RN Prescription Drug Dui California

[Californiaornurse89]

So I have been a registered nurse in California for eight years, in August 2020, I was pulled over and had nothing in my system other than a prescription medication I had been provided for anxiety during a very hard time in my life that included losing my father having a miscarriage having my marriage dissolve and a pretty horrific car accident all within about five months of each other. I hired a lawyer and have been fighting this for the last two years. Today I was sentenced with a DUI. I am trying to figure out the best course of action to take next to preserve my are in license and to get out of this as unscathed as possible. I know that I have to submit a written statement to the board within the next 30 days. However my concern is whether or not I need to hire a representative to deal with the board from this point on to try to get me the most lenient sentence possible. I am also being told that I will most likely have to be randomly drug tested for the next three years. My big concern about that is now that I clearly do not take any prescription narcotics, nor do I drink., However I do utilize marijuana to help me sleep at night which  I obviously do not utilize during any type of working hours. I am wanting to know if that will be some thing that I will need to stop as well even with a written recommendation from a doctor.  I am also wondering if it is worth it to spend another five to $7000 on a representative to handle the board. I am also wanting to know what typically happens in the workplace, and if anybody out there has been through something like this before. I do not have any legal issues other than less isolated incident. If there is anyone out there who is a registered nurse that has been through something like this and could give me some insight on the best course of action to take from here I would really appreciate it. I do not have much of a support system, and I completely support my entire livelihood on my own with this nursing job as I’m sure many other people do, however this is my only source of income and I need to do what I can to preserve it. #dui #nurse #operatingroomnurse #duihelp #brn 

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

California's diversion program is pretty punative. If you go to the  board on your own you will likely be pushrd into a one-size-fits all progran that includes, in-patient treatment, regular visits to a psychiatrist, Random UDS for anywhere from 3 to 5 years. I was in the program almost 20 years ago and back then it cost me about $45,000.00. With inflation its probably much more. I would most def hire an attorney familiar with professional licsensing issues you can start with a free consult from a nurse attorney,   The American Association of Nurse Attorneys is a good place to start . www.taana.org.

If you are trying to get leincy from the BON you are in for a fight so don't go before the BON or sign anything without it being reviewed by an attorney.