National Background Check

[chopahopa]

So I just got accepted into the Nursing program that I applied to, and I realized that I have to take a background check. I have been arrested on 3 seperate occasions, none of them even lead to a conviction or even a court date. I also had a neglegent driving charge about 6 years ago. Are any of these things I should worry about affecting my acceptence into a Nursing program? Will they even show up on a background check? Please help!!!1

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

The people best qualified to answer your questions would be the director of your nursing program, and/or your state Board of Nursing. Your history may or may not disqualify you from a spot in the program; however, it may be another issue entirely when it comes to the various clinical sites your school uses, which are often even more strict than the program itself. A lot depends on the crimes, how long ago they occurred, and how well you reassure the authorities that you've learned your lesson and won't repeat your offenses.

[sandyfeet]

It depends on the level of clearance and what the arrests were for. I know people in my program had speeding tickets, DUI's, red light tickets. That what they would admit to! My understanding is that the background check is to look for things like child or elder abuse, things that would demonstrate someone is not trustworthy around vulnerable people.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

Directors of nursing programs have been accepting students for years who are not eligible to take the boards. They are most happy to accept your tuition. There are several threads on AN re: this problem. Ultimately, the Board of Nursing is the deciding group so run, don't walk to contact them.