Nurses with criminal background

Nurses Criminal

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flipnurse

13 Posts

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.

Okay so I think I replied to nother one of your posts but just incase I am doing it again. I was a dumb teen who got introuble for a couple of things. So I delt with the BRN and recently tested. I have my cases expunged and a job offer. My lawyer says that "by law" I do not have to report my cases. He also said that with the background searches available I should devulge my past "just incase". I DONT want to!!! I am a married mother who changed my life!!! It is so embarressing!!! So it looks like it worked out for you... CONGRATS!!! I live in Ca where do you live??? What do you suggest I do... tell or keep it quiet? I am concerned because one involves iunder the influence oh and recieving stolen property. Both look horriable!!! PLEASE HELP.

McBunny

20 Posts

I also live in california, so long as it is not a fingerprint background check I would suggest not disclosing it.but if you want to simply tell them th that it was a mistake in your past, and since then you haven't done anything to disrupt the law. But be honest. Best of luck to you. Let me know how it goes.

dawno

132 Posts

I just came across this thread and OMG, I'm in the SAME position! I'm also in Houston and am freaking out about the BON approving me sit for the NCLEX-RN but mostly concerned about getting a job afterward. I did speak to an attorney yesterday and found out that I could have most of my things expunged but I will still have a Class A misdemeanor from 11 years ago that can not be removed or non-disclosed. Also, I have a good friend who is the human resources director at Texas Children's and she told me that even you have a misdemeanor for jaywalking, they will not hire you. What kind of job am I going to get? I just NEVER anticipated this. Am I just SCREWED? :banghead:

Devildog

22 Posts

Hopefully this will help everyone. It appears that every state in every healthcare profession is tightening the rules

significantly. The state of Florida has a new terrible law on the books that is effective in 2009 forward. Try looking at the effective date of any new laws to see if you are exempt (This is what happened to me). If that lawyer does administrative work(State boards) keep his name. NEVER NEVER sign an application that is incorrect. You will be denied as not truthful. Put in your cover letter that you completed the application based on your understanding of the questions. Everyone needs to understand that there are too many healthcare professionals licensed and the boards do not care. Believe it or not but student loans now have caused a glut of licensed professionals. We can debate that at another time. I think you are ok and find it hard to believe that a misdemeanor 11 years ago would deny you from a job. Good luck

nnurse27

26 Posts

Was your Class A misd. a deffered Adjucation? did you have and complete probation? I had a Class A misd that was sealed by the courts because i completed my probation

BJBAILEY1972

111 Posts

Need some advice. I have a friend who is wanting to apply to nursing school and has to complete the declaratory order for Texas. They are writing their personal statement explaining their offense (which was expunged / dismissed). Can anyone offer advice on what to put in the letter? I have no idea what to tell them... I know that the crime was felony theft, they made full restitution and did community service and the case was then expunged and the charges dismissed against them... but I honestly don't know what to tell them to write in the letter...they have not had any additional legal issues prior or after....and they are streessssing to say the least...

Any advice you can give would be helpful...

nnurse27

26 Posts

If your friend received probation he or she is not eligible for an expunction but rather, an order of non disclosure if the probation was sucessfully completed.

As far as the letter of explantion, I would say just be honest because they see EVERYTHING!

Goodluck!

BJBAILEY1972

111 Posts

Thank you for your suggestion. Actually, yes it is expunged and yes she did get probation. You are most certainly able to get an expungement (in CA) with probation - as a matter of fact, you cannot get an expungement without doing probation.

I have a lot, A LOT of knowledge on the expungement issue...I was going to school to be a paralegal prior to chaning over to nursing. Unfortunately, what little expertise I have - ends at trying to tell her what to write in her letter to the board...however, honesty to me, is always the best policy... you can deal with the truth, it's deception or attempting to hide or evade that causes problems...

nnurse27

26 Posts

I guess in texas is quite different, but yes honesty is the best policy

lford

1 Post

WOW!!!!!!!!!! I was doing research for my survival class, and i stumbled on this site. I am currently enrolled in college seeking an Associate Degree in Nursing and I must say what I read has posed some serious career change questions for me. IMGosh! I am just a freshman and I am so Very Thankful to learn all these things before I having deal to with it. I have a old misdemeanor Class A for carrying a concealed weapon. My attorney got in thrown out after I took a gun permit class 10yrs ago and some traffick infractions. Reading this has made me want to reconsider my choice of profession.

jp1180

17 Posts

So does anyone know how long it took to get the decision back from the BON? I submitted a declaratory order and was told it went into review on Nov 7th. I live in Texas and I have called the BON multiple times to check on the status and have been told 2 different time frames on when I should expect a decision.

One woman told me 45 calendar days from Nov 7th, and I explicitly asked...so I count everyday even weekends and holidays from that date...just to clarify what she was saying and she told me yes everyday starting at that date.

Then another woman told me 45 business days from Nov 7th. So I also asked this woman...only Monday thru Friday then?... She said yes and also told me not to count any holidays such as Veterans day, Thanksgiving and the Monday after Christmas.

I have called probably around 10 different times and still they will not allow me to speak to a supervisor so I can have my questions answered about which is the correct timeframe. I am becoming very discouraged because I have been accepted to a Nursing Program here in Texas but the school won't even allow me to start until I get a letter from the BON approving me to take the NCLEX.

I just don't understand how a school can keep you from attending when it should be my decision whether or not I want to spend the money on attendance without knowing whether or not I will be approved. It just seems that they don't have the right to not allow me to attend when they have already sent me an acceptance letter.

LuArciga

2 Posts

OMG, I am so glad I came across this post. I am in the same situation as many of you and feel sooo powerless!! I live in GA and I had a theft misdemeanor back in '98. When filling out my license application I said NO to any arrests or such; at the time it was an hones yet maybe dumb mistake.

For some reason I understood to declare any previous arrests related to drugs or drunk driving (don't really know why this got stuck in my mind but that's what I remember reading). Anyway, later I received an email stating they found an arrest and needed documentation and a letter of explanation. I sent the documentation and shortly after I received permission to take NCLEX so I thought they had reviewed my file and had approved me for license if I passed, but I guess that's not the way it works. Took NCLEX and passed Nov. 12 and now waiting to see what the BON will decide. How long will this take??????

After reading so many similar stories I just feel relieved in a way, now I know that I am not the only one, but sooo defeated on the other hand. As many of you have mentioned, so much work, sleepless nights, stress and years away from my husband and kids and all for nothing!!!!

I still have a little hope that maybe the BON will decide to license me but loosing that hope just a little more each day that goes by with no answer :(

I really think there should be some kind of process in which a person gets to be informed of the way the BON works (I think a couple of you mentioned your school did this for you but my school didn't) and a way that the BON could let you know before you start nursing school if you would qualify for a license or not depending on previous legal issues.

As far as the job issue I do have a question, I am a surgical technician and have worked in hospitals in Texas and Georgia and have always declared my previous arrest and have had no problem finding a job, as a nurse do the hiring requirements change? Right now I hold a position as a surgical tech in Ga and have been offered a nurse position if I get licensed, could the hospital later change their mind although I am already an employee? Just wondering.

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