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How to stay employed after a DUI

On Behalf of | Dec 19, 2022 | DUI Charges

A drunk driving charge may have a negative impact on your life whether or not you are actually convicted of the crime. For instance, you may lose your driver’s license if you don’t agree to a chemical test as required by California law. You may also spend the night in jail, have your car towed or face the prospect of paying court, license reinstatement and other costs.

The impact of a DUI on your nursing career

There is a chance that you will face discipline from your employer or from a state licensing agency. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may have your nursing license suspended or revoked, which might result in the loss of your job or career. Even if you are allowed to continue working as a nurse, getting a DUI is often considered to be a serious lapse in judgment. Therefore, you may have a harder time finding work or advancing with your current employer.

Strategies after getting a DUI

You may be able to keep your nursing license if you can prove that you take the situation seriously and are taking steps to prevent a future offense. For example, you may agree to give up drinking alcohol or agree to never drive after consuming it. If you received a drug DUI, it may also be helpful to commit to a stint in rehab or to refrain from driving after using a controlled substance.

It may also be possible to return to work if the charge is dropped or reduced. This may occur if there was no basis for the traffic stop that led to the charge or if there were problems with how blood or other chemical tests were conducted.

If you are charged with DUI, it doesn’t mean that you have done anything wrong. It may be possible to have the case dismissed by having evidence such as the results of a chemical test suppressed. In addition to avoiding jail time, a fine or other criminal penalties, you may be in a better position to keep your nursing license.