Criminal Background Check

Nurses Criminal

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I had a minor in possession of alcohol charge 4 years ago in another state, for which I was not arrested nor fingerprinted, and the case was dismissed.. Will that show up on my background check? And will I need to disclose that to the BON in order to get my go ahead to start nursing school?

Any information helps, thanks!

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If the case was dismissed, then I don't see a reason you would need to disclose it.

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Really? Thanks for you input! That would be great if I didn't need to! I was just uncertain, the BON declaratory order is so confusing and somewhere in there it says that if you were ever placed on deferred adjudication that you needed to disclose the incident. And I had to complete a one year deferred adjudication before it was dismissed.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I'm not sure if a dismissed charge may or may not show up on a background check.

As far as whether you need to disclose that to your BON, that would be up to the specific BON you are applying to for licensure. I would contact them (do it anonymously if you prefer) and ask. Same thing for the nursing school.

Best of luck.

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I'm pretty sure you do have to disclose the incident. I am in the same boat. I was cited with an MIP for alcohol 8 years ago but the case was dismissed and I just had to pay a fine. A year later I had another incident with marijuana (I swear I have the worst luck/timing) and this time I had to have a meeting with the District Attorney instead of court. The DA told me she would wipe the MJ incident from my record but warned me that employers could still see the dismissed alcohol incident on my record.

I will be graduating in spring 2015 from CA. I will be mentioning the Dismissed alcohol charge when I apply but now I don't know if the marijuana incident can be found anywhere since I don't know exactly what the DA washed from my record.

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I'm pretty sure you do have to disclose the incident. I am in the same boat. I was cited with an MIP for alcohol 8 years ago but the case was dismissed and I just had to pay a fine. A year later I had another incident with marijuana (I swear I have the worst luck/timing) and this time I had to have a meeting with the District Attorney instead of court. The DA told me she would wipe the MJ incident from my record but warned me that employers could still see the dismissed alcohol incident on my record.

I will be graduating in spring 2015 from CA. I will be mentioning the Dismissed alcohol charge when I apply but now I don't know if the marijuana incident can be found anywhere since I don't know exactly what the DA washed from my record.

best way is to get a live scan record review and see what is on and what is not. you can go to doj website and download the form. its always good idea to get a copy of your criminal history. even if it has been dismissed, expunged. just to be sure that doj has update information since all subsequent livescans you provide will be base on doj record. that way youll know what the reviewing body is looking at.

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Specializes in Addictions, Adult Psych.

It depends on the state you live in. In MA I had to disclose all charges whether they were dismissed or not, but that was because I had to check "Yes" on if I had any misdemeanors... Either call the BON or your local police to ask. If you do have to disclose it, all is not lost as that is a very minor charge. I doubt it would prevent you from beginning nursing school or taking your NCLEX. Good luck!

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^^ yes yes just be aware that schools will accept you without letting you know that some of your background issues may prevent you from becoming licensed. Most states require a federal FBI check that shows everything dismissed, expunged, or current. Just admit everything , be honest, stick to the facts , no excuses, and things will go much more smoothly for you.

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