red_robster408

Look into getting an evaluation done. I know I preach this a lot but it def. helped me. It does not imply that you have an alcohol problem. Its like you telling the BON you don't have a problem with alcohol and that a medical doctor concurs.

I agree with the Assist Adm.'s response. Its hard to say until you have completed your program. I have had classmates who had to wait a few months after graduation before they got the OK from the BON. I would also recommend starting gathering your documents and character references. Finally, if you have extra cash, look into getting an assessment done by an addiction specialist. I strongly feel that with this assessment clearing you of any addictive behavior from a medical doctor, the BON is more likely to grant you permission to take the NCLEX or grant you your RN license.

I did not have to sit for another NCLEX. I just had to take it once when I got approved by Washington Dept of Health. Once I got my RN license from WA, I applied for my RN license in TX thru endorsement and finally, I applied for CA RN license via endorsement as well

My CA nursing license came in the mail today. After 272 days of my DUI incident, the CA BON granted me an unrestricted license. I wanted to start that thread for people who might be in a similar situation. There is hope. Don't let others tell you otherwise because every situation is different. "No matter what your past looks like, your future is spotless."

Hi Karenkk, Im sorry to hear about your situation. From what I have learned, the CA BON will not issue you a license until this is all taken care of. I would suggest writing them a letter and acknowledge your responsibility to the DMV and court and that you will apply for a CA RN license when you have completed these. In the mean time, I would gather all the necessary document to send to the CA BON. Documents such as; 1) official court documents 2) police report 3) certification of sheriff work program. I would go as far as attending AA meetings, nurse support group and getting an assessment from a certified addiction specialist who can clear you as not having any problems with alcohol and that this DUI was a one time poor judgement kind of deal. I know that sounds like ALOT to do but you have to demonstrate to the CA BON that you are not addicted to any substance and you are safe to the public. If you have any questions, shoot me an email: supraman408 at gmail.com

Hi, I was in a similar situation back in Feb. I just graduated nursing school and was scheduled to take the NCLEX, went out and got behind the wheel thinking I was sober enough to drive since I only had 2 drinks 3 hours earlier and been urinating and hydrating with water. I wasnt even buzzing but got pulled over and blew a 0.11. I notified the CA BON immediately and they denied my application for license until the entire process is complete. Not taking no for an answer, I applied for my Washington State RN license, disclose my DUI along with a letter of explanation and a letter from an addiction specialist stating I do not have an alcohol problem with no signs of hepatic toxicity and that this DUI was a one time misjudgement. The WA BON allowed me to sit for the NCLEX and have granted me an unrestricted RN license in WA. After reading all of the messages about people in similar situation, I decided to get a lawyer. Everyone says get a lawyer because it makes the process smoother or to protect your license but I think it really depends on your case. If you feel like it is something you can fight and get it reduced to a wet and wreckless bc there was no reason for the officer to pull you over, then I would def get a layer. For my DUI, I believed officer did not have probable cause for pulling me over, the police report was clearly fabricated with facts that were not true. My lawyer and I requested video from that night but apparently, the Mt. View Police Department does not have dash video (weird I know. They can provide wireless internet connect to everyone in the city but do not have video cameras on police squad cars). If I can do it over, I would not have gotten a lawyer and do what the court ask ($1986 in fines, 3 day sheriffs work program and 3 year suspension). Instead, my lawyer has dragged this process out and it is still yet to be resolved. I would recommend you be honest with yourself and think about your case. Dont call a lawyer and tell them your case bc they are gonna tell you they can fight it and that you have a strong case bc they want you to hire them and take your money. You might be better off just admitting your fault in court and take what they hand down. It will save you time. In the mean time, I suggest going to AA meetings a nurse support group and volunteering. I dont know if they have one for LVNs but they have one for RNs. Make a table and write down your attendance. This would show to the LVN board that you are serious and have taken steps to make payments to your community for your wrong doing. I would highly suggest you see an addiction specialist and get an evaluation. It would look highly favorable to the board if a certified MD has cleared you via letter stating you are not addicted to alcohol or are dependent on it. As for my CA RN license, I will appear in court this friday and will plead guilty. I have given up on trying to fight this. It was a mistake and I have accepted it. I want to complete what the court orders and move on with my life. Had I done this from the beginging without going thru all the legal process, my DUI would have been cleared and taken care of by now. I wish you the best of luck. I understand it is a tough situation but take it one day at a time. Its not the end and you will have the opportunity to nurse. It might not be today or tomorrow, but it will happen! No matter what your past looks like, your future is spotless

