Nursing Student makes a very stupid decision and recieved a DUI...advice...?

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I am a nursing student in California, I am in my first semester of the program. I've read some threads on the matter which I am about to discuss but have not found an answer speicific to my problem. I recently made the worst decision of my life and drove home after having some drinks and recieved a DUI, this is my first DUI (or problem with the law ever) and it had no aggrevating charges. I hired a lawyer to help me through the legal process, but I am almost sure It will remain a DUI or at best a "wet reckless" I am adamant about taking the Alcohol classes and anything else required of me and refraining from ever putting myself in this situation again. My question is how and when should I tell my program, my greatest fear is being thrown out of the program and losing my chance to pursure this career choice which I've worked towards the past 1 1/2 years. I've reflected on this utterly stupid choice I made which was totally out of character for me and know I will have to tell my instructors. If I do remain in the program I know I will have to disclose this to the California Board of Nursing and will need personal reference letters from relevant people (i.e instructors, faculty) so trying to skate under the radar and finish quietly is not an option. Please any advice from people with experience knowledge on the matter would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

questions we seem to be encountering more and more often have to do with the effects of a criminal history on nursing licensure:

  • is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a criminal history and if so, can i get a job?
  • is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a mip, dui, or other related charges?
  • what happens if you are charged or convicted of a crime after licensure?
  • can i go to nursing school and/or be licensed/be employed if my record has been sealed or expunged?
  • what if i have a “deferred adjudication”? will i have to declare this as a conviction?
  • will i be able to go to nursing school and/or attend clinicals with a criminal record?
  • what can happen if i receive a mip/dui/dwi or other charge while still in school

these are questions that the members of allnurses.com cannot answer. the only reliable source of information is your state board of nursing.

if you are a nursing student or are interested in becoming a nurse you need to contact your bon and/or your school of nursing directly. you need to be completely candid with them as to the nature and disposition of the crimes. each board of nursing makes a determination on a case by case basis and some are willing to issue a declarative statement in advance.

we wish you the best as you try to get through this.

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I don't know what the specific steps are for a DUI case is. Since I've never gotten one and I'm only a social drinker, very occasional. Very occasional means, maybe one to three drinks a year! In other words; even if I have some, I easily get drunk so, I limit my alcohol intake. I'm not used to the stuff. I don't understand the fascination with alcohol, but personally ---> I'd prefer to drink Pepsi or Sprite/7-UP anyday! Anyway. . .

I'm not sure if you're required to tell your instructors or the nursing program, since it didn't happen while you're in lecture, lab, or clinical. But, you seriously, NEED to be honest with yourself though. Maybe you have a drinking problem? You have a lot more things to worry about other than the nursing program, don't you think?

If you don't have a drinking problem, what's the big deal in just doing what you need to do to "fix" your situation? I mean take all the AA classes required and etc., just to make your mistake go away?

I guess ethics plays a major part in your situation. Nursing schools are only required to check your criminal background for clinical site purposes. But, I doubt that they can penalize you for your DUI. Unless, ofcourse, you show up intoxicated -- that's a different story, isn't it?

Be honest with yourself. You'll know what to do next.

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Should I wait until I have completed the Alcohol classes and whatever other (if any) penalties before I have a sit down with them? :confused:

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Ok, my mistake... maybe you can't be a nurse if you have a DUI? (depends on the state).

Goodluck.

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Our program director told us one of the first days of class, if we get into any trouble with the law to let them know as soon as possible. I know you don't want to say and take a chance of getting kicked out of the program, but at the same time, you would hate to do the entire program only to find out, it was for nothing. The faculty is there to help you, not be against you, so just talk with them and have them guide you in the right direction! Let us know how things go.

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Thanks for the input tiffany. I will.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
I don't know what the specific steps are for a DUI case is. Since I've never gotten one and I'm only a social drinker, very occasional. Very occasional means, maybe one to three drinks a year! In other words; even if I have some, I easily get drunk so, I limit my alcohol intake. I'm not used to the stuff. I don't understand the fascination with alcohol, but personally ---> I'd prefer to drink Pepsi or Sprite/7-UP anyday! Anyway. . .

I'm not sure if you're required to tell your instructors or the nursing program, since it didn't happen while you're in lecture, lab, or clinical. But, you seriously, NEED to be honest with yourself though. Maybe you have a drinking problem? You have a lot more things to worry about other than the nursing program, don't you think?

If you don't have a drinking problem, what's the big deal in just doing what you need to do to "fix" your situation? I mean take all the AA classes required and etc., just to make your mistake go away?

I guess ethics plays a major part in your situation. Nursing schools are only required to check your criminal background for clinical site purposes. But, I doubt that they can penalize you for your DUI. Unless, ofcourse, you show up intoxicated -- that's a different story, isn't it?

