Prospective Nurse Michigan DUI

Nurses Recovery

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Hi, I am getting very concerned reading these posts and wondering if I am making a big mistake. I will be attending an accelerated BSN program next May. Two years and 79 days ago I got a DUI after a relapse. I am an alcoholic and have known that for many years. A pattern of dissatisfaction with my then career and not attending to meetings and other aspects of my recovery led to my return to alcohol and the inevitable consequences.

I know that when I apply to sit for the exam I will need to disclose this and it will be an issue but I am really concerned about the possible license restrictions etc. and not being able to get another job. I am a male in my forties and this would be a second career. I never had a problem with any other drug or other legal issues. Right now, I am just trying to maintain a record of my recovery efforts. I attend AA three times a week, have a sponsor and check in with a substance abuse counselor once a every three weeks. I have records of all of this. I have not touched alcohol since the arrest and was actually hoping to work in a field related to substance abuse. Recovery is the most important part of my life. However, I may well want to work in another area like ER and I don't want to go through all this time and expense just to get the door slammed on me. Anyone wih any ideas, stories experience?

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Hi Cdkipp,

The MI. Nurse Practice most likely addresses such a situation and should only be a download away. A little less mind numbing approach would be to share your concern with the school that has admitted you. I can promise you they have had to address those kinds of questions more often than you might think. Best of luck!

Smitty

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Thanks I looked at that and it appears it is within the BON discretion. I was wondering though what the practical reality is especially with the hiring situation.

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You might try going through the BON meeting minutes. Reference to applicants with a situation similar to yours should be pretty easy to find. You might be able to compare your case to those who have gone before you.

I still think the school that has admitted you could be your resource. Alternatively, you couldn't go wrong by speaking with a lawyer that has recent experience with the BON.

Smitty

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Hi, I am getting very concerned reading these posts and wondering if I am making a big mistake. I will be attending an accelerated BSN program next May. Two years and 79 days ago I got a DUI after a relapse. I am an alcoholic and have known that for many years. A pattern of dissatisfaction with my then career and not attending to meetings and other aspects of my recovery led to my return to alcohol and the inevitable consequences.

I know that when I apply to sit for the exam I will need to disclose this and it will be an issue but I am really concerned about the possible license restrictions etc. and not being able to get another job. I am a male in my forties and this would be a second career. I never had a problem with any other drug or other legal issues. Right now, I am just trying to maintain a record of my recovery efforts. I attend AA three times a week, have a sponsor and check in with a substance abuse counselor once a every three weeks. I have records of all of this. I have not touched alcohol since the arrest and was actually hoping to work in a field related to substance abuse. Recovery is the most important part of my life. However, I may well want to work in another area like ER and I don't want to go through all this time and expense just to get the door slammed on me. Anyone wih any ideas, stories experience?

Welcome and congrats on your recovery!! I am not familiar with the MI BON and as you may have read here, all states have their individual ways of dealing with addiction history in nurses and potential nurses. In light of your relapse, and your reason for it, it would be possible that they would be concerned about coping skills, and how you would deal with the stresses involved in nursing and the added stress of being new in nursing as well as the availability of drug ( even tho this was not your DOC, having access to drugs will be an issue)

I am guessing that they would want to monitor you, but this is only my guess based on other states,,, I would suggest calling the MI voluntary program for health professionals and asking if you can be monitored by them while a student, and in doing so, would help when applying for a license.

It would also be better to work in a safe setting such as a position in rehab, vs high risk areas like ICU, ER, and OR...

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