Tblase-i was upfront with them at the time I was applying to retake the nclex, wrote a letter of explanation and they allowed me to test. Once I passed, my license came in the mail. I looked myself up with their license verification system and it said i have zero restrictions nor are there any pending actions against my license.

lifeinthefields: i was allowed to sit for the nclex thru the washington state department of health. since my last update, i have sat for and passed the nclex. the state of washington has granted me a full rn license with zero restrictions. i was upfront with them and disclosed my dui in a written statement mailed along with my application package, about two weeks later, i received my authorization to test (ATT) which allows me to sit for the nclex thru pearsonvue. as of right now, i am an RN with an unrestricted license in the state of washington. as for an update on my dui case in CA, i had my dmv hearing about a month ago and my driving license is suspended until nov 2. i am eligible for a restricted permit in about 2 weeks but i have to have proof of enrollment in a dui class, sr-22 insurance, and $125 reissue fee. whats holding me up from signing up for a dui class is i dont know if the dui will get reduce to a wet and reckless bc its a big difference in length of class time and money if i have to take a first offense dui or a wet and wreckless class. my lawyer is currently working thru the discovery motion to get evidence from the district attorneys and thats where my case has been.

So it's been a couple of months since my last post so Il update on what has happened since. I was scheduled to appear in court in early April 2013 which was rescheduled to early May. My lawyer was able to obtain the police report the day before our April 2013 court date. I went over the report and found somethings I did not totally agree with. I mentioned this to my lawyer and I wanted him to get a copy of the police audio/video file from that night to compare with the police report. My lawyer has put in the request for that tape about 3 weeks ago but have heard nothing. I recently had my second date in court in early May where my lawyer asked for an extension until we can the police video. During this May court appearance, the DA made a deal for first time DUI that consisted of $2000 fine, 3 years probation, 3 month DUI class, and 6 days of a work program (substitution for jail). I respectfully decline because thats not really a "deal"-its pretty much what the court will hand down if I get convicted of DUI. So as of right now, Im still waiting for the police video. I hope to have the video before my next court date in early June. In the mean time, I've been attending one AA meeting, one nurse support group, and volunteering once every week and documenting my attendance weekly. I've also collected a letter of reference for the CA BON to mail in as supporting evidence along with the letter from the addiction specialist. I've also been studying for the NCLEX. I applied for an RN license in a different state which has granted me permission to test. In the application, I fully disclosed my pending DUI and the actions Im taking to correct the problem along with my progress in court. This state was nice enough to allow me to test so this past week Ive been doing the KAPLAN NCLEX review. Il continue to update and hope this helps those who might have made a similar mistake.

Went to see an addiction psychologist yesterday. The wait took forever and a day but was able to see him. The Dr did a full assessment and went on to discuss my drinking habits. After all was said and done, he determined I did not have an addiction problem or any other issues with substance abuse. Now, Im requesting he write a report about his findings to the BRN to support my case.

Hey everyone, I wanted to start a post and document what Im going thru so others who might find themselves in a similar situation have some insight. I recently graduated with my BSN in December 2012 from a nursing program in the Bay Area (California). I applied to take my NCLEX in the beginning of Feb and was granted permission with no difficulty as I didn't have a criminal record. I failed because I was not taking the NCLEX seriously. Since failing, I signed up for KAPLANS NCLEX prep and was doing that when I decided to go out one night. I had two drinks and was pulled over on my way home. I was not impaired, was not speeding, swirving lanes, etc. and resulted in no property damage or hurt anyone. I pulled over thinking the cop was trying to pass me on a one lane road (one lane going in each direction) and this was when he pulled me over. I passed the field sobriety test but failed the field breathalyzer by blowing a 0.11. I had stopped drinking 2 hours before driving, was drinking water and urinating frequently to get it out of my system. My application to retest was sent in on a Thursday and a two days later was when I was charged with my DUI. I called the BRN first thing Monday morning and told them what had happen. As of right now, I have not received my ATT letter nor have a received a letter stating they have denied me to take my NCLEX for the second time. Im leaving the situation with the BRN alone until I can resolve my DUI case with the court and DMV. I have hired a lawyer and determined to fight this because I believe I have a strong case. Im still waiting to hear back from my lawyer about my DMV hearing date. He called them last Wednesday and they told him they would call him back by the end of this week. We are waiting for this DMV hearing to get the police report and work out a strategy for my date in court (scheduled for April 9th, 2013). Lucky for me, this DUI did not result in any damage of property or injury but using this as a growing/learning experience. If anyone is in a similar situation, feel free to post. Please keep this to CA-BRN related DUIs and keep all negative comments to yourself. Thank you