Be honest with yourself. You'll know what to do next.

I disagree with this.

We still live in a country until you are innocent until proven guilty and it didn't appear to me, from her post, that she has been convicted of anything...yet...only charged.

The OP should not have to report anything to anyone until the legal process is complete.

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I don't know what the specific steps are for a DUI case is. Since I've never gotten one and I'm only a social drinker, very occasional. Very occasional means, maybe one to three drinks a year! In other words; even if I have some, I easily get drunk so, I limit my alcohol intake. I'm not used to the stuff. I don't understand the fascination with alcohol, but personally ---> I'd prefer to drink Pepsi or Sprite/7-UP anyday! Anyway. . .

I'm not sure if you're required to tell your instructors or the nursing program, since it didn't happen while you're in lecture, lab, or clinical. But, you seriously, NEED to be honest with yourself though. Maybe you have a drinking problem? You have a lot more things to worry about other than the nursing program, don't you think?

If you don't have a drinking problem, what's the big deal in just doing what you need to do to "fix" your situation? I mean take all the AA classes required and etc., just to make your mistake go away?

I guess ethics plays a major part in your situation. Nursing schools are only required to check your criminal background for clinical site purposes. But, I doubt that they can penalize you for your DUI. Unless, ofcourse, you show up intoxicated -- that's a different story, isn't it?

Be honest with yourself. You'll know what to do next."

I am being honest with myself, I am going to have to face telling them sooner or later. My question was if I should wait till I'm done in court or do it before then. Anyways, I am a social drinker as well, I work hard and study hard and recieved a call from some friends that night, my problem was deciding to drive home after having some drinks. I should of just called a taxi. The problem I have is not drinking itself, but making a bad decision while I just happened to be drinking. I dont drink everday, week, or month for the that matter. I just read your post and found it not helpfull at all but rather very judgemental....anyways good day to you.

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Specializes in Float.
I am being honest with myself, I am going to have to face telling them sooner or later. My question was if I should wait till I'm done in court or do it before then. Anyways, I am a social drinker as well, I work hard and study hard and recieved a call from some friends that night, my problem was deciding to drive home after having some drinks. I should of just called a taxi. The problem I have is not drinking itself, but making a bad decision while I just happened to be drinking. I dont drink everday, week, or month for the that matter. I just read your post and found it not helpfull at all but rather very judgemental....anyways good day to you.

I agree. Having had no experience with a DUI's and the comment about preferring soda above alcohol, that post was as useful as your mother shaking her finger at you and saying tsk, tsk. Lotus1 it sounds like you have taken the first best step and hired a lawyer. Maybe your lawyer can poke around 'unofficially' with other administrative lawyers and find out what proper procedure is concerning what would be the most appropiate time to disclose.

Vegas

Her reference to taking AA classes was not a confession. It was akin to drug dealers being diverted to drug court because they'd rather get a diversion for being 'an addict' as opposed to doing serious time for selling drugs, even though they don't use. Your comment was harsh, especially the 'don't you think?' part. :nono:

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Dear Lotus,

I know in our program we need a background check because of clinical placement. That's why they want to know right away because it is a "risk" for the hospitals/long term care facilities that are bringing us in as students to bring someone in with criminal charges. What I mean by that is that they would want to know if someone had a history of assault etc.

As for a DUI, I THINK and I'm not sure, that it is to the discretion of the employer so you might have a bit of a harder time finding a job or getting a clinical placement but if you work hard and you show your dedication to righting a wrong, you should be fine after some time. I would definitely talk to a teacher who you can rely on and ask some advice.

As a point to you and the negative poster in this thread--absolutely EVERYONE makes mistakes. The most important thing is that you are taking this experience and learning from it. And as a fellow nursing student I am behind you 100%. One of the most important part of being a nurse or being a nursing student or being a human being is supporting those around you during their times of weakness. We all have times of weakness and we're all proud of you for your efforts to go about this the proper way and get through it.

I wish you luck and keep us posted on what comes of it so that we can give better advice to other people who might be in the same position.

STAY STRONG!

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Thank you so much for your kind, helpfull, and inspirational words fiandgrace. Some time has past since the intial incident and I am about to have my laywer go in for the court day on monday and Ill find out how much in fines I'll have to pay and what other penalties Ill have to do (e.g. court mandated classes, community service, etc.) or if the whole thing may be dropped. My first semester is almost over and I am planning on telling my instructors during the summer as Im finishing up the classes and/or community services. I dont have the highest grade in class but I'm at a high B and I work hard and have shown progress in my school work, mainly careplans. I just hope that all that plus having my fines paid off and my penalties in progress will be enough to show them that I want to make a mends for this very ill decision. Wish me luck, I hope the next time I post I will be about my program letting me continue and not a post about ..well I hate to even think about it now. Thank you for your support and you post :)

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