Professionalism Extends Beyond the Workplace

While driving home from a party, a nurse was involved in a one-car accident. The nurse pled no contest to a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).Though the nurse was off duty and had no prior disciplinary actions, no prior DUI convictions, and no apparent alcohol abuse or dependency issues, the board of nursing (BON) determined that the DUI conviction was evidence of unprofessional conduct and placed the nurse's license on probation for 3 years. Subsequently, the BON's action was upheld by the appellate court.This article reviews the case and the legal and ethical foundations of the BON's decision.