recovering alcholic - need support

[jstewart3]

I have been sober for almost 18 years. Very active in the program, sponsoring, etc.

I graduated from nursing school this past May. Started work in a high stress area and launched my second child to college...also suffered a significant surgery during my last year of nursing school and have had to have much physical therapy, etc. In other words alot of stess in my life.

i started taking prescribed sleeping pills. Sometimes I would only sleep 4 hours a night..

Anayway, I went to MD on Wed and he prescribed a controlled release version of ambien as he thought it would help. On thanksgiving night I drove to a friends house. Was completely fine. Driving home, I went into a black out - had not taken the prescribed medication since 2:30 the AM. I got into an accident and was taken to jail for "DUi" - I have vague recollection of most of it. I have never been in any trouble in my life. I am devestated. I am meeting with an attorney tomorrow. It has beeen a long hard week-end. My family has been incredible and supportive. I am so worried about my job. Does anyone have any experience, strength or hope regarding a DUI and their job? I am praying and trying not to project, but I don't know what most hospital's views are on nurses with a DUI - if that's how it remains - I had them do a blood test on me, so it would show I didn;t have anything in my system....THis is a nightmare.. so, worst case scenario is i am charged with driving under the influence (even if they are prescribed RX, it is still illegal according to one of my attorney friends) hopefully, it will be dismissed?!?

Anyway, thanks for listening and I would appreciate anyone's experience and prayers with this matter.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Good luck to you. I know here in Florida, if the DUI was off the job, and no way affects your performance as a nurse, the BON need not be involved. However, some employers might have different policies.

Hang in there. I hope it all works out for you!

[morte, LPN, LVN]

i am concerned about you, in the respect of what caused your "black out"?

and i would think the DUI was routine for the police, d/t a Holiday.....glad you had blood drawn......

thought a little more, are you sure that you had a black out, or do you have retrogressive amnesia from the accident?....were there witnesses to the accident? or was it simply "assumed" that you blacked out, d/t no evendence of other involvement?......hmmmm

[Magsulfate, BSN, RN]

Make sure that you fight this DUI all the way. Don't let that be on your record. I'm not sure what state you're in, but in Texas if they run your background check when you're renewing your nursing license, they will find your DUI. Then they will make you go through TPAPN or EEP.

The best advice I can give is to fight the DUI. As far as telling your manager, do NOT.

[myownworstenemy]

I agree with easttexasnurse - the same thing would happen to you here in PA (BON involvement and alternative program) with a DUI on your record. I would also think that if the blood test results are o.k. they could not proceed with the DUI. Good Luck!

[sxygmini]

I have had the same situation happen to me and I just wanted to know what the outcome of yours was. I just heard from the board about voluntarily entering a diversion program. I was curious is you pursued that route/how have you managed??