Surrendering an AK license or not?

[backtoCO]

I'm a critical care travel RN with 8 years experience. I work in Cath Lab, ICU, PACU, ect... very diverse and profesional.

I started traveling to AK in 2011. 3 years after obtaining my license in the state of Alaska, the state board came after me for not reporting a DUI from 1999 when I was 19. Truthfully I just forgot and really didnt know I had to report it. From what I remember, the DA in 99 told me that after 3 years the incedent would be removed from my record, which unfortunately is not true.

So, I complied with AK state board, AKSB. I wrote them a letter, explained that I had forgetten about the DUI and bla bla bla. In turn, they fined me 2500$ and put a Hit on my license. *** right. I've tried talking to them to resolve this situation. Basically they just want my money and could care less wether they retain RNs to work there. Why would I continue to work in a state where they harass me?

I dont know if I should pay and be done with it, which to me is morally wrong and perputuating a social stigme that its OK to take advantage of people this way. A DUI 15 years ago when I was a kid has nothing to do with my nursing career. The AKSB should be investingating drug diversions.

Surrendering my license keeps me from paying the fine, but I'll never be able to work in AK again. Fine, with AKSB acting like this I will never work there again anyways or reccommend anyone to obtain a license there at this point.

Thoughts, Suggestions??????? please help me.....I dont know what to do and feel backed up against a wall...

[mrsboots87]

You should probably check that if by surrendering your license, if it can affect you obtaining a license in another state. I know each state board runs its own state and can have various policy differences. But I do believe you will be asked if you have action against your license in any other states when you go to endorse in a new state. I could be wrong on that though. I am still a student and that is how it was explained to me in class. If surrendering your license in AK will not affect your ability to get a license in another state then its really up to you if you feel like relocating. This action doesn't surprise me though. The BON does a very thorough investigation and the application for license will ask if you have any convictions. There is no time limit on it. They want to know all of them. The fine is likely a punishment for in their eye "lying" to them, even if unintentionally. GL with whatever you choose.

[SionainnRN]

So you lied about having a felony, got caught and was given a very reasonable punishment. Now all you can do is blame it on the BON?? I do not understand that thinking. You are very lucky, a lot of people with DUIs aren't allowed into nursing school or allowed to take the boards. So if you had been honest from the start you might not be a nurse right now.

So what I would do is pay the fine and thank your lucky stars you still have your license. And please take a look at how you responded to this situation. Blaming everyone but you and threatening to take your license and run is a very impulsive and childish decision. It's not easy dealing with these situations, but they make us stronger in long run. Good luck.

[backtoCO]

Excuse you!!!!!!! I did not lie. I literally forgot about something from my childhood....I was 19. The conviction was actually a DWAI which is a misdemeanor. A DUI is not a felony unless you get 3 of them. How dare you call me a liar.

I forgot to report it on my application in 2011 at the age of 31. The conviction was in 1999. You do the math. Does this have anything to do with my career in nursing? I graduated in 2006 at 26. No it doesnt. The BON is there to regulate nurses in nursing not harassing profesionals for money. You havent been around long enough to know that yet. I hold a license in 13 states and have worked at 10 hospitals. No one has ever questioned me about this before. This is a simple poke for money on behalf of the AK BON.

I dont want to pay them the fine because this has nothing to do with nursing at all. They found a way to charge me money for no reason. It's frivolous at best if not malicous. I'm tired of regulating agencies taking advantage of people and getting away with it. Not only in nursing but in everything. Our society has developed a sue happy stigma where people get away with stuff like this.

So I'm not asking you to judge me, I'm asking if anyone has information about surrendering a license. I will never work in AK again because of this. I just dont want a surrendering to be bothersome in other states.

[SionainnRN]

And this may lead to you losing every license you have. If you didn't lie on your application there would be nothing for them to "come after you" about. You have lied on every single application for your nursing license and now that you've been found out by one I doubt it will take long for the others to find out.

Slinging insults at me isn't going to make your problem go away. Instead of owning up to it like an adult you're blaming everyone and everything but you. Take responsibility for your screw up and deal with the consequences.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

Sorry, age 19 is not childhood. You were not a kid either. Just pay what they want to make it go away. You were wrong in not being forthright when you made the application.

[backtoCO]

Furthermore, having a DUI does not make you a bad person....everyone does stupid things. Dont be so judgemental by accusing me of getting lucky and thanking my lucky stars. You dont know me. Everyone lives a life that you dont personally understand, and it's not any of your business!

[backtoCO]

19 is def a kid...come on now RN you know that. Forthright? Why would they even grant me a license if it was such an infringement? the BON does a background check with your original application. dont lecture me. im asking for profesional advice from non judmental RNs who are with it.

[SionainnRN]

No one has said you are a bad person. What I have said is that you are deflecting everything. You have yet to take responsibility for anything. You did not tell any board about your conviction and only getting caught now does make you very lucky. Search on this site about DUIs and you will see post after post of people who haven't been able to get into nursing school, sit for nclex, or get a job.

And 19 is an adult, in the eyes of the law and everyone else. Take responsibility for your actions already. Everyone does make mistakes, but continuing to not take responsibility and blame everyone but yourself just makes you look irresponsible.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

That red flag by your name on NURSYS will make you unemployable with every travel agency and hospital in the lower 48. No judgement. Fix this before it is too late.

[backtoCO]

Every other state already knows. I did not lie. I seriously forgot. Like I said, you don't know me. I just got a job in Oregon and it's not a problem. I know who i amand own all of myself.

[backtoCO]

There's already a "hit" as they call it. I have already got an Oregon license with all of this and three different jobs. OHSU just hired me into a perm position....so I know that this red flag doesn't make me unhirable. I'm talking about what is right and wrong. AK BON approved my license with a background check, and they also approved my renewal a year later with a background check. I truthfully didn't know I was in violation. Then years later they come at me with this. My license already has a permanent disciplinary alert on it.

So, do I pay them for theirs and my mistake, or surrender my license and walk away. I for sure will never work there again. This has been a silly nightmare for a completely frivolous reason. It's not worth it to me. Yes I made a mistake, I know that. I apologized, wrote them a letter, the investigator was all buddy buddy, ect.... They made a mistake as well. Why was my original license approved and then a year later renewed if this is such a big deal to them?