6 DUIs, felony child neglect and now a nursing student

[pug07]

A friend has 6 DUI convictions (3 within the last 10 yrs), felony child neglect (her husband got sole custody of their kids), and is obviously an alcoholic and bulimic. She was fired from her dietitians job at a hospital and is now in nursing school/ASN. I notified the state nursing board and the univ. and they did nothing. I informed people as I believe that she is an imminent harm to the public. It never amazes me that people like her get through, will kill someone, and all I have is that I told you so. My question is, should the nursing school not have done the background checks and/or does the state nursing board perform background checks?

[JamieLeeRN]

A friend has 6 DUI convictions (3 within the last 10 yrs), felony child neglect (her husband got sole custody of their kids), and is obviously an alcoholic and bulimic. She was fired from her dietitians job at a hospital and is now in nursing school/ASN. I notified the state nursing board and the univ. and they did nothing. I informed people as I believe that she is an imminent harm to the public. It never amazes me that people like her get through, will kill someone, and all I have is that I told you so. My question is, should the nursing school not have done the background checks and/or does the state nursing board perform background checks?

I guess her school may not do background checks, which is unfortunate, because I am pretty sure you cannot get your RN if you have a criminal history, DUIs included. I know my school did background checks, but I am not sure what state you are in...and also maybe her school isn't even accreditted, which means it won't matter even if she gets through it?? As far as the state goes, they will do a background check before they let her sit for her NCLEX, and then willl decide if she can legally sit...which it sounds like she will have gone through school for no reason...and also, with that history and being fired from a hospital job like that already, there is a good chance she won't get rehired anyway.

[pca_85]

My school actually said these words: "If you have a felony, save your money. The school will take you, but the BON will not."

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Title corrected to "nursing student".

Boards of nursing can not act until application submitted to them. Depending on the state, criminal background checks used starting the CLINCAL portion of course work. In PA, felony child neglect convicition would prevent student from clinicals involving children and youth, thusly unable to pass pediatric/ maternal child health rotations.

Encourage your friend to discuss these issues with her school + lawyer as she may be spending moneys needlessly as unable to complete program + unable to receive license.

Since you've already reported your concerns to authority, supporting friend to maintain sobriety, changing life for better or ending friendship totally are your two choices.