CaliRN1

Fight!

I want to share my story with the CA BRN. I was denied my license mid November 2015. I have two dismissed DUI convictions from when I was a kid - before 21 - over 13 years ago. I was an honors student in both my bachelors and masters programs. I disclosed everything to the board when I applied, including an addiction evaluation done by someone at OHS for $200. I wound up hiring a really good attorney after my denial. Since both of my convictions were dismissed, I was able to argue they unlawfully denied me since AB 2396 was implemented. This states that any licensing agency under consumer affairs cannot deny a license based solely on a prior conviction, if it's been dismissed or expunged. After we sent the appeal, I received an insane stipulated agreement. I set up to fight this. We had an administrative court date set and also brought another lawsuit against the board. At this point I had an addiction evaluation done by an MD specialist (this ran around 4K), as well as several professors, and nursing school friends lined up as character witnesses. A few weeks before the hearing, the board dropped the case and issued me an unrestricted license with a public letter of reprimand. This letter states they denied me, why they denied me, why they issued me an unrestricted license, w/a blip stating what I did wrong in the past etc. It's a slap on the wrist. After three years, this letter comes off my license and it can never be found again. I feel very lucky this all worked out, however the lawyer was very expensive and it was an emotionally draining process. To be completely frank, if I would have realized I would go through all of this, I would have picked another profession as saved the few years this process shaved off of my life. However, I do love nursing and am very happy it all worked out. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.