Public Urination! License Renew

[male_murse]

Ok so this year, I was charged with public urination. I was out with my friends and left the club at 1:30 am, the bouncer wouldn't let me back in the club, and I made the very poor choice of urinating by the dumpster. I was NOT DRUNK or anything, I just really had to go. Unfortunately, I was ticketed by the cop for "disorderly conduct". I was never arrested nor convicted (according to my lawyer) but I was "charged" with disorderly conduct. I saw a lawyer and the case was dismissed with a 24-hour probation which was over on oct 10. I applied for a renewal via paper application which I turned in on nov 4. I have not heard from the boards and it's getting me worried. Moreover, I also included a warrant for not paying a speeding ticket and failing to appear on court last year (paid the warrant and all my traffic tickets). I have a clean record and never been arrested. Will I get a disciplinary action or suspension for this?

My lawyer is confident that I should not worry and just disclose this to the board. It's really embarrassing to even write the scenario to them. What do you guys think?

[Chadnurse]

Just do what your lawyers says. Best of luck

[male_murse]

Thanks :)

[Libby1987]

Paper renewals are taking over 6 weeks in California. We kept trying to confirm one of our nurse's license and there was no way until it final,y posted as active. It took 7 weeks and this was 2 mos ago.

I don't know your location bit I'd imagine paper applications would be prolonged everywhere.

(I can't believe that in itself is a crime, I've had to pull over myself when a bathroom was too far, it was just plain out of desperation, not indecency).

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to appropriate forum.

[cyc0sys]

This just sounds like a hot mess of bad life decisions. Time to put the brakes, do some self reflections, and life prioritization. I know this is an anonymous forum but I'd keep the legal details of the case between you and the lawyer. I'd also probably take the rest to the grave.

[Username invalid, RN]

Cyc0sys, is it really that severe to you? Sure, I don't go clubbing & I don't speed, myself, so maybe you & I have that in common. But, what of it? We both pee, too. We just haven't been caught in that desperate situation. As far as OP's ticket: that offense has been paid for, and it is not work related, so it isn't relevant to OP's license. OP doesn't need a reality check- you're the one with the response that is crotchety and disproportionate. Telling someone their life "is a hot mess of bad decisions" isn't going to make them do a 180 for you.

My guess is that the paperwork is backlogged, as another commenter suggested.

[SgtSkeletonRN]

I agree with the above posters, just follow your lawyer's instructions. There are far worse things to report to the Board, and public urination barely scratches the surface in being "unsafe to practice".

[RN4vets]

Having served as a commissioned LEO, I can assure you that you indeed were "arrested" by means of the "ticket" you were issued. In law enforcement terms (which your attorney should have explained!), you received a Summons to Appear, which is a non-physical (you didn't get cuffed and jailed) form of an arrest. Therefore, you can no longer (forevermore) say that you have "never been arrested" because you have, regardless of whether you actually spent any time in custody.

As for the shyness factor in reporting any offenses to your Nursing Board, they are primarily interested in any elements of your behavior that may have violated their Nurse Practice Act. You may find yourself placed under an administrative investigation to determine if any such violations occurred. If they do so, you will be responsible for paying any expenses, such as drug testing, fingerprinting and a background check.

The board may or may not choose to launch this procedure, but they will certainly review all of the circumstances. These people are mature, educated health professionals who are most likely not easily titillated by your situation. If they ask you any questions, you respond honestly and completely. They will not appreciate you making any attempts to sugar-coat your actions.

As for any disciplinary actions, it all depends on their opinion of whether any of your behavior rises to the level of something that violates your Nurse Practice Act.

[Marco Sosa]

On 11/28/2016 at 8:44 AM, RN4vets said:

Having served as a commissioned LEO, I can assure you that you indeed were "arrested" by means of the "ticket" you were issued. In law enforcement terms (which your attorney should have explained!), you received a Summons to Appear, which is a non-physical (you didn't get cuffed and jailed) form of an arrest. Therefore, you can no longer (forevermore) say that you have "never been arrested" because you have, regardless of whether you actually spent any time in custody.

As for the shyness factor in reporting any offenses to your Nursing Board, they are primarily interested in any elements of your behavior that may have violated their Nurse Practice Act. You may find yourself placed under an administrative investigation to determine if any such violations occurred. If they do so, you will be responsible for paying any expenses, such as drug testing, fingerprinting and a background check.

The board may or may not choose to launch this procedure, but they will certainly review all of the circumstances. These people are mature, educated health professionals who are most likely not easily titillated by your situation. If they ask you any questions, you respond honestly and completely. They will not appreciate you making any attempts to sugar-coat your actions.

As for any disciplinary actions, it all depends on their opinion of whether any of your behavior rises to the level of something that violates your Nurse Practice Act.

I passed my LVN nclex but it's on hold pending documents of arrest/ticket received 6yrs ago. I had completely forgotten about the incident. Was not purposely trying to ommit this embarrassing Act. Should I be worried. I am.