While you may be in the career of taking care of other people, you’re still a human and sometimes humans make mistakes. There may be a time when the worst happens and you find yourself pulled over by the police after you’ve had a few drinks.
One of the first things that will be on your mind is how it’ll affect your nursing license. Will you face further disciplinary measures? Worst case scenario, can you lose your job?
You should report it to the Nursing Board
If you’ve been convicted of a DUI in California, you should report it to the Nursing Board – even if it’s a misdemeanor offense. They will need to know about any penalties you receive including driving license suspension, jail time and fines.
The California Nursing Board will then carry out an investigation and may decide to take action of its own if it sees fit to do so.
The possible actions that the Nursing Board can take are as follows:
- It can decide that it doesn’t need to take any further action at all
- It can put you on probation. This means you’ll be required to have close supervision for a period that has been determined by the board and can range from a few months to several years
- Your license can be suspended. This usually happens in cases where the offense is particularly serious or suggests an underlying pattern of behavior
- The Board can revoke your license. In the most serious of cases, your license can be revoked. This may happen where you have multiple convictions for the same thing or there are significant aggravating factors.
If you’re facing a DUI conviction and are worried about the next steps you should take, it’s a good idea to seek some legal assistance. You can make sure your career is protected and have help with the reporting process.
