Do you think nurses should have to report DUI, OVI, or DWI convictions to the Nursing Board? In your state, are nurses required to report alcohol-related convictions to the State Board of Nursing?
Do you think a DUI, OVI, or DWI conviction is rationally related to the privilege to practice nursing in a particular state? Why or why not?
Are nurses with DUI, OVI, or DWI convictions more likely to cause patient harm or engage in unsafe nursing practice?
What are your thoughts?
Thank you for your comment about the felony DUI. I cannot answer your question on this blog as I am cannot provide legal advice and counseling without establishing an attorney-client relationship. This protects you and its protects me (so says my legal malpractice insurance carrier:)
You need to contact a nursing law attorney in your state. See www.taana.org for nurse attorneys around the country. Call a nurse attorney and schedule either a telephone (curb-side) appt. or an in-person appt. to further discuss your situation.
It is important that nursing students with criminal convictions especially a felony(ies) and/or misdemeanors speak with a nursing law attorney PRIOR to enrolling in nursing school and most certainly before applying for a license by examination with a particular State Nursing Board.
Posted by: LaTonia | November 15, 2010 at 07:21 AM
Hello I am a student on my way to getting my RN license. I'm still in my first year of school but I have just come to realize that the State Board of Nursing may or may not accept a student into Clinicals and or license a nurse with a Felony DUI on their record. My entire life I have had a calling to work in the Healthcare field and I am very disappointed to hear that because of a mistake that I made so long ago might have such a big affect on my life now, even while trying to turn things around and do better. So, please tell me, is there a chance that if I would finish my nursing school and receive all A's, do i have a chance of getting into clinicals with a Dui on my record??? please give me some advice..
Posted by: Brooke Barry | November 11, 2010 at 03:38 PM
It seems to me that nurses should have to report it if it affects their job or they are required to by state licensing. But, ultimately, one needs legal counsel when doing anything with legal ramifications to himself or herself.
Posted by: Sacramento DUI Lawyer | October 22, 2010 at 10:47 AM
This a great page for us to learn about drunk drivers!!!
Thanks for the help!!!!!
Posted by: ANGIE PINTO | January 21, 2010 at 12:41 PM
According to the website DUI Foundation (http://www.duifoundation.org/):
"On average, the first time drunk driving offender has driven drunk 87 times prior to being arrested."
According to Rebekka S. Palmer, Ph.D., Yale University School of Medicine, and Mary E. Larimer, Ph.D.,University of Washington: in a press release on March 26, 2007:
(http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-03/ace-mfo031907.php)
Most first-time offenders for driving while intoxicated need help for more than just alcohol
* Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a significant public-health problem in the US.
* New findings indicate that many first-time DWI offenders also have high rates of other substance-use disorders as well as other psychiatric disorders.
* Intervention programs may need to provide enhanced services to help this more severe subtype of DWI offenders.
* 42 percent of first-time DUI offenders reported a lifetime history of drug abuse or dependence
* 30 percent indicated a lifetime history of anxiety or mood disorder
Posted by: Jack Stem | March 25, 2009 at 11:04 PM
See this post by Jack Stem on his blog related to DUI/DWI/OVI convictions and nurses at
http://advocacyforimpairednurses.blogspot.com/2009/03/should-board-of-nursing-investigate.html
Posted by: latonia | March 24, 2009 at 03:21 PM
I will post the first comment. In my law practice, I see alot of cases involving RNs, LPN, and APRNs charged with DUI, OVI, or DWI (depending on the state). When a nurse as a licensed healthcare professional is charged and convicted of an DUI that person depending on the State (of course) may to answer to the State Nursing board. The criminal probation from a DUI is a walk in the park compared to the licensing Board's review, investigation, and possible monitoring. Whether you think its right or wrong, the Nursing Board is there to protect the public and some Boards inquire about DUIs and propose to take action against a license because of a DUI. I have asked my buddy, Jack Stem with Peer Advocacy for Impaired Nurses, LLC. to post something here on DUIs and Nurses.
Posted by: latonia | March 21, 2009 at 11:44 AM