Embarassing but true, please advise

Nurses Criminal

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In 2007, I made the major mistake of drinking and driving. I have a misdemeanor on my record.

I am intending to apply for post bac BSN programs on the east coast. I live in the Midwest. Since my incident, aside from total compliance with court mandated programs and NEVER DRINKING since, I do have a good deal of volunteer work under my belt (not court mandated). I have a bacclaurate GPA of 3.6 and prereq GPA of 4.0. Drinking and driving was undoubtably the worst decision in my life. :(

My question is:

How do I approach this horrible mistake in the application process? Is there a portion on the applications that specify divulgence of misdemeanors? Should I include an essay on my mistake?

How could this potientially affect my acceptance into these programs?

I am posting this because the other threads addressing similar mistakes were made in the much farther past than mine. I am in my late 20's.

Thankyouthankyouthankyou for any advice.

Specializes in Oncology.

Hi there. I was in the same situation you were in, I had a DWI, and I had no problem finding a job. I was honest on my application and provided any info they needed and I wasn't asked about it a second time. I did have more issues getting my RN license. The state BON wanted a lot of info from the courts sent to them and I had to write a narrative about the situation and what had I done to change it. Once they received all the info I rec'd my license. It sucks, but think of it as more of a bump in the road then a dead end. Just be open and honest and I don't think you will have any problems.

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When you apply to take the NCLEX, part of the application involves disclosing your arrest record and attaching your court papers in a sealed envelope. (Your school won't read it, only the BON.) I have worked with two students in this situation. The BON considered their requests on an individual basis and I wrote letters of support for each of them. Their application to take NCLEX was delayed about 3 months, as the BON needed time to get their cases on the agend and consider them. I think the students even showed up at the BON meeting to discuss their case. From what I understand from a friend who was on the BON, they look at the seriousness of the offense and what your record has been since then. If you did something stupid a few years ago, and never repeated that behavior, or anything else illegal since then, they usually go permit them to take NCLEX. However, if you lie to the BON on the application, or if you have a pattern of illegal behavior, especially since entering nursing school, they don't like that at all, and then you usually see them taking sanctions against the applicant.

If you ask your faculty member for a letter of support, I would tell them what you did and if you continued to do that or if you have not been doing the behavior that got you into trouble. I don't like putting my name on a letter like this and not knowing what happened and that it hasn't happened since.

I am not sure how an employer would look at this. I would encourage you to be honest with them, as well. You may also want to look at the license applicaiton that is probably available online and see what the actual wording of the question is that asks about past arrests. That might give you a clue regarding what to expect. Hope this helps.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Oncology.

If I remember correctly (and its been a while), my nursing school and my license application only asked if I had ever been convicted of a felony, not a misdemeanor. I know this varies by state. DWI is a serious offense (moreso to society than to the law, at times) but I do not necessarily see it impacting your future employment if it is the only mar on your background check and it is not a repeat offense.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"In all honesty, you probably won't get a job."

This is unduly pessimistic. As others have posted, there are alot of variables involved. As long as you are honest in your application, I believe most employers will be willing to consider you.

True story....my superviser recently interviewed a potential new employee. The superviser was very impressed and got back to HR with her request to hire the employee, contingent upon the background check. HR got back to the supervisor, advising her that the applicant had a fraud conviction on her record. The supervisor had been so impressed that she was willing to hire the applicant anyway.....except for the fact that the applicant had said "No" to the question on the application...."Have you ever been convicted..."

So....no job offer. Mistakes can be forgiven. Lying and falsification cannot.

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Specializes in LDRP.

DEFINITELY check with the board of nursing in your state to make sure they'd even let you be licensed. I know a girl who had a few misdemeanors from 10 years ago (no dui, though) and she was able to get a license in our state, but had to write to the board, why she wouldn't do it again, letter from old probation officer, etc etc etc.

she's runnign into problems with jobs. has had two offers that were rescinded after they did the background check, even though its 10 years old.

im not saying dont go to school, but it may be tough getting a job. i'd contact the board of nursing first, because if they wont license you, then definitely no point in going through school.

good luck.

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Specializes in Peds, PACU, ICU, ER, OB, MED-Surg,.

I agree with the other poster's check with the BON in your state. Sometimes quicker to go to the office then try to get someone on the phone. Do not lie on any applications.

Personally I think someone that is honest and forthright about their mistakes should not have any trouble getting a job. Places still hire nurses that have been sanctioned by the board for drugs, misconduct, etc. Those things happened while they were licensed. Your mistake happened in the past, you have not repeated the mistake and have gone on to get an education.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.
Very tough girl..... shows how some things can haunt us a long time. I have a minor misdeamenor on my record from when I was young and had to share it on applications but it was nothing as serious as yours.

In all honesty, you probably won't get a job. Not with the indepth background checks they do. I couldn't believe how intense mine was am I am just a tech right now - but maybe that is because I am in a larger city?

I don't really think this will not keep you from getting a job at all.

I don't understand where you come to this conclusion. Now if it

were a felony or something, then maybe so.

I had a misdemeanor similar to this and had to petition the board of nursing, send in appropriate documents and a letter stating the circumstances of my arrest and how my life has changed since.

This process for TX is called a "Declaratory Order" and I did this BEFORE I started nursing school to make sure I would be allowed to sit for my nclex.

But, for this mistake to prevent you from obtaining employment. I don't think so, it didn't give me any problems. People make mistakes and most learn from them, so contact your board of nursing and go through the appropriate measures they require. Best of luck to you.

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>>"In all honesty, you probably won't get a job."

This is unduly pessimistic. As others have posted, there are alot of variables involved. As long as you are honest in your application, I believe most employers will be willing to consider you.

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I am sticking to what I have seen and it wouldn't happen in my area. Period. Sucks, but it is the truth and jsut plain realistic. I wouldn't want her to go through school and not get a job because of it.

I hope she is in an area with more need of nurses and it works out! Anything is possible, it just may not be as easy. I know here she would have a very hard time getting a job in a hospital here.

I wish her luck!

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Specializes in Mostly geri :).

Please just be honest, I know someone who was let go from their dream job because they said they had no criminal background and the check came back with a DUI. They were not fired for having it, but for concealing it. My friend in HR says that mentionig a 12 step program or counseling on applications if you have a DUI goes a long way. Best of luck, please keep us updated :)

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If that is all that is on your record and if you are honest with your future employers then I don't think it will hinder you at all. I have a dui on my record, two of my buddies have dui's on their records and we all have found gainful employment at major hospitals in an area that has many nursing graduates.

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Hooray for those who experiment and make mistakes,

Hooray for those that learn from mistakes,

Hooray for those who make a better world for everyone from what they have learned, and

Curses to those who restrict lifetime potentials of anybody who experimented.

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I pray someone you love is never taken away from you by a drunk driver.

This is not just a simple little "mistake", it is a neglectful, painful choice that can change someone's life forever. May it never be yours.

Hooray for those who experiment and make mistakes,

Hooray for those that learn from mistakes,

Hooray for those who make a better world for everyone from what they have learned, and

Curses to those who restrict lifetime potentials of anybody who experimented.

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