Assault & Battery

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 11, 2013

You will have to ask your local nursing program, as each of them varies in what they will accept.

One concern for you will be the clinical sites, as they have their own requirements regarding criminal records. And just because a school may accept you with your record doesn't mean the clinical site has to. And if a clinical site rejects you and the school can't place you elsewhere, you're stuck.

Expungement: generally, expungement does help with the job hunt. However, keep in mind that you will have to declare expunged convictions to almost every BON, so you'll still have to address the conviction with them. Also, expungement doesn't fully wipe your record clean--for example, the arrest may remain visible on your record. Check with a lawyer regarding what expungement does and doesn't do.

Best of luck with everything.

Jadira1125 · Sep 12, 2013

Thank you for your response Meriwhen. I want to expunge the record so I will not have to put the arrest on an application. But, I would tell them at the interview. That way they can here my story and not just judge the record, or say I lied once they do a background check. I feel some employers won't even give you an interview if put put any arrests on an application, which is unfair.

As for the school and clinical situation, that is my biggest concern. I'm afraid of that very thing happening. Getting approved for classes but not clinicals, being that I am still on probation until June 2014. I figured I should ask my school. I will make a trip next week. I also plan on going to my local hospital and asking HR for advise. Let them know my charge and if they think I should even try. They know what they would and would not except.

I'm just so stressed out about this. I've been wanting to be a Nurse since I was a child and now I feel like my dreams have been shattered. But I guess there is a plan out there for all of us..

Again, thank you!

maria_miami · Sep 23, 2013

For Meriwhen (sorry for my english)

I read a lot of post about the records...and i thank you a lot because you take your time to answer and give precious information...

I just have a question...Are you sure that once the record is expunged the BON can see it?

I just made my records expunged...and i called the court who made expunged my records. They say that i should wait 1 month before the record is totaly expunged of the system (deleted).

They said that after that time, the public service including the board of nursing can't see the expunged record. That i can forget that problem, is like never was happen. Only if the police arrest me in the future, i should talk about it.

That in the case the board of nursing can see the record, is because the authorities didn't delete the record for any reason. But once the judge give the order to deleted most be done within one month.

Then we should check before making the fingerprint to the board, that the record is expunged and delete of the system. That does not cause any problem forward.

Also we have to be careful when we check only in the police station for 5 dollars. Where we should check is with the fingerprints which is level 2.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 23, 2013

For Meriwhen (sorry for my english)
I read a lot of post about the records...and i thank you a lot because you take your time to answer and give precious information...
I just have a question...Are you sure that once the record is expunged the BON can see it?
I just made my records expunged...and i called the court who made expunged my records. They say that i should wait 1 month before the record is totaly expunged of the system (deleted).
They said that after that time, the public service including the board of nursing can't see the expunged record. That i can forget that problem, is like never was happen. Only if the police arrest me in the future, i should talk about it.
That in the case the board of nursing can see the record, is because the authorities didn't delete the record for any reason. But once the judge give the order to deleted most be done within one month.
Then we should check before making the fingerprint to the board, that the record is expunged and delete of the system. That does not cause any problem forward.
Also we have to be careful when we check only in the police station for 5 dollars. Where we should check is with the fingerprints which is level 2.

I am not affiliated with any BON. To be honest, with all the times I post, "the BON is NOT the nurse's friend," I'm sure the BONs look at me and say, "Meriwhen is NOT the BON's friend."

I am not sure what BONs see in their background checks. So whether the BON would be allowed to see something expunged, I don't know.

I do know that expungement does not magically wipe your criminal record completely clean--arrests often remain visible. So they WILL see that arrest and likely have some questions to ask you about it.

Like it or not, most if not all BONs will ask you to declare expunged convictions. Should you fail to disclose an expunged crime and they learn about it, your license can be refused, disciplined or revoked as you submitted a fraudulent application.

Check out some of the other threads in the forum...as other members will attest to, BONs do not look kindly upon the failure to disclose.

I am not a lawyer and therefore can't give legal advice--and neither can anyone else at AN as that's against our TOS. When it comes to filling out the application for licensure, if you have any questions about how to answer it or what to disclose, I strongly suggest you consult with a lawyer. If you choose not to disclose the expunged convictions to the BON, you will have to deal with the consequences when they find out.

Best of luck.