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Can I be a licensed nurse with a prior DWI
Anonymous2 views4 answers
I was charged with a 3rd degree DWI and met all required steps BEFORE my court date. Following a year of probation (completed a year ago) the charge was dropped to a 4th degree.
Will I be able to get a license still for nursing? Would I need to disclose the end result of 4th degree or that I was also charged with the 3rd degree.
Check with an attorney in MN who specializes in professional licenses. In PA this would not be an absolute bar to obtaining or retaining your license. I recommend working with a licensing attorney before pleading to any criminal charges when you have a professional license.
In addition to Mr. McGuire's advice, you could also contact the Minnesota Board of Nursing and ask them. You would not have to disclose your name but rather just make a general inquiry.
As the first Minnesota DWI /Criminal Defense Atty. to answer this question, and also one who has handled professional licensing issues, I can tell you that having a DWI conviction, BY ITSELF, is definitely not a bar to getting a Nursing license in Minnesota. However, they will ask you if you have ever been convicted of a Felony or a Misdemeanor (4th Degree DWI is a Misdemeanor) or a Gross Misdemeanor (3rd Degree or higher DWI). They may also ask if you have ever been CHARGED with a Felony or either a Gross Misd. or Misd. They may also ask if you have been arrested, charged, or convicted of any alcohol- or drug-related offenses, and whether you have ever been treated for chemical dependency. As long as you answer these questions truthfully and dhow that you got a chem. dependency assessment at the time of your offense and followed the Recommendations, then you should be fine. Feel free to call us for a free consultation, www.dwi-legal.com --offices in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
