RN with DUI in PA Questions

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Hi,

I am the husband of an RN in PA. I am looking for some advice.

She got a Tier 1 DUI last week.

A lawyer got her into ARD for the criminal aspect - my questions are in regards to the board.

She has as of today 30 days to report the the board of nursing.

What difference does getting an additional lawyer for the board of nursing make?

It will cost a LOT of money to do so - and if the BON has a reasonable cookie cutter type of a system - how much of a help can the attorney be? Will it be the difference between 2 yrs probation and 3?

Will it affect the fine?

Or is this a case were a 1st time DUI for a nurse with 13 years of an exemplary record will get *roughly* the same sentence regardless of if a lawyer is involved?

Any additional advice is welcome.

Thank you all!

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.

The BON tends to have a cookie cutter approach to these things. I personally don't think it's necessary to get a lawyer unless she is being accused of something she didn't do or there are unusual circumstances to her case. Unfortunately, she got a DUI and will be treated like every other nurse in the system.

I'm a Nurse who got a DUI here in PA. I can't speak to if a lawyer is worth it or not as I didn't have one. If I had it to do all over again I'd retain counsel because this program stinks. I honestly have no idea if a lawyer will help but I'd give it a shot before you get sucked into this nonsense. I regret not having someone on my side because the monitoring folks and the BON damn sure ain't

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