My journey with a criminal history

Nurses Criminal

Published

If you reading this post most likely you have a criminal history. Well if you would like to join me on my journey of getting licensed and a job with a criminal history then read along. I'm posting this so others can have hope too. I know first hand how it feels to sweat bullets when see that little box on applications asking: Do you have a criminal history? My journey is in progress. I already finished nursing school. I spoke with the director of the program before I started. She let me know depending on the nature of the crime would determine if i could complete the program.... I have one misdemeanor that was 5 years old by time I started the program. I did the back ground check and she said it was ok to start the program. Oh and just in case this helps when I did the CNA program they approved me to start the program even with a criminal history. That is what gave me hope to start the nursing program. Anyway I won all the awards I could while in school. Because I have a criminal history I want to show future employers what a changed and a more focused person I have become since the time of my conviction. I feel like I need to have more in my corner when i go for a job because I do have a misdemeanor.

Anyway I have finished nursing school. To sit before the state exam I had to send off my court papers about my conviction. They have approved to sit and take my exam. Now for my licence they just sent me a letter saying they want the official police report and a letter from my point of view of the events that happened. So this is were I stand right now. All my hard work waiting on this approval. I am totally optimistic. I feel like will get approved. There is no doubt in my mind. If you think negative then that's what your outcome will be. I will keep you guys updated "when" I get my license and how it was landing a job.

One more thing nobody on this message board can answer if your criminal history will eliminate from getting your license and practicing as a nurse. The state board are the only people who will decide... "call" the board talk to them.....they know people make mistakes.... And be honest.. anyway ....wish me luck and I will keep you guys updated.......:wink2:

I have a criminal history which is tax fraud 10 years old and 6 years old on the federal level. I did serve prison time. My problem has not been the nursing board, but with employers who do not hire me because of my criminal history. I was on probation and a federal judge said my tax fraud had no relation to my profession, and no "third party" notification was required by the Probation Department. However, I have been declined jobs because I was convicted of a felon. In addition, I am a victim of identity theft and my name, birthdate, and ssn were used by persons to commit crime and were used while the person was incarcerated. I cannot have them expunged due to the fact I did commit a crime. My questions is, what shall I do? Wait until 7 years pass or what? I am becoming more and discouraged in trying to find a job ( I have a license) with a criminal history. Any suggestions?

I too have a criminal history,. traffic offenses only(driving on a sus lic). i graduated in june and i have yet to test. Im in massachusetts, and they are 1 month behind on their CORI's, so that wont be processed until 8/6 then i go into a 2 to 8 week window, while mass decides if im of good moral character.

in the mean time, ive lost my job as a nurse at my facility, they wont hold the position, so after 10k dollars and 10 mos of my life im back to CNA work. believe me, i fully understand your frustration. I am living it, i cant even talk to people who i know have passed from my class, it's killing me.

Im pretty sure ill be allowed to test and get my license. but the waiting is sooooo frustrating. all that work for right now anyway, nothing. can i just sleep until sept when i can take the test?

Specializes in Operating Room, Ortho, Neuro, Trauma.

Wow! I am so sorry. The wait is so stressful. I have a job that is supposed to start August 24th and I have passed NCLEX however, I have to pay a $500 fine and wait on the paperwork to be processed and I pray that it is BEFORE August 24th. It is an awesome job opportunity. Good luck to everyone.:(

I have a misdemeanor 3 years old for a unauthorized use of property. I am a new grad and I am having a very hard time getting a job. However, I don't think its all due to my background some with the economy. I have been on 4 interviews all LTC and 3 of the jobs I feel I wold have had if I didn't have this on me. I also was working at a hospital while in school and had a job waiting for me. It was taking forever for my license to go through so human resources even though they had done a fbi/bci check 8 months prior wanted a copy of the complaint and then asked me if I would like to quit! She told me the hospitals won't hire me and that I should go to DR's office. Problem with that the ads I have seen want experience. I am 50,000 in in debt for loans. I have 3 children and a sick mother that were all counting on me to bring home the bacon. I now see why when people get out of jail/prison they turn to a life of crime what choice do they have when society won't help.

Specializes in Clinicals.

I am soooo nervous. I graduate in December 09 from my BSN program. I have 2 misdemeanors. Attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. These charges were added after 3 felonies and a misdemeanor was dropped.:uhoh3: A background check was ran before I started my nursing program 2 1/2 years ago and and nothing came up. I'm shaking in my boots and I will be praying VERY hard until all of this is settled.

Gosh, I hope that everything works out, have you spoke with an attorney, I'm thinking of getting one because I'm so scared of my pass misdemeanor, I think I'm going to contact one from the TAANA, since I have been looking for a "nurse attorney in this town" which is huge, but one seems only to exist and she won't call me back, I guess she is so busy. I also had one 25 years ago and I hate to mention it because I don't really think there is paper work on it, strange but true. Because once I got hired for the Department of Corrections and mentioned it before hand and the investigator called ask me what happen and he said that he found no trace of it, and I got hired. So I'm hoping someone from the TAANA can help me. I can relate to shaking in your boots...

have u been able to get a job?

:heartbeat I'm actually just on my last semester of RN school and going through the background check for the BON. I have hired an attorney from the TAANA, she is a Nurse Attorney. She seems like she will be really good. I feel like I have an advocate, so I don't feel as nervous, but I did get hired by the Corrections Department irregardless, so hopefully everything works out. About your job situation, have you got a good resume?...I do know that nursing homes and Psych wards seem to always be looking for nurses. Prisons and jails too, but I personally wouldn't go there, just 2 weeks of correctional officer training cured and scared me!!!..of those places. lol

I have only had interviews at ltc and I let them know about my situation and they have all been interested in hiring me but because of coorporate policy they don't I would love to to get into corrections thanks I will def try that I will let u know how it turns out. I am praying because I have to be bringing in an income soon!!!!!!!! So u say there was no trace of a record? Would they have hired u if there was?

I'm reading through this forum because a friend of mine has a criminal background and she wants to do nursing school. She has a record and was charged with battery. She hit someone who hit her sister first, and yet she was the one who was charged.

It's amazing the stuff we do when we're young, and we learned from our mistakes. I hope you all have success in finding employment. If you were able to go to nursing school then you should be able to get a job. Crimes that were done years ago shouldn't be used against you especially if you've had a clean record since then. My friend had that charge on her 10 years ago, and has a clean record since then. Praying for you all

Re: My Journey with a criminal record.

I feel like you do also . I have a misdemeanor 3yrs.old.The charge was petty thief, because I was in a car with the old license plates. I just bought the car. I am in a BSN program with my RN license, but haven't worked in seven years. I am worried about getting a job once I get my degree. I want to start now, since I am returning to work .Any suggestions where to start.

+ Add a Comment