Omegaseamaster

Yeah I haven’t had issues traveling to Canada, but it was for the purpose of pleasure not to work. In theory they could deny me entry for any criminal offense if they really wanted to ruin my day but they haven’t since traveling there on a few occasions. I personally don’t think having this offense will greatly limit your ability to practice and receiving your license in different states. It might a little like prolonging the time to get licensed, and I’ve read some horror stories about California’s BON and criminal charges but I don’t plan on practicing there. I’ve had issues in Louisiana but I never plan on going back there. I would personally research whatever state you want to travel to’s licensing application. Some are more lenient and only want sentencing documents; and some are more strict and want the arrest records as well. Which will show what you were originally arrested for. I would personally stay put for now until this case gets settled and stick to some of the more lenient states to travel to. So in that sense it might limit you a little, and prolong your application process. I can’t speak for other countries as I haven’t researched or been interested yet in practicing abroad. I would definitely fight to get it dropped to a minor traffic offense; but I would definitely not take it to a jury trial hoping the jury would not find you guilty because you were defiantly over the limit. I’m glad you found this thread helpful! We all make mistakes and none of us are bad people just ended up being at the wrong place at the wrong time. I think most people recognize this and that’s why most BONs aren’t going to hassle you too much about this offense. And from looking at this thread and the responses it has, these things are a lot more common than what you might think. Keep me posted!

OK gotcha, I didn’t know you’re coming from Canada. I’ve been to Canada following my reckless driving twice and have had no problems getting over the boarder. They never asked about my driving record so maybe they didn’t look or didn’t care I’m not sure. I never reached trial. I made a deal that I would plead guilty the first time to the reckless and it was settled within a few months. The second arrest it took about 9 months before it was finally settled and I plead guilty to a reduced sentence but following the completion of my probation it would be dropped from my criminal record. Personally I don’t think you’re employer is going to go to the BON if a dui or reckless is on your record And investigate it. They just want to make sure you have your license without restrictions. Honestly a reduced sentence and even a dui isn’t going to make it so you can’t practice so don’t stress too much about it. I’m not sure how it would affect your license in Canada or traveling there or if your arrest was in Canada. But I had no issues traveling there with my sketchy driving record.

Definitely not the highest pbt but not the lowest. I would honestly go into this situation with the expectation that it’s not going to get dropped completely. I had one of my charges reduced and another eventually dropped but I had to jump through a lot of hoops and the circumstances of that arrest were atypical. I had the option when I was arrested for the first time for the same thing of getting it reduced to a reckless driving or an OWVI, which is visually impaired. I’m not saying that this will occur in your situation but I don’t see why you wouldn’t Be given the option to get this Charge reduced to a lesser offense. I would find a lawyer that can make this happen. Definitely choose the reckless driving option if given this. A reckless is more points on your license but worth it versus having a visually impaired on there. Also, make sure it isn’t just reduced on your criminal record, but your DRIVING RECORD as well. Personally, I don’t think that this will get dropped completely so don’t get bummed if it doesn’t. Having a DUI reduced is a huge success, at least in my book, and having one completely dropped is pretty rare. Not saying it couldn’t happen but it’s doubtful. But don't be discouraged if it’s not dropped. Having a reckless driving on your record or even a dui isn’t going to hold you back professionally. I have friends and friends of friends that got charged with a DUI and weren’t able to get it reduced at all and pled guilty to a DUI. I see what you’re saying about your employer doing a background check. I would honestly stay put where you’re at and extend your contract until this gets figured out. I’m not telling you to do this, but whenever I applied for a job and the interviewer asked questions about my “reckless driving” on my application or background check (if they even cared) I just told them I was going double the speed limit, or tried to race a cop. Which sounds a lot better than “it was actually a dui that got reduced”.

For NortherTravelingNurse, I cannot speak to travel nursing. I haven’t gotten my compact nursing license or applied for my CA license. I’m currently license in 3 states with one of them being a compact state and have had no issues really getting my license. I haven’t applied for my compact license since I don’t need it at this time. I just state on my application what appears on my fbi criminal record and don’t go into detail or mention my other run ins with law enforcement, and have had no issues since I started practicing as a nurse. It does take a little longer for me to get my license since I have to send in paperwork regarding my arrest that appears on my fbi criminal record. Do you know what they’re investigating? Is there a possibility that this charge might get dropped? I would just stay put where you’re at. You don’t need to keep applying to other states and have them dig up this incident. I originally got my license in one state, but when I attempted to get my license in LA they were going to deny me so I withdrew my application so I didn’t have to state why my application got denied. However, my situation was different as I had two recent arrests at the time and one charge I made the mistake of telling them about even though it was dropped from my criminal record. I doubt this would happen to you, but Personally I would just extend the contract where you’re at now and not go through the stress of applying for another state license with this charge pending. I hope this helps.

I was in that same spot. I know the feeling but I promise it gets better. It ended up being OK but I had to jump through a lot of hoops. I got a feeling it’ll be the same in your situation. A nursing buddy of mine is a violent felon and still has his nursing license although it’s restricted. He spent 3 months in jail, fought for his license, explained the situation regarding his arrest to the BON and was able to keep his license still although restricted and had to leave his hospital position. I’m not saying this situation is equal to yours but there are ways to keep your license. I was able to get both my arrests dropped/reduced to lesser charges. I’m not sure if it’s the same in all areas and the courts will take into consideration how much you blew. However there were individuals I went to court ordered classes with during my run ins that blew three times the legal limit and were able to get the charge reduced to an impaired or reckless. I’m not saying all states and counties are the same but I feel like you’re on the right path getting a good attorney that’ll fight for you. Attend AA meeting and record that as well. It might be an inconvenience but it’ll look good when you go to court.

