Domestic violence record dismissed, will they deny employment?

Nurses Criminal

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I am a brand new nurse got my license one month ago and got called for my very first job at a nudsing home. I went and did my bsckground check and im very worried they wont call me back for orientation due to a domestic battery charge 3 yrs ago. I never plead guilty or even went to court for it because my case was dismissed. Im so worried they wont call me back or deny me employment. I was so excited to be given the oppurtunity does anyone know if this will affect me?

Latasha, I have a history myself so I understand how you feel. We have to get a few things straight to give you the best chance at succeeding and becoming a nurse. First, as I read your statements, I notice grammatical errors. I'm not the "grammar police" as they say on FB but I am not in your shoes at this time so this doesn't apply to me. I'm not insulting you; im trying to help you. Second, you mention the BON a few times as well as "The school I'm going to attend...". Are you just starting school? Does Louisiana law require you to send records the BON before you are finished with school? You said "They tell me...". Who is they, the school or BON? If you send the application/paperwork etc. to your school there are only a few people who will see the information: 1) whoever is in admissions (not the whole department just whoever uses the information for legitimate needs.) 2) the Dean of...whatever. The person who looks at criminal offenses and makes the final decision. 3) possibly the Dean's assistant. There may be an additional person here or there but your teachers aren't going to know anything. It's not something that the powers that be walk around discussing unless it's necessary. Every nursing school in the nation has "criminals" who apply and sometimes get accepted. Check Louisiana's BON website to see what the criteria is for someone with a criminal hx is who want an R.N. license. I talked to a paralegal a couple years back and she said there are 3 hoops to jump through: 1) getting accepted into school 2) getting the BON to allow you to take the NCLEX and 3) finding a job. #3 will be the biggest challenge.

I'm not in school yet, but I'm starting in August 2013

I'm just worried bout getting in school finishing & an the

Bon say no I can't take the nclex. Then I would have been

Wasting time & I really don't want to do that, but I do want

This career very much. You mention you have a history, if u

don't mind me asking what was ur problem an how did it turn

out & what advice can u give me:)

As long as the Board of Nursing in your state issued you a license, you really shouldn't be concerned. Did you have problems receiving your RN license?

Not true -- plenty of nurses with active licenses have difficulty finding employment because of background issues, esp. in the current employment climate, in which man employers are overwhelmed with applicants for positions and actively looking for ways to "thin the herd."

I have three dismissed charges on my background. I have never had an issue finding employment, even at (major) hospitals. I can check "no" when they ask me if I have ever been convicted of a crime...because I have not. My dismissed charges are: disorderly conduct and trespassing (I liked to protest stupid stuff when I was younger) and criminal harrassment (from an ex-boyfriend's OTHER girlfriend who falsified emails stating that I was going to "beat her up" - I didn't write them. It is SO frustrating to have these on my record, even if they are dismissed). You are not legally obligated to disclose dismissed charges to employers.

What if u had dismiss charges like aggravated battery/ assault battery,Can anyone speak on that situation.

Every state is different. Different rules, criteria, whatever. I can speak on my behalf and tell you what I have been told by "people in the know". 1. Maybe the most important suggestion I can give to anyone...especially with a criminal record...BE HONEST. If you lie on applications, to their face, or whenever, then you have obviously not learned from past mistakes. 2. All the hype about expungement, sealed, etc. is what it is...hype. This is Nursing. Like other jobs, records being "expunged" or "sealed" doesn't mean squat. Most nursing schools now can see everything. If it comes up as "expunged" or "sealed", you will have some explaining to do...if you were honest. Which brings me to my next point. 3. If the application says, "Have you ever been convicted of a felony/misdemeanor?", be honest. Unless it tells you otherwise and states that you don't have to admit to crimes that are expunged or sealed. If it doesn't say, then tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you god.(again, different states have different laws) The only way you will get real legal advice is from an attorney (preferably one who deals with nursing). The people you're sending your paperwork to are not stupid. They are "hip" to the whole "my record is expunged so it doesn't count thing." Don't lie. The second you lie the game is over. If you have changed then the thought of finding a loophole shouldn't cross your mind. I have 4 misdemeanors. Nothing super horrible, but I have a list. I'm a recovering addict (4 years sober January 15 2013) and did stupid stuff back in 1999-2002. Actually I did stupid stuff up until a little over 4 years ago...I just didn't get caught. Everyone on earth makes poor choices. Some get caught, some don't. Some learn their lesson, some don't. I was up front and honest with my school from the beginning. I had to sit down and talk with some people and give all the facts and variables. To sum it up, you will probably get different opinions on how the system works and advice on what Latasha should do. Don't listen to anyone...not even me. There are only 2 facts I can give you. 1. Lying is not good. 2. Only an attorney will give you the answers you're looking for. (nursing recruiters, Human resources, etc. can't give legal advice. The best answer you will get is, "We look at each case individually and take into account all the variables.")

