Troublesome Life

Agnus · May 5, 2004

I am trying to got to nursing school, but I think my troublesome past may stop my dreams. I had been in college and obtained a Bachelors in Information Systems. I am working in the healthcare field now and I have been working in the healthcare field for over 10 years. I do not have alot of patient contact, but I do help the nursing out when small things are needed. I have excellent references and my grades are very good.
Now the bad part, I had been in abusive relationship from 1986-1996. During that time several things had happened and I accured some charges against me. I finally got tired and I hit back with a weapon and the tables turned on me again. It has been years since my troubles and I have built my self esteem and confidence. Now at this time in my life I would like to pursue a career in nursing.
I am very up front about my past. I have contacted several schools and spoke with an attorney at The Board of Nursing and they both stated that I may not have a problem getting into school, but my clinicals may be a problem. What can I do to prove that I am not a risk to any clinicals sites or person. I am accountable for my unfortunate past, but I do not feel I should be punished all my life. How do I get people to understand my love for nursing? Is there anyway to get clinical sites to understand and prove myself to them?
Is there someone out there that can help me pursue my dreams or give me advice on what to do next.
Thank you,
Desperately seeking

You did not say if there was a conviction only charges. Charges and convictions are not the same thing. A charge is only an accusation. Apply to school. Do not reveal more than necessary. However, do not lie. There is a difference.

Your concern should not be acceptance into school but acceptance by the BON.

If the BON will issue a licences to you with your past that is what counts.

Most schools do not do back ground checks. And I know of no clinical site that does them. Consider you go to many clinical sites. You are there as a guest by way of your school. IT is up to the school to determine its students are safe and to supervise their students.

Do not advertise your background. IT sounds like you might be inclined to talk to anyone about this. DO not. Becase it is true does not mean you must tell every one. Just don't lie about it.

purplemania, BSN, RN · May 5, 2004

I don't know about your state, but Texas mandates fingerprinting for all applicants. They run it through the FBI nationial data base. Getting into school and even graduating will not guarantee you the ability to be licensed. I would get in touch with the state board of nursing and find out what needs to be done. If you don't have their website go to:

http://www.ncsbn.org

Good luck

aanoor · May 5, 2004

Thanks for responding. In Pennsylvania there is no fingerprinting, but we are required a criminal background check. I think if I am accepted in school, I will do my best to go to the BON to plead my case to get licensed.

I don't know about your state, but Texas mandates fingerprinting for all applicants. They run it through the FBI nationial data base. Getting into school and even graduating will not guarantee you the ability to be licensed. I would get in touch with the state board of nursing and find out what needs to be done. If you don't have their website go to:
www.ncsbn.org
Good luck

aanoor · May 5, 2004

All the schools in Pennsylvania does background checks. I feel I have to talk about my pass, because I do not want it to be discovered later. I am afraid that I may not be accepted by the schools, clinical sites and the BON. Although, I have contacted the BON nursing and schools. I just would like to know what to do and if there is someway that a person can be forgiven for things that happened so long ago. Also, I had been convicted and I am still fighting to get some help. I do not think a person should be punished all their lives for things that happened sometime ago, especially it a person has made a positive changes.

You did not say if there was a conviction only charges. Charges and convictions are not the same thing. A charge is only an accusation. Apply to school. Do not reveal more than necessary. However, do not lie. There is a difference.
Your concern should not be acceptance into school but acceptance by the BON.
If the BON will issue a licences to you with your past that is what counts.
Most schools do not do back ground checks. And I know of no clinical site that does them. Consider you go to many clinical sites. You are there as a guest by way of your school. IT is up to the school to determine its students are safe and to supervise their students.
Do not advertise your background. IT sounds like you might be inclined to talk to anyone about this. DO not. Becase it is true does not mean you must tell every one. Just don't lie about it.

Agnus · May 5, 2004

There are two things I see that you can do. First be able to demonstrate that you have corrected this short comming what ever it might be (such as prone to violent reactions) Be able to show what steps you have taken and your sucess in taking them. Find and attorney who is Knowlegable and accustomed to arguring before the BON. Perferablely a nurse attorney.

But I think I would emphasize be able to show how the behavior cannot possibly happen in a work setting and the reason it cannot happen.

For example have you gone though estensive counseling and life revision? This is only an example as is the reference to violence, since I do not know your particular story.