Application to the Florida BON

[AlbieH]

Hello all,

I recently finished nursing school and am the proud owner of a BSN. When filling out my app for the Florida BON I checked "no" next to the "have you ever been convicted..." yadayada. I'm now beginning to think that may have been a mistake. Quite a few years ago, I received a ticket for "possession of paraphernalia", an infraction according to state law. The charge was dismissed and I never considered it again. Does this fall under the guidelines as something that must be reported? It's neither a misdemeanor or felony, but an infraction, something beneath both.

Here's what the FBON guidelines say:

Question: What crimes must be reported on the application?

Answer: All convictions, guilty pleas and nolo contendere pleas must be reported, except for minor traffic violations not related to the use of drugs or alcohol. This includes misdemeanors, felonies, "driving while intoxicated (DWI)", "driving under the influence (DUI)" and "driving while license suspended or revoked (DWLSR)". Crimes must be reported even if they receive a suspended sentence. All prior or current disciplinary action against another professional license must be reported, whether it occurred in Florida or in another state or territory.

I see no mention of infractions here. If I fail to report it and the board discovers it, what then?

Thank in advance for any info

[mlbluvr]

Was not the paraphenalia 'related to the use of drugs or alcohol'? But, is a traffic ticket a crime, according the the BOB? I'd talk to a lawyer. Possibly you might call the BON anonymously to ask them, also.

[AlbieH]

Thanks for your reply. The way I read '...must be reported, except for minor traffic violations not related to the use of drugs or alcohol' suggests that the drugs/alcohol are what cause or are directly related to the traffic violation, not that anything relating to the use of drugs/alcohol needs to be reported. I'd love to be able to consult an attorney, unfortunately that's not something I can afford to do.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

See: FAQ: Nursing Licensure With Criminal History has info re Florida

[AlbieH]

I had forgotten that the school had done a level 2 background check prior to my entrance into the program and it turned up nothing, I've seen the results. I also requested my state records and they were clear. Only a certain level of violations are ever sent from local to state records and mine was beneath that level. Considering this, I think I'm in the clear.

Thanks for your post Karen, I copied part of my original post from text in your link.

[AlbieH]

Just to update anybody that looks to this thread for information, I received approval to test. I think the background check may only look at the state level of records. Counties may not be standardized in their method of storing and sharing information which would make it very time consuming to search for records on that level.