I completed nursing school and I'm on probation for a DUI, will this stop me from becoming a nurse?

One of the best careers is nursing, especially here in the Fresno area.  In the Central Valley a nursing career can provide an excellent income and favorable working atmosphere for many motivated and intelligent people.  It isn't easy to even be accepted to nursing school, much less pass the exams and receive a nursing license from the State of California.  There are numerous medical facilities and hospitals in close proximity to Fresno, Madera, Hanford, and Visalia.

Will a DUI keep me from Being an LVN?

A Licensed Vocational Nurse, or LVN license can help provide these career opportunities to motivated and intelligent people.  The licensing program, which is the National Council Licensure Examination, also known as the NCLEX-PN is a challenging process.  However, imagine successfully completing all the required education and tests, then finding out you have been denied.

In an instand, your life dream is turned upside down because you are arrested for a DUI while attempted to become licensed nurse and practice in your chosen field.

In Fresno a DUI that occurs in 2014, and leads to a conviction in 2015 will likely, but not necessarily, result in three years of probation, while up to five years is possible.  Even if you complete your DUI Classes and Adult Offender Work Program (AOWP), this will result in probation into 2018!

If for instance you finish school, pass all required exams, and send in all the necessary documentation, from your DUI, then find out you have been denied an LVN license because of your DUI conviction!  What can you do?

Denied and LVN License! What now? What can I do?

The State Board may want proof that you are rehabilitated.  You have already satisfied part of what they want, you have paid your fines, completed your DUI classes, and finished your AOWP without any violations of probation.  This is a good start, but there is more that you can do to help yourself obtain your goals.

There are other steps that can be taken.  For instance, you could consult with a Fresno Criminal Defense Attorney who understands DUI's and DUI Law.  The goal of a knowledgeable attorney would likely be to try and terminate probation early.  This would likely include showing  the reasons you should have you probation terminated, in this case to assist with professional licensure to help you obtain career goals and be a positive, productive member of society.   Another step, which may occur simultaneously would be to petition the court to Dismiss you conviction per PC 1203.4.  Many state licensing boards view these steps as evidence of rehabilitation.

Nurses may also be randomly tested, and as part of licensing or terms of employment nurses may be tested.  This is in part due their access to drugs, stresses of employment conditions, and the incredibly sensitive nature of their work.

I also recommend keep several certified copies of all court paperwork showing you have satisfied terms of probation, paid all necessary fines, completed you AOWP, and if you have probation terminated early and recieve a 1203.4 dismissal, make sure to keep certified copies to provide future employers and licensing.  Also check to make sure all the information on the paperwork is completed properly.  A simple error on the part of the clerk checking the wrong box can make all the difference in the world.  

For instance, one individual seeking a professional license from the State of California was hindered due to the clerk checking the "Completed, Unsatisfactory" box on the judicial form rather than the "Completed, Satisfactory" box.  This was especially troublesome when seeking state licensure, in part because it was so obscure.  The individual had to track down the error, have it changed, then re-submit the new and corrected form to the moral character investigator.  It contributed to a lengthy delay in licensing and unnecessary interruption to a young professionals life. Don't let a simple human mistake on paperwork go uncorrected, as it may be more difficulty a time passes.

Call Fresno, Ca Criminal Defense and DUI Attorney Jonathan Rooker for help today.

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