunk 3 coronas, I think it was just bad luck. I am a good student, work hard to achieve my goals, and love nursing.

It sounds to me that okay, I will go to classes DUI program everything, but 3 beers and then suddenly from night to day , you are a criminal, it's very funny to me this situation and at the same time scary.

PLease if anyone knows about the consequences , could you let me know?

once again, thanks a lot for your help, the nurses here have always been so good, I love this website.

Specializes in Government.

I'm a nurse for a state DOT. I deal with the health/substance impaired driving question for a living.

First off, it is critical that you find out what the laws are in YOUR state. They vary tremendously. Do whatever the DMV/court/arbitrator asks you to do. Follow up on all procedures, fines, hearings. Your best bet of getting out of this in one piece resides with strong counsel and compliance with state procedures.

Don't get defensive. Do cooperate. See what things can be done for a first time offender. The people who adjudicate this can be a huge help to you.

Although I'd be out of a job if it happened, I'd love to never hear the words "it was just a couple of beers" again. From 15 to 95, I've heard drivers minimize their actions with that phrase. We're not doing as much as we should to get the word out that this is serious.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.
I am sorry, I am going to come across really nasty here----I have little sympathy for you. You tell all of this to people who have lost loved ones or friends to DUI drivers. Then complain here.

I am sorry, you do indeed have to pay a huge price for this mistake. But it did not "happen to you"; you made these certain choices and now you are lucky enough to live them them. You see, the *ultimate* price has sometimes been paid by other people who did nothing wrong but cross the path of drunk and drugged drivers. To me, the laws *CANNOT possibly* be stringent enough to stop this madness. Personally, if I have had one drink, I will not drive. Period. I have no way of knowing from one day to the next how much may be "too much", as I can metabolize alcohol differently at different times.

As nurses, we have to have good judgement, both on and off the job. So consider this a lesson toward that end.

I really do wish you well and hope you have learned your lesson. You were very lucky, if you ask me. The outcome could have been your own death or permanent injury or that of an innocent person in your path. Good luck to you.

Personally, I think it's total disrespect for human life.

Period.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Personally, I think it's total disrespect for human life.

Period.

Yes indeed it is. But I am sure we will be seen as "crucifying" or "persecuting" the OP here. Ah well, I feel purty strongly on this issue. I know a couple of good folks (one who had been in the class ahead of me who was a young mother of several kids, and about to graduate in 2 months) dead due to a drunken/impaired driver who apparently, had no regard for others' lives over his own drinking, either.

We all do stupid things in our lives. I can't claim I have not. But driving impaired is not one thing I would risk doing,ever--- and I never have. Can't live w/the potential disaster I could cause by choosing to do that one thing.

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Specializes in jack of all trades, master of none.

I drove under the influence, ONCE, b/c I thought I wasn't as drunk as the person I was with (my alcoholic ex-husband). It was many, many years ago, I wasn't even legal to drink & I was scared!!! Scared I would crash, scared I would hit someone, but too scared to call home. PURE stupidity on my part. Now that I am a mom, I am constantly telling my teen to call home if she ( & her friends) are ever in that situation. I would much rather wake from a sleep to "mom, can you pick me up" instead of "Can you get a ride to the hospital?" I have met many people whose lives have been affected by drunk drivers. It sucks and no matter how many times you say "bla,bla,bla...it was just a few corona's" will never replace a loved one.

My ex continues to drink & drive... his daughter is no longer allowed to be around him, b/c he is so dangerous. Now, if he would just get caught so other people don't have to worry about their kids........

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I agree with those who said they have no sympathy for anyone who chooses to get behind the wheel after having a drink, no matter how harsh it sounds. I have an aunt who was killed by a drunk driver years ago, and drinking/driving is one thing that I have absolutely ZERO tolerance for. To me, it is a huge responsibility issue. If someone can't be responsible enough to take control of their own behavior in such a situation, then it's a scary thought - what could happen with patients placed under the care of someone who doesn't take personal responsibility for their actions?

This really isn't intended towards the OP, but just my thoughts in general. I know that we all do make mistakes. Good luck. :)

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I'm glad the OP posted his experience with drinking and driving. It's important to talk about this issue. Maybe just by reading this thread, someone who may have thought it was ok to "have a couple beers" and then drive home will think twice about it. My brother is only 22 and an alcoholic. He's been drinking daily since the age of 16 and yes, he has driven many times while impaired. A year and a half ago I got a phone call in the middle of the night to come bail him out of jail after a DUI. I was glad that he had been caught, and so relieved that it happened before he ever hurt someone else. It took him over a year to get his license back. He had to go to a detox facility, then get substance abuse counseling, spend 2 weekends in jail, pay a lawyer and thousands in fines, etc before he could get his license back. Now he has zero tolerance; if he gets caught with any alcohol in his system while driving, he will face even tougher penalties. Although he still uses alcohol, I'm glad to say he does not drink and drive anymore.

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Yeah, I am willing to pay the price, but I still continue to take great care of my patients, and learning a lot and of course studying a lot every day.

I did take the stupid risk of driving, and now, that's okay, I made a mistake. I am sure that I will come out of this because I know what I did was wrong, and it doesn't affect my skills and thinking. I am not drug addicted, don't drink all the time, but made a terrible mistake of drinking and driving, I recognize that.

I am ready to face my challenges, and prove that I am a great nurse , and this is not going to affect my cognitive skills. I assume i made a mistake, and even could harm people, but of course never happened and it won't happen again ever.

Thanks for the honest responses here, it's a learning experience for me, and I appreciate that a lot.

take care and have a great weekend.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Think this thread has run its course so closing now.

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