I don’t know the circumstances surrounding your arrest and hopefully I’m offering good advice. In my situation what benefited me a lot was being able to get the charges dropped to a lesser offense. Which can definitely happen. I had to jump through a lot of hoops. I remember going to meetings with people who got super DUIs (Double the fines and jail time) and got it reduced to lesser offenses like impaired driving or reckless driving so I would find an attorney or some representation that can make that happen. Easier said than done but keep your head up and just remember you can still keep your license, practice, and graduate but you might have to jump through some hoops in order to do so.

Beythankful RN, I’ve been there. I would fight nail and teeth to get this new charged reduced. Not saying this for your nursing license but in general it’ll look a lot nicer getting that charged reduced. I would get a good attorney. Look at reviews online, through work of mouth, family, etc. Get someone good, and in the county or area where you got charged so they’re familiar with the area and might know the judge or whoever and can work a deal out. It’s going to be kinda pricy but I would definitely spend the extra buck and find a good dui attorney. Look up the driving laws in your state. I was able to get mine reduced to a careless driving which is not a misdemeanor. But the original charge for my offense is still on my driving record just not my criminal record. Contact an attorney that deals with RN licensing as well. Quit drinking and start going to AA meetings and get documentation that your going so you can show the judge that and that you’re serious about changing your ways when you come to court. Even if you don’t wanna go or think those meetings are a waste of time it’ll look good none the less. I’m not sure if you had to do that previously. Was your prions offense in ‘08 reduced to lesser charge?

What I would do is wait until this DUI gets dropped before applying for your CA license. Did you plead guilty to a DUI or are you pending a court date? I’m pretty sure you would have to notify CA of the arrest. At least that’s my speculation. If you have an attorney in your DUI case I would ask him/her. Honestly if you’re currently working and have your license I wouldn’t risk applying for another state until your DUI gets settled and dropped to a lesser charge. When you go to apply for other state nursing licenses there’s always a section that says “has your licenses ever been revoked or denied” on the application. You don’t want to have to check yes next to that box. If you already applied to CA I would maybe consider withdrawing your application. If you’re dead set on going to CA, have a job lined up, bought a house, moved your stuff out there, I would try to work with the CA BON about getting your license and let them know of the arrest. If not, I don’t think it’s worth the headache and I would consider withdrawing your application and work out east for a little longer until it gets settled.

Congrats dogdadthennurse! That’s awesome!

Hi NorthernTravelingNurse. Glad you found this thread too. Are you traveling in CA? From what I’ve read California is pretty strict when it come to DUIs. I could be wrong, but I would maybe call the CA BON and see what they recommend. I’ve not sure in regards to compact state licenses and how a DUI will effect it. If this is your first arrest and charge you should be able to get this dropped to a lesser charge. At least I did. I wouldn’t sweat it too much. You’ll still be able to practice and work as a nurse just this might prolong your licensing or hold it up a little.

I honestly wouldn’t even both mentioning it if it doesn’t pop up on your fbi background check. But LubbDubb is correct some state applications say to submit expunged records but how will the BON know about it if it doesn’t show up on your background check and you don’t list it on your application? So I wouldn’t waste the time, energy or resources mentioning it and it possibly delaying your application. Even if you did or wanted to mention it on your application for whatever reason, it doesn’t sound drug or alcohol related so I would believe you would be OK. However I never worked for the BON or anything so I can’t say with complete certainty that if you did mention it how they would react, but this sounds like pretty minor offenses and being expunged looks good too. Bottom line if it doesn’t appear on your record I wouldn’t even bring it up. Do a state background check as well bc some states require this in addition to the Livescan fbi background check and make sure it doesn’t pop up on that. It shouldn’t but I would do a state background check as well if NM requires that. Best of luck!

Nope, I wouldn’t even disclose it. Don’t mention it. Doesn’t appear on your FBI background check; won’t appear on their check.

Hello, glad to see this thread still going. In response to Rachel North, I feel like you should be completely fine. Especially if you got it dropped to a reckless driving. I would look at the application. If it says you have to submit the arrest records and court documents it’ll show that you were arrested originally for a DUI/OWI. So be honest with them. I would also recommend doing a background check on yourself to make sure it was reduced on your criminal record. Also call the Secretary of State or DMV to make sure it was reduced in your driving record.

Hi Arieg94, I'm sorry I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to any charges in the military. My past experience with the Louisiana BON is that they are super strict. However, it sounds like your charge/infraction wasn't drug or alcohol related. So the BON might look at that case differently. I don't have any experience with the Chamberlain school of nursing. However, I would email the Louisiana BON or call them and see what they say. Follow up with Chamberlains school of nursing as well. If you know this charge shouldn't be on your record, meaning it was dismissed or dropped, I would follow up with whomever at the military. Like I said above I had a charge still appear on my record that was supposed to be taken off. I called the FBI, spoke with someone about how it was dropped according to court documentation, they saw that it was supposed to be dropped, and 2 weeks later it wasn't on my record. So I don't mention that incident except in these forums lol. Also, there are less strict states where you can practice as well. I'm sorry if I wasn't more assistance.

I agree with RN issues that's some useful info from someone who experienced it first hand. It's good that you're not in the nursing program when this happened, which is what happened with me. I would talk with the nursing program and maybe message the Texas Board of Nursing and see what they say regarding your criminal record.