Nurses with criminal background

Nurses Criminal

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I am a 28 year old new nurse graduate. when i was 17 years old, i had a charge of theft. Now after going back to school, and 11 years later, I graduated, and the board does not want to issue my license because of this old charge. I was so young and it was the biggest mistake of my life, and don't feel its fair that they are judging me for one mistake made. I have always been a straight A student, very responsible and with impecable credit, driving record and school records, its just that one mistake haunting me. My question is, has anyone ever, or do you know of anyone with the same charge as me and were issued their license??? They haven't denied it yet, but its been about 6 months and i don't receive and answer from them so i am getting worried that their answer will be no.:crying2: and i worked extremely hard in school to get this far, for nothing.:crying2:

hello II 04r6 II : i am applying in the state of Texas, which i know is very similar to california as per the nursing board rules and regulations. As of now, they requested from me all court documents that state my case details, and a letter from me describing the circumstances that led me to the charge, and most importantly why i stated NO on the section that asks you if you have a criminal background. they also required a fee of $150 to begin the investigation process. hope this helps, and best of luck to you :)

Obtaining a State License is the easy part. Finding a decent job at a reputable hospital is the hard part. I received my BSN at received my license from the State of Texas with no problems with 2 misdemeanor offenses. Hospitals definitely discriminate in regards to criminal background offenses. I've been actually "offered the job" pending background check, and what do ya know: offer taken back. These places are not equal opportunity employeers.

Jaywyze03, if you don't mind me asking, what were the two misdemeanors in? I too, am in the same situation. I have a petty theft and a trespassing conviction, both misdemeanors, and am so torn as to whether I should even pursue a career in nursing. Any insight you can offer me will be greatly appreciated. Did your school perform a background check? What about your clinical? And what about the state board?

Getting a licenses in the state of texas IS the easy part. From experience, getting a job is very very very difficult. I have a misdemeanor class B theft in dec 2005, was able to go to nursing school, got my RN license no problem. 2 years after getting my license...still no hospital job. I do get calls for interviews at "big" hospitals in houston, got offered a job, but after they ran the background check, they took the offer back (just like what jaywyze03 said earlier with his experience)

a lot of the times, i look back and become depressed. other times, i wonder about what career change i should make. I still owe student loans and am barely keeping up with the monthly payments.

y'all keep me updated and i'll do the same.

Houston TXRN, have you tried getting your conviction expunged? Although Livescans that hospitals run will still be able to see your conviction, it will make your case a little better since you got it expunged. I completely understand the guilt you feel and the position you are in right now. I have called around to several different hospitals in CA to ask questions about how they hire RN's with a criminal background, and one has gotten back to me and will answer my questions shortly. I will let you know what they said. Most that I have called so far instantly ask me how long ago was the offense, and was told that the longer, the better. 2005 is 6 years ago, and maybe that is still too recent for them? Just keep your head up and wait it out. Pick up a side job for now until enough time has passed from your last conviction and keep looking for an RN position! Good luck to you, and keep us posted on your situation.

Specializes in L & D, Med-Surge, Dialysis.
Getting a licenses in the state of texas IS the easy part. From experience, getting a job is very very very difficult. I have a misdemeanor class B theft in dec 2005, was able to go to nursing school, got my RN license no problem. 2 years after getting my license...still no hospital job. I do get calls for interviews at "big" hospitals in houston, got offered a job, but after they ran the background check, they took the offer back (just like what jaywyze03 said earlier with his experience)

a lot of the times, i look back and become depressed. other times, i wonder about what career change i should make. I still owe student loans and am barely keeping up with the monthly payments.

y'all keep me updated and i'll do the same.

Hvae you try to talk to a lawyer for non disclosure of your case in other for them to seal it, if it can be expunged?

hospitals will still see it

I finally received news from the Nursing Board of Texas, they approved my case and allowed me to test for license. :)

That's great! It's so nice to hear a success story! I live in TN, I hope I am able to get my license. TN is so hard on people with convictions, it is nearly impossible to get an expungement.

I am a 28 year old new nurse graduate. when i was 17 years old, i had a charge of theft. Now after going back to school, and 11 years later, I graduated, and the board does not want to issue my license because of this old charge. I was so young and it was the biggest mistake of my life, and don't feel its fair that they are judging me for one mistake made. I have always been a straight A student, very responsible and with impecable credit, driving record and school records, its just that one mistake haunting me. My question is, has anyone ever, or do you know of anyone with the same charge as me and were issued their license??? They haven't denied it yet, but its been about 6 months and i don't receive and answer from them so i am getting worried that their answer will be no.:crying2: and i worked extremely hard in school to get this far, for nothing.:crying2:
I hope this all works out for you I read this and feel bad. People often make mistakes and shouldn't be judged the rest of there life my question is they do a check when you enter school if this was going to be a problem. It seems someone should have mentioned it to you. All this time later and all the hard work it does seem unfair. Good luck to you!

For the ones who are saying that they are unable to find a job with a background, do the employers not have a section in the application where you can disclose any criminal convictions. I live in GA and most applications do, but some just have a section asking if you have ever been convicted of a felony. I have one misdemeanor that I was convicted of and disclose it on applications. I would be sorely ****** if I disclosed the information on an app and got an interview just to be passed up because of my background. I am waiting to get the offense expunged but was advised to wait at least five years from the court date, its only been 2. I have had job offers and really don't think I would be turned down even after I do my background but I could be mistaken. BTW: my offense was for fighting...

i'm suprised this didn't come up sooner before you completed the program..

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