Some nurses drive while on the clock for their employers. They may travel to people’s homes to provide on-site care. In those cases, major blemishes on their driving record could affect their employment.
Driving under the influence (DUI) charges are among the most serious traffic violations. Many people accused of DUI offenses choose to plead guilty instead of taking their cases to trial. They want to avoid public embarrassment, minimize how much work they miss for a trial and potentially negotiate a plea bargain to limit the penalties imposed.
Can a DUI conviction affect a nurse if their job does not require that they travel to the homes of patients or different medical facilities?
DUIs can trigger disciplinary reviews
The California Board of Registered Nursing maintains a strict standard for nurses both on the job and in general. People must pass a background check to obtain a nursing license, and they must avoid major criminal offenses to keep that license.
The California Board of Registered Nursing requires that nurses disclose any criminal convictions when they apply to renew their licenses. A single DUI can be enough to put a nurse’s license at risk, regardless of whether or not their job requires driving.
Substance abuse can potentially affect the care they provide patients and can also affect the reputation of their employer or nurses in general. Those accused of a DUI or facing a licensing hearing after entering a guilty plea may need help protecting their careers.
Working with an attorney who specializes in nursing license defense can help medical professionals avoid career-ending consequences over legal matters that do not directly connect to their work. Even a DUI that occurs during vacation can otherwise be enough to cost a nurse their license.
