will dwi conviction effect my getting liscense?

Trauma Columnist · Mar 29, 2004

Talk to your state's board of nursing.

boots0890 · Mar 30, 2004

Talk to your state's board of nursing.

i have recently tried to talk to the nj state board but they tell me that they wont be able to tell me anything until i take the test and submit my case in writing to them. I really do not want to continue with this if there is no way that they will allow me to recieve my liscense. I dont know if there is someone else i can talk to. thanks for your help

Trauma Columnist · Mar 30, 2004

What about a lawyer specialing in nursing law?

lee1 · Apr 21, 2004

i have recently tried to talk to the nj state board but they tell me that they wont be able to tell me anything until i take the test and submit my case in writing to them. I really do not want to continue with this if there is no way that they will allow me to recieve my liscense. I dont know if there is someone else i can talk to. thanks for your help

I just sent in the money to renew my license. There has ALWAYS been a question on whether or not you have any DUI/DWI against your license. They can decide NOT to grant you a license on that info I am told. Contacting a lawyer would be your best bet. Teachers have the same problem.

GottaBeanRN · Apr 28, 2004

Hey,

I am in the same boat and never really thought about it until you posted this thread. Well, good news... I just talked with someone from NJ board of RN and you can still get licensed as a registerd nurse with a DWI conviction! She said when you register to take the NCLEX you have to supply them with forms stating that you paid your fines, etc.

Hope that helps you and gives you some relief! (i know I feel better)

KathyMomRN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN · May 14, 2004

I am currently enrolled in nursing school, and have recently got a dwi. I am currently doing a career change and i am very excited about my new nursing career. I was wondering if this will effect the state giving me my nursing liscense? I would appreciate any help anyone can give me. thank you

You might want to attend a Nursing Peer Support Group in your area. They probably have nurses in the group that have gone through a similar experience. You can go to the NJSNA website to get a list of meeting dates and times. I'm sure you would need a nurse attorney when dealing with the Board of Nursing, and they can give you names of nurse attorneys others have used-DON'T use just any attorney! The question of a DWI always seems to come up, and if you lie about it, it will come back to haunt you. I know someone who graduated from nursing school but lied on her application to take the boards. They somehow found out and she was not allowed to take her boards until she proved to them that she was in recovery and staying sober. The process took three years for her, but she did not have an attorney and the board took advantage of that. A nurse attorney will protect you.

Good Luck!

Blackcat99 · May 15, 2004

:) I knew an RN in Calif. who had a DUI and she was able to be an RN. However, she told me it was a hassle and she had to do a lot of extra paperwork because of it. Good luck

sayitgirl · Apr 26, 2007

I am currently enrolled in nursing school, and have recently got a dwi. I am currently doing a career change and i am very excited about my new nursing career. I was wondering if this will effect the state giving me my nursing liscense? I would appreciate any help anyone can give me. thank you

Yes it will affect you. There is a section on the license form that will ask if you have ever been arrested and you have to be honest because it will come out on the fingerprints that you have to get for the license. I would suggest that you either go to an outpatient rehab or start AA meetings. You will need to let them know that you did something about the problem that you have. I had a DWI eight years ago and I was shocked when I found out the last year I was in school filling out my license application that I would have to disclose this information to the nursing board. As long as you follow up to let them know that you have done something about the situation that it will not happen again, you will be okay.

sayitgirl · Apr 26, 2007

i have recently tried to talk to the nj state board but they tell me that they wont be able to tell me anything until i take the test and submit my case in writing to them. I really do not want to continue with this if there is no way that they will allow me to recieve my liscense. I dont know if there is someone else i can talk to. thanks for your help

The nursing board will do nothing but give you the run around on the phone...if you can get them to answer the phone...

MnemonicFanatic · May 10, 2007

I think that the Boards are more concerned if you've been arrested for felonies (and found guilty) While I wouldn't hide the fact that you have the arrest for the DWI (be honest, they'll find out later on anyway if they do a background check) Our school does a background check every semester and you have to offer up any changes. Someone in my study group has a suspended DL license, and was told as long as it wasn't a felony/felony related reason, her status wouldn't be affected.

Check with the head of the Nursing department, and see what they have to say about it. they may be able to get you an answer faster than waiting on hold for the Board to answer.

christy0813 · Jun 6, 2008

I am having a hard time with the Board of Nursing right now and have to appear for a hearing to plead my case.

Does anyone know any good nursing attorneys in the area?