DUI Impact on Nurses in Connecticut

Getting a DUI can affect some careers more than others.  If you are a nurse who has received a DUI, you could face difficult consequences. While not all DUI cases are the same, the Board of Registered Nursing will most likely punish you. Still, this will not happen unless they can prove that your DUI relates directly to your job performance. Understanding the DUI process and how it will affect your job can help to make the process less stressful.

Current Nurses

If you are already a nurse, you probably will not get fired as a result of a DUI. However, getting a DUI will probably cause problems for your job. Because driving records are public information, your boss will be able to see if you have been convicted of any driving related crimes. A DUI will go on your permanent driving record, meaning that current or future employers can look this information up. However, in most cases, you will not lose your nursing license as a result of a DUI. The only way that getting a DUI will get your nursing license taken away is if it is proven that the DUI is directly linked to your qualifications and your ability to perform your job.
If you are a nurse and you are facing a DUI charge, do not panic. In most cases, your nursing license will not be taken away from you. Still, you might face some consequences for the DUI. In many cases, you will have to explain your DUI to the Board of Registered Nursing. Be sure to address the Board clearly and respectfully. If you do this, you will probably be able to keep your job. If you are concerned about the affect that a DUI will have on your nursing career, you can contact Ruane Attorneys for a free consultation.

Future Nurses

If you get a DUI and you are a nurse, there is a chance that the Board of Registered Nursing will look into your case. They might ask to interview you about what happened and how you plan to fix your mistakes. You should take this evaluation seriously, because it will probably carry some weight when it comes to deciding your competency as a nurse. The Board might decide that you need counseling or could suspend your nursing license. However, the chances of terminating your job or your license as a result of a DUI are slim.
However, if you are not yet a nurse and you have received a DUI, this might affect your application and your chances of becoming a nurse. While getting a DUI does not mean that there is no way that you can become a nurse, it will certainly make the process of obtaining a nursing license more difficult. If you are worried about how the DUI will affect your future ability to start a career in nursing, you should try to get a verdict of not guilty during your court hearing. The best way to do this is by hiring a DUI lawyer. DUI lawyers have a lot of experience with cases similar to yours, and they will be able to prepare the best defense for you in court.