I am 39 years old. I am a convicted felon, still on parole. I want to be a nurse.

Re: I am 39 years old. I am a convicted felon, still on parole. I want to be a nurs

REPORTING PRIOR CONVICTIONS OR DISCIPLINE AGAINST LICENSES

Applicants are required under law to report all misdemeanor and felony convictions. "Driving under the influence" convictions must be reported. Convictions must be reported even if they have beenadjudicated, dismissed or expunged or even if a court ordered diversion program has been completed under the Penal Code or under Article 5 of the Vehicle Code. Also, all disciplinary action against anapplicant's registered nurse, practical nurse, vocational nurse or other health care related license or
certificate must be reported.

Failure to report prior convictions or disciplinary action is considered falsification of applicationand is grounds for denial of licensure or revocation of license.

When reporting prior convictions or disciplinary action, applicants are required to provide a full written explanation of: circumstances surrounding the arrest(s), conviction(s), and/or disciplinary action(s); the date of incident(s), conviction(s) or disciplinary action(s); specific violation(s) (cite section of law if convicted), court location or jurisdiction, sanctions or penalties imposed and completion dates. Certified copies of arrest and court documents or state board determinations/decisions should also be included.

Note: Applicants must also submit a description of the rehabilitative changes in their life, which would enable them to avoid future occurrences.

To make a determination in these cases, the Board considers the nature and severity of the offense, additional subsequent acts, recency of acts or crimes, compliance with court sanctions, and evidence of rehabilitation.

The burden of proof lies with the applicant to demonstrate acceptable documented evidence of rehabilitation. Examples of rehabilitation evidence include, but are not be limited to:

• Recent, dated letter from applicant describing the event and rehabilitative efforts or changes in life to prevent future problems.

• Letters of reference on official letterhead from employers, nursing instructors, health professionals, professional counselors, parole or probation officers, or other individuals inpositions of authority who are knowledgeable about your rehabilitation efforts.

• Letters from recognized recovery programs and/or counselors attesting to current sobriety and length of time of sobriety, if there is a history of alcohol or drug abuse.

• Proof of community work, schooling, self-improvement efforts.

• Court-issued certificate of rehabilitation or evidence of expungement, proof of compliance with criminal probation or parole, and orders of the court.