Owi stupid mistake. Where to go from here?

[Sarahlin]

I am in my first semester of nursing school in Wisconsin and three days ago received an OWI. I am a wreck. Emotional, and concerned about my future as a nurse. In the state of WI first offense OWI are not a criminal offense nor are they a misdemeanor. Does anyone have any insight if this will affect me for clinical placement?

[dishes, BSN, RN]

As far as what they wouldn't accept I assume it would be up to the individual clinical place?

What does your student handbook say? My guess is that all the clinical sites want a clean record period.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the General Nursing Student forum.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

I read the application for RN license for WI. You'll be asked if you've ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony. If a first offense OWI is considered neither, you should be able to answer 'no' to that question, and no red flags would be raised on your application.

As far as how this will affect your schooling, that is something that can only be answered by the Dean of your program. Your nursing student handbook will specify a code of conduct for students. It's entirely possible that receiving an OWI will place you on probation or result in dismissal from the program. Again, that's something only your school can answer. However, if the school allows you to stay on as a student, your classes and clinical placement should not be affected. If the clinical hospital does run a background check on student nurses, nothing should come up, since you have no criminal charges. I hope things work out for you.

[Sarahlin]

I have not been convicted as of yet but I am almost positive I will be. In Wisconsin it is not considered a criminal offense it is a civil case. It is not even a misdimeanor. Would this still be considered a criminal offense?

[dishes, BSN, RN]

I just was wondering if anyone else has been in my shoes and what happened to them or how did they overcome this?

Did you try using the search tool in the top right hand corner? There may be other WI nursing students who had OWI.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

I'm not familiar with WI laws but if it isn't a felony or a misdemeanor it doesn't appear you would have to state that on the RN license application. Again, that doesn't affect whether there will be repercussions from your school. If you want clarification on WI laws, I suggest contacting a DWI attorney in your state.

[Zyprexa_Ho]

If it is a civil case and not a criminal one, you shouldn't have a criminal record at all.

[Kuriin, BSN, RN]

Hospitals that you get placed in do not do background checks. Can you imagine how much that would cost each semester? The only people who will do background checks will be employment and your school. If you are convicted, you will need to do extra paperwork for when you are prepared to take the NCLEX.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

She will be convicted people. She just received the violation. So yes, you will have an issue. I just sat through the monthly BON meeting for a different state. And yes, people in your situation had to appear. I can't tell you the outcome as I am not a legal advisor. I would suggest consulting one.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Hospitals that you get placed in do not do background checks. Can you imagine how much that would cost each semester? The only people who will do background checks will be employment and your school. If you are convicted, you will need to do extra paperwork for when you are prepared to take the NCLEX.

There are clinical sites that do additional background checks in addition to the screening done by school. One site did that and students had to agree to possible random drug screens just like employees

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

I have not been convicted as of yet but I am almost positive I will be. In Wisconsin it is not considered a criminal offense it is a civil case. It is not even a misdimeanor. Would this still be considered a criminal offense?

No, because, as you indicated, it is a civil case, not a criminal case.

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

There are clinical sites that do additional background checks in addition to the screening done by school. One site did that and students had to agree to possible random drug screens just like employees

This. I went to a state mental hospital for my psych rotation and we had to pay for the privilege of getting our own Live Scans done and federal background checks. Some people didn't make it through so they had to be reassigned to a different clinical.