[KarynicaRN]

There seems to be quite a different opinion as to what reason a criminal background check is used in the nurse assistant program in Illinois.

I have read the information about the background check from cover to cover. There is nothing that states a background check must be performed before a student goes to clinicals. It does state that the background check must accompany the request to take the state of Illinois nurse assistant test.

Does anyone know? I have read so much on this topic I am lost.

[elkpark]

I've never taught or worked in IL, so I can't speak specifically to any situation in IL, but I have taught nursing in other places and it is now pretty typical/customary that clinical facilities require nursing schools to conduct background checks on all the nursing students before the hospitals/nursing homes will allow the students to come to clinicals, so it may be the same reason in CNA programs. It may be that it's a requirement by the clinical facilities, not the state BON.

[KarynicaRN]

hi and thanks for answering. I decided to call the Illinois Department of Public Health nursing assistant program and found the information.

It's not against the law, YET, but a nurse aide doesn't need a background check done before clinicals unless specifically stated by the clinical site. The background check is done for the Illinois Nurse Aide Registry, and must be completed before sitting for the CNA exam.

[caliotter3]

For the benefit of those reading your thread, thanks for getting back with the answer.

[sosiouxme]

It's not the state Board of Registered Nursing, or even all of the clinical sites but, here in California, almost all of the community colleges are requiring "clear" background checks before clinical placement so they won't have to wheel-and-deal with a site to get someone placed who might have even a slight infraction on their record.