RN student DUI

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Currently second year nursing student, pulled over during my first year of the program (There is not a day I don't regret it). Will have court this month. Can anyone have any advice/suggestions? Have an attorney. I am thinking of obtaining a license attorney for my application to take my boards in CA (do not want to go out of state). I am overall terrified.

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Currently second year nursing student, pulled over during my first year of the program (There is not a day I don't regret it). Will have court this month. Can anyone have any advice/suggestions? Have an attorney. I am thinking of obtaining a license attorney for my application to take my boards in CA (do not want to go out of state). I am overall terrified.

I would be terrified, too. There are some personal stories on this section of the site:

https://allnurses.com/nursing-licensure-criminal/

California is known to be pretty tough. I would definitely consult with a lawyer who specializes in BON issues.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nursing with a Criminal History forum

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No suggestions or advice here, just that I agree with Sour Lemon.... Just wanted to wish you luck. Try to stay positive.

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Currently second year nursing student, pulled over during my first year of the program (There is not a day I don't regret it). Will have court this month. Can anyone have any advice/suggestions? Have an attorney. I am thinking of obtaining a license attorney for my application to take my boards in CA (do not want to go out of state). I am overall terrified.

Nobody ever has a crystal ball in these situations, but I can tell you what most places will be pleased with. Accountability, go to meetings and document the meetings you go to. If you are in a program that will eventually end in licensure, the powers that be won't take the approach that after all, "he or she was just young and it was probably a one time, stupid mistake." They will say, maybe only in their heads, "damn, already a DUI! Where's this person going to be when they are 50?" I'm assuming you are young, you may not be. And if you aren't, my apologies in advance.

I have yet to see any circumstance when an adult makes the decision to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking and it's seen as a fluke. Rather, it's viewed as portend for things to come.

Be very proactive. Show them how seriously you have taken this, do everything within your power to treat this respectfully. You can get past this, but it my State it would earn you a two year minimum in monitoring.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Look hard at the costs you will be incurring even if you do manage to get past the California BON, both financially and otherwise. You will likely be required to start out on their TPAPN program (may be called something else in California), which will require a long time of random urine testing, sometimes as often as three times a week or more at $40-50 each, not covered by insurance. You will probably have an encumbered license right out of the gate that will limit your ability to find work in a market that is already known to be very tough for new grads and super saturated. You will also have to report this to your school, who will have to report it to clinical sites, who may very well refuse to host you.

It is not impossible, but you are facing an uphill battle. I am not sure, were I in your shoes, that I would not just choose a different career that doesn't involve the kinds of legal and moral stipulations that nursing does. From a pragmatic sense, it would be a wise consideration.

I do wish you all the best.

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Thank you all for the suggestions in advance, I am very remorseful. I am in my 20's and could have not chosen a worse time for my mistake. I have been managing school and will starting my last and final semester pretty soon. Right now my goals are obtain employment. I will continue to go to court as my lawyer is requesting calibration and any pertinent details that will help my case. I will keep updating.

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It depends on the case...if there was an accident involved....any children.....was it high BAC level etc ...that's what determines the outcome a fine vs probation

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No accident, no children involved. BAC was 0.11

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I am not obligated to report it to my school as this is only an arrest and I have not been convicted at the moment. I am aware of the consequences but I am close to graduating. Thank you for the advice.

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