Being charged with a DUI can be life-changing for anyone, but it is especially serious for nurses who face not only legal consequences such as fines, jail time, license suspension or revocation, court costs and mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs. Additionally, a conviction could negatively affect a nurse’s professional reputation and may even impact personal relationships and social standing.Read more : read here for more info
From RN to Probation: Navigating the Consequences of a DUI for Nurses
In addition to the standard legal penalties, a nurse who is convicted of a DUI may also face discipline from their state nursing board. This is because a DUI can be viewed as a violation of the code of conduct for nurses, depending on the circumstances, whether there was any injury or damage and prior record. Nursing boards are concerned about the safety of their patients, so they will take any misconduct seriously. They may evaluate the circumstances, the nurse’s past record, a statement from the nurse and any other related factors to determine whether the nurse poses a risk to public safety and should continue working in the nursing profession.
The loss of a driver’s license can also impact the ability to get to work, which will cause further concern from employers and the nursing board. It is important to check your employment contract to see if you are required to report an arrest or conviction. If your employer finds out about your DUI, they may choose to discipline, suspend or terminate you. In addition, some medical facilities are regulated by the state and cannot hire nurses who have DUIs on their record.