Do u have ur license yet

No I don't. I'm still in school. I have done research on laws, nursing boards, nursing schools, etc. for years now. I knew when I applied and accepted into school that I was rolling the dice. I won't bore you with a 'god' story. Bottom line is, if I'm not supposed to be a nurse, then the best practical joke in history is on me. In life you will learn something if you haven't already Latasha...it's who you know. There will be exceptions however. I don't care if Barrack Obama is your uncle, if you commit murder you will not be a nurse. For me personally, faith in god is what will get me to where I need to be. Somewhere down the line, the "right place right time" thing will be in affect and I have faith I will get a job. I may have to apply to 1000 different places but I will get hired somewhere. As far as "who you know", networking is very important. Volunteer work, joining clubs(preferably pertinent to healthcare)and the like are good ways for people to get to know who you are today and not what you were in the past. You have to understand, computer software in many(maybe most, not sure) healthcare facilities look for key words on resumes, cover pages, applications etc. and gives the employer the best picks based on what the computer is programmed to look for. So even people without records have to have their stuff straight. People like you and I have to take things further. We need to put ourselves "out there" to be seen. You will come across the right person one day and who knows, they may be top dog/boss/owner/supreme court judge etc. and put in a good word based on the impression you leave. It's stressful at times but you have to keep the faith. You said you start school this year. So I assume they have seen your record and you are able to complete nursing clinical's. If these charges are not 'Absolute Bars' in the state of Louisiana then your okay...so to speak. It means they haven't said 'no' yet. If the school has accepted you and the BON, according to their state laws, have determined(it's already determined, it should be on the Louisiana BON website) that you are not an absolute bar, there is hope. The BON, in Ohio at least, tend to be forgiving if: you are honest and upfront, there is significant time lapse since the last time you committed a crime, and you accept whatever restrictions they apply to your license. The restrictions on an RN license can be a huge obstacle from what I understand. A nurse who isn't, by law, allowed to perform certain duties is almost pointless. (restrictions are usually for a probationary period which can last as long as the board deems necessary.

Good luck I wish u the best, I have Change my plans cause the school that I want to go to doesn't start until 2014,but there's one in aug this year I was going their I decided not to I just don't feel comfortable there, so I'm waiting. I do appreciate you talking with me. Ooh by the way im trying for LPN in Louisiana & I look them up so far it looks good.

I wanted to ask if u do a background check on yourself & only the dismiss charges come up

An not the conviction do u still bring this up to the board. The background was done threw the

Louisiana state police, but it's on my arrest report.another thing I have serval arrests report

All dismiss except the conviction should I give them my list or just tell them what came up on the report.

If you did ur on background check an the dismiss charges came up & the conviction didn't, do I still report the conviction. The background was through the state & it's on the arrest report but not on rap sheet . I don't want to tell no more than they ask for.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I wanted to ask if u do a background check on yourself & only the dismiss charges come up

An not the conviction do u still bring this up to the board. The background was done threw the

Louisiana state police, but it's on my arrest report.another thing I have serval arrests report

All dismiss except the conviction should I give them my list or just tell them what came up on the report.

I would check with your BON to see what they require you to disclose. Some BONs don't want to hear about dismissed charges...but others do. So start by contacting your BON--call, visit, you can contact them anonymously by e-mail if you prefer.

If after doing that you still have questions about how to answer the questions, then you need to contact a lawyer as we can't give you legal advice here.

Best of luck.

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