Problems with rotations or residencies because of past DUI

[legend]

I'm thinking about med school, but I have a DUI in my past. I was wondering if anyone here has been convicted of a DUI and going to med school. What kind of problems would i be facing when rotations / residency / licensing comes around.

[ERNEST714]

A first-time DUI, (or, in some states, "DWI" -- short for "driving while intoxicated") is normally charged as a misdemeanor, not a felony. But if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving, some states will raise the charge to a felony

If you are a convicted felon, you will have problems getting a medical license.

[rokshana]

A first-time DUI, (or, in some states, "DWI" -- short for "driving while intoxicated") is normally charged as a misdemeanor, not a felony. But if someone was injured as a result of the drunken driving, some states will raise the charge to a felony

If you are a convicted felon, you will have problems getting a medical license.

actually DWI is Driving While Impaired, which can be given for not just alcohol or drug intoxication, but anything that IMPAIRS driving ability- lack of sleep for example. Its why a DWI is a harsher penalty than DUI (since Influence tends to mean intoxication (I'm from a state where DUIs were changed to DWI many years ago).

[ERNEST714]

The specific criminal offense may be called, depending on the jurisdiction, driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving while impaired (also DWI), operating while intoxicated (OWI), operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OMVI), driving under the influence [of alcohol or other drugs] (DUI), driving under the combined influence of alcohol and/or other drugs or drunk in charge [of a vehicle]. Such laws may also apply to boating, or piloting aircraft.
But the bottom line to this is if the charge is a FELONY which will definitely affect licensing and for that reason I suggest the original poster get some competent legal advice in his home state for his situation.

[legend]

The offense was a misdemeanor and it was a one time offense (alchohol only). The reason why I am concerned is that some people were kicked out of nursing school after recieving a dui cause hospitals wont accept people with this offense, and thus can't do clinicals. Are there ways around this? anyone know first hand or have a dui and in medical school or doing residency?

[ERNEST714]

I have known physicians who had DUI and went on to license and residency. However, my advice to you would be to contact the State Licensing Board where you think you would like to train and practice and get the direct, valid information from those who really know. Don't rely on information you might obtain from chat boards such as this for something so important in your future. Best wishes and I am confident in the end you will be able to proceed as you desire.

[legend]

thank you for the response, i will do more research. I am just afraid of making a commitment and then something like a dui would stop be from being a doctor

[HeroLike]

i got a DUI, but i took the ARD program. they expunged my criminal record after the program was completed. do they not have a similar program in your area ? look into it.

[ejmed]

I'm worried about the same thing. I was arrested just after turning 18 for a DWI...mainly because there is a zero-tolerance policy for those under 21 in the state of NJ. Though it cost me thousands of dollars (which I paid with no help from my parents) and my self-esteem, I have atoned for my lack of judgement. Thirteen years later, I am applying to medical school, and I still feel guilty (especially having worked on a trauma surgery team), but my sins are long in the past. I am worried that given my spotty past, my stellar academic records (combined with my long history of voluntary community service) will not make up for my past. As strict as NJ is, should I still admit to my past stupidity?

[Tipton]

ABSOLUTELY! Any school which finds out you have withheld information is likely to either 1) cancel your application if you have not yet been admitted or 2) dismiss you if you have been admitted. Full disclosure is always the best policy.