Possible DUI/Wet Reckless Conviction During Nursing School

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Hi everyone, I desperately need your advice/help while I’m going through this situation. First I’ll explain what happened to land me where I’m at today. Also I reside in Arizona, one of the strictest states on DUI’s so keep that in mind....

So I was out with friends one Saturday at a club and got drunk. No, I did not drive to the club, I rode with friends. After we were done, I was driven back to my friend’s apartment and I chilled there for about an hour (drank water and relaxed) then once I felt ready to drive back home, I left. Worst decision of my life. As I drove back home, I fell asleep 3 mins away from my house and crashed my car. Thank GOD nobody was hurt or killed nor did I hit anyone’s private property or car. I just hit the sidewalk and crashed my car. By the time of the accident it was about 3.6 hours since I had my last drink. At first when the cops showed up they literally could not tell I had any alcohol in my system because of how alert and informative I was (the paramedics and cops even asked me what I did for a living and I told them I was a nursing student), however I was 100% honest about what I was doing prior to the accident and they did a field sobriety test and what not...long story short I was arrested. Right now I’m waiting on my BAC test to come back and the police report bc the police did not notify me what I blew at all. I’m honestly confused because the cops were all so nice and easy going with me, which has my attorney and I suspecting I didn’t blow THAT high, so we are assuming below .08. All in all I had alcohol in my system whether it was a little or a lot, I sincerely know what I did was wrong and I am never going to make this mistake again. 
 

With all that being said, what does this mean for nursing school? I spoke with my attorney and I was told not to say anything to my Dean of Nurses at my school because I have not been convicted or charged with anything yet. In fact it could be months before we know what I am charged with since this isn’t a high priority case. I’ve already gone through a background check for school and everything is clear. Pretty much for now I’m supposed to lay low and just get rides to school and clinical. But is this the wrong move to make? I don’t want to be scrutinized by my professors or Dean when I graduate for not telling them what happened from the jump. Furthermore, what does this mean for licensing? I graduate May 2023 and I have no idea if my case will even be started or resolved by that time. I am going to have this charge set aside for sure for future employment but IDK when I’ll be able to complete that process because I have to pay all my fines and serve time if I get any. Overall I just need someone to let me know the right moves to make moving forward so I can become a Registered Nurse and have the opportunity to save and impact lives in a positive way! 

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Specializes in Customer service.

AZ-BON

It doesn't matter now. Wait for the decision. Also, your record will not evaporate that easily. 

Take care. 

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Do you really think it's a good idea to conceal a DUI to your school and the BON?  They can and WILL find out, and definitely before you graduate in May 2023.  The second you get fingerprinted your fingerprint clearance card will be revoked.  I had a shoplifting situation last year, way less of a priority than a DUI where I crashed my car, and it's all been settled already.  

I mean I've never fallen asleep while driving, ever in my life.  But it doesn't matter.  As someone who has had legal issues, you need to take this way more seriously than you seem to be.  This can potentially cost you your future, at least for a while.  Like you were already arrested.  IDK what school you're attending, I'm in AZ too, but some schools have strict rules about admitting any charge/citation/arrest very shortly after it occurs.   

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Nowhere in my post did I say that I would withhold this information from the Arizona BON. I have to be honest with them about my charges when I apply to get my nursing license. So I don’t appreciate you accusing me of doing that at all. Furthermore, your comment didn’t help me out at all regarding my situation. 

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The bottom part where I said some AZ schools have very strict rules about reporting criminal activity, that’s what you need to do. Find out what your schools rules are about reporting. Most Maricopa schools is 10 days after any criminal activity. 

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Specializes in Customer service.
19 hours ago, aznursingstudent312 said:

Nowhere in my post did I say that I would withhold this information from the Arizona BON. I have to be honest with them about my charges when I apply to get my nursing license. So I don’t appreciate you accusing me of doing that at all. Furthermore, your comment didn’t help me out at all regarding my situation. 

What I know, if a person is proven guilty of DUI, there's a slim chance to get a license. If a nurse is licensed and got DUI, there are  still legal ramifications involved with it. I'm not sure, but it sounded scary to me. Getting a DUI is serious. Don't take it lightly.  

It can change your life entirely. 

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Specializes in RN.

I want you to know that you are not a bad person, people make mistakes. I was at the beginning of my final semester of nursing school and got a DUI. I also crashed into a ditch (no one was hurt). I thought it was all over and I almost gave up. I entered myself into a treatment program immediately as this happened during our Winter break and I had a few weeks off (I'm not saying you need treatment/substance abuse help but I did). My case was pending all throughout the semester. I got rides to school and clinical like you mentioned. I laid low, focused on school and myself. Now a big difference here could be that this happened during covid lockdowns and we weren't allowed into the hospitals and had to complete clinical hours virtually so I lucked out there regarding background checks, just keep that in mind. I also want to mention I went to school with someone who had a previous DUI conviction on their record and it was never a problem regarding background checks and clinical. My lawyer also advised me not to disclose any of this to instructors because although I did have charges pending I was not convicted of anything yet. Fast forward -- I graduated, was convicted of the DUI after graduation, reported this to my states BON, passed NCLEX and it took longer than most of the others I graduated with to get licensed but I did. I went to treatment and got moral character references. Do what you can to show that you know you made a mistake and are sorry, look into your schools policies, and always listen to the advice your lawyer gives you. Also, talk to a trusted nurse you may know.. I did and although they weren't in the same situation as me they knew other nurses in my state who gave me some advice. It's going to suck for awhile but not forever, don't give up.

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15 hours ago, StudentM2021 said:

I want you to know that you are not a bad person, people make mistakes. I was at the beginning of my final semester of nursing school and got a DUI. I also crashed into a ditch (no one was hurt). I thought it was all over and I almost gave up. I entered myself into a treatment program immediately as this happened during our Winter break and I had a few weeks off (I'm not saying you need treatment/substance abuse help but I did). My case was pending all throughout the semester. I got rides to school and clinical like you mentioned. I laid low, focused on school and myself. Now a big difference here could be that this happened during covid lockdowns and we weren't allowed into the hospitals and had to complete clinical hours virtually so I lucked out there regarding background checks, just keep that in mind. I also want to mention I went to school with someone who had a previous DUI conviction on their record and it was never a problem regarding background checks and clinical. My lawyer also advised me not to disclose any of this to instructors because although I did have charges pending I was not convicted of anything yet. Fast forward -- I graduated, was convicted of the DUI after graduation, reported this to my states BON, passed NCLEX and it took longer than most of the others I graduated with to get licensed but I did. I went to treatment and got moral character references. Do what you can to show that you know you made a mistake and are sorry, look into your schools policies, and always listen to the advice your lawyer gives you. Also, talk to a trusted nurse you may know.. I did and although they weren't in the same situation as me they knew other nurses in my state who gave me some advice. It's going to suck for awhile but not forever, don't give up.

Thank you so much, this post made me feel a lot better! God Bless YOU! I just don’t want this to be the end for me you know? When I wrote this post I was hella discouraged but now I have found strength and I will do everything it takes to graduate in 2023 and get my license! I know this isn’t the end for my future career, I just have to get over the extra hurdles along the way. It will be hard but still possible to accomplish. Also, if you don’t mind me asking, how long did the BON make you wait to test for the NCLEX after you graduated (if they did make you wait)? And is there any advice you have for me when I speak with the BON about the charge went I get ready to take the NCLEX? I know they do an FBI level background checks so when I get the charge set aside (I’m doing that immediately when everything is over with) they will still be able to see it regardless.

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