Obtaining a license with prior DUI convictions

[Loner81]

Yup! It's another one of those posts. I have seen them scattered about throughout this site as I have searched for information regarding this topic.:chair: (Yes this is how I feel right now typing this as I always fear negative responses when just wanting to ask a question).

I have 2 DUI convictions in my recent past. I got them both within 10 months while attending nursing school. I am almost done with nursing school and I cannot find any information on if this will impede me being able to get licensed or not.

Does anyone have any idea of what to expect? If I can't get licensed, it's probably time to go back to my previous career. I just love nursing and didn't want to have to do that, especially after working so hard and making good grades.

Yes, I screwed up...not once, but twice. I understand it's as stupid as burning yourself with the stove they told you not to touch....then going back and doing it yet again!

The consequences are absolutely terrible and I do live in regret and guilt daily...however, my biggest fear is this most likely will affect my nursing career.

If I can get licensed, who in the world would hire me? They would think they were hiring a drunk..which is definitely not the case!

Well, sorry if this all sounds silly and immature, but I do fear that I have no future in nursing. I have looked on the VABON site and have found nothing relating to this issue...some info about drug felonies and such, but nothing about 2 misdemeanor or even 1 conviction of DUI. I have emailed multiple people within this system and even they did not know.

I have spoken to my friends who are nurses at the hospitals in our local area. They tried to assure me that there are many many people working at that hospital with prior DUI's and that it's not all as bad as it seems.

I try to stay positive that way, but it doesn't really help when I don't even know if I can get licensed.

If anyone knows anything about these kinds of situations, please let me know.

Thanks.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

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?
  
• is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a 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 if my record has been sealed or expunged?

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

please refer to this thread for other information:

nursing licensure with a criminal history

good luck.