Nurses with criminal background

[txgirl11]

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. and i worked extremely hard in school to get this far, for nothing.

[t_carla]

I have been accepted to a great nursing school but I'm concerned that 2 misdameanors that I received 20 years ago will keep me from becoming a nurse.

[keasia]

I am going threw the same problem I also have a felony amd 2 mis and I am scared to even go to thelass I do not know what to do I really want to do it my felony is 6 years old and I have been doing real good

[Devildog]

to everyone who will apply for any license...answer all questions carefully since you are certifying by sign the application that you are answering truthfully. all boards will slam you if you answer any questions incorrectly, this is worse than the initial problem....

[kryvn10]

See your stories give me a glimmer of hope. I finished school in June 2010, took NCLEX November 2010, got my pass pending letter December 2010, sent certified court documents the same month, THEN received a letter February 2011 stating they needed certified documents??????? Called my "analyst" and he looked up my file and said "Oh, we just received the documents today" yeah right. Now, whenever I call I get the same generic statement, "we will let you know in writing when we make a decision." He doesn't even want to look at my file to inform me whether there are any updates I am so frustrated and very close to the end of my patience. I don't even want to work in california. I plan on taking my license and applying in Texas. This is ridiculous, there really should be some type of law in place that lvn applicants are entitled to timely licensure decision because we are already experiencing a professional hardship. Food Workers get special treatment so why shouldn't we??? I really want some stability in my life, I want to move out of my parents house, I want to provide a better life for my daughter. I don't have a criminal history. My entire history includes traffic violation, speeding, driving without registration and insurance and and driving on a suspended license which the judge brought down to an infarction and that ticket is completely paid. I just hope after all of this waiting they don't deny me

[FLmomof5]

I have been accepted to a great nursing school but I'm concerned that 2 misdameanors that I received 20 years ago will keep me from becoming a nurse.

I had 3 of those in 2003. I am a nurse....just not employed yet! You can do this!

[Tiger747]

When I was in nursing school, the whole emphasis was placed on a criminal record and how that would effect you with the board. The mentality was seemingly all about getting your license. Well, we all had to spend an entire day at the B.O.N., and we saw very few denied their license-- we even laughed about it, saying, "Gosh, you'd have to kill someone to get denied."

What they don't mention is this: Easy to get a license; tough to find a job. In Kansas, I think it was, for example, something like 40,000 teachers currently employed have to get background checks done now in 2011 because when they were hired it was not required. In other words, it is retroactive. You know they'll find something, and quite a few will lose their jobs. There are more applicants than there are teaching jobs.

An awful lot has changed even in the last couple of years. I was a substitute teacher in 2007; I could not be one now because of my misdemeanor in 2001. What wasn't a problem in 2007,is now a big problem! LOL

It is so bad, that when I went to the Sheriff's Dept. to get my record for applying to take my boards, the Sheriff, who I know, said I did not need my record. He said, "All you have is a misdemeanor from 2001, and you don't have to report misdemeanors to anybody." LOL Well, a lot has changed. That little misdemeanor gave me a probationary license and very slim prospects for a job.

What I am saying is that even the legal/judicial community is not aware of just how much hiring practices have changed. IMHO, this has to be addressed at a top national level. Meanwhile, a great many of us who went into this field are going to have to consider some sort of plan B that is not so stringent on perfect pasts. Personally, I can only think of one: truck driving.

An associate of mine at H&R Block got hired on at Taco Bell this tax season. When he went in for his schedule, they informed him that he wasn't "Taco Bell material." He had a little D.U.I from like 10 years ago.

I am in Indiana, and maybe it is different in other states. However, in Indiana you can no longer get your record expunged, regardless of how much money or how awesome your attorney is-- it is legislation.

[McBunny]

So does getting an expungement even increase your chances at all?

[Devildog]

Personally I believe you should always expunge anything you possibly can. Just a good idea.For my state(FL) renewal the questions are asked about criminal FELONIES after 2009. It took two years for the health dept to figure out how to implement the new law. If you have had a Felony after 2009 here you will probably be denied a license. Unfortunately many schools here denied admission to students based on the law as written by the legislature in 2009 not by the current implementation. The Florida impaired practitioners group here worked very deligently on implementation

[shamus]

An expungement may not help with the BON, but it will be beneficial in the attempt to find employment since it will not be on your record.

[McBunny]

To answer my own question and other peoples questions who are down in the dumps and can't find sleep because of their own background situation, YES IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET LICENSED AND GET A JOB.

I was convicted of misdemeanor for battery. I was falsely accused of hitting another person and because I had no witness, I was set for book and release, took advice from the public defendor who could care less about my situation - promised me it would be GONE from my record after my probation was over if I pleaded no contest - 4 years later, I would have to live with it knowing that it will always be on my record forever.

Trying to explain my situation to the board, finally being able to take the NCLEX, then waiting months to finally get my license was so hard, as if nursing school wasn't a feat enough itself. Yes it is hard, yes it will be difficult, but don't give up. If you can, try to get it expunged, because that will help with the Job Search. I was offered a job at a subacute care facility and held my breath for 2 weeks while they checked my background. I didn't disclose it on the application because in the state of California, you don't have to, but I was still afraid that they would see it. Finally yesterday, I got a call from DSD and they finalized the job offer. I start next week.

Final advice, pray, pray, PRAY! Although it will take longer than your fellow classmates who are able to get licensed and perhaps find a job faster than you do not give in, don't lose hope. God will never abandon us. And also remember, IF HE PUT YOU TO IT, HE'LL PULL YOU THROUGH IT.

[CNA/glorified maid]

Congratulations, on your new job ! Alot has happened since I wrote that thread. The State of FL, did in fact accept me. I took my cna state exam on Aug. 25th and passed. However, now I am still waiting to get a certificate/license #. I have to go through a level II background history check. I just got a letter in the mail today, that said I passed the level II background check. The State doesn't find me a threat to anyone. I have to wait 2 more wks for a certificate/license #. I've waited 12yrs for this, what's another 2wks? You have an advantage over me, because yours is a misdemeanor. Mine is a felony. I cant get it expunged, because I had violated a probation and I wrote an admission of guilt letter(on the advice of my public defender-to get the case over quicker, he said.......What a crock of s@#t.....) Hopefully, someone out there will hire me. I have always been honest about my record. I have nothing to be ashamed of. The title of my crime, sounds far worse, than the actual story behind it. Anyway, again congratulations on your new job. Let me know how you like it. I'll be a cna about 6months or so, then I want to go to school for LPN. Take Care...

[CNA/glorified maid]

Hey, at least you have a misdemeanor offense. I have a felony that's 12yrs old. I am a convicted felon. Always will be. I cannot get my record expunged because I wrote an admission of guilt letter(on the advice of my public defender). What a mistake.... Anyway, I had to write an explanation to the State of Florida, about my criminal history, even traffic offenses. I finally, was approved to take my State Boards(cna) on Aug.25, and I passed. I had to wait 2more wks to go through a level II background check. I just received a letter today, that I was approved for that. The State does not find me a threat to anyone. I will receive my certificate/license # in another 2wks. Wait, wait, wait, that's all I've been doing. Hopefully soon I will be working.....IF someone will hire me........ You have to be honest with every detail of your criminal history. Even the traffic offenses. I have always been honest about my record to everyone, because honestly, it's a bunch b.s. Good Luck !!!