RN with dropped misdemeanor

Nurses Criminal

Published

I recently graduated and passed the NCLEX. I got a letter from the IL BON asking for information about an arrest (my one and only arrest) when I was 18.

I was arrested for domestic battery but not convicted; the charges were dropped. Basically I had a fight with my mom and she called the police.

I have nothing else on my record at all.

On the CCA form it asks about felonies and if you're a sex offender, to which I answered no because I have none of these.

I also had no issue getting into nursing school. I have no convictions and I was not asked about arrests and therefore did not volunteer information not requested.

I am nervous that this will screw me over somehow, that after I've come this far I'll be denied the privileges to do what I love.

Will someone please shed some light on what I can expect? I'm really freaked out by this whole thing.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

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From what I have learned, they all want to know about ANYTHING, dropped or expunged, or plead out, etc. I think it is very sad, because if they courts find that you are good enough to have it dropped or erased, you should not be judged for it again! Fortunately, ONLY the board will ever know this information (through borough investigation records), as employers cannot access anything that was not a conviction, which is also why getting into school wasn't a problem. However, the board may make you jump thru a few hoops to prove you aren't abusive. Maybe a psych evaluation or something. Anyway, in TN at least, you must send a certified copy of the police report (which is the worst part, because that can be cop's or the other party's opinion before the truth has been ruled upon!), a letter of self explanation (your side of the story), proof of it being dropped and/or whatever you had to do to get that done.

It truly upsets me that they are allowed to dig into any history that makes you *look* bad, even if it ended up to be a misunderstanding, often something years ago...in your case a simple family feud. Unfortunately, they could view anything domestic as a threat to patients...they assume you have a temper that could cause patient abuse. In most cases, a history of battery or domestic abuse is definitely an indication to how you may treat patients with whom you don't get along, and more than one charge of the same puts you up for possible revocation, so be careful. In your self explanation, let them know that you didn't disclose the info only because of how the question was worded (and I'd quote it), not because you wanted to hide anything. You'll be fine tho, they just want all their t's crossed so if in the future another similar situation happens, they can refer to your past and judge you on a pattern of trouble in this area, handing out appropriate discipline. Good luck! You'll get your license for sure, it just may take a little longer since they have to have the paperwork reviewed.

A friend of mine has a similar issue with an arrest from 15 years ago. She even sent all the ppw to the CA BRN. She was told they need more, but it will work out. Cali says an enforcement delay puts your application back 1-2 months

Thank you for the helpful feedback everyone! I have chosen to hire legal help because I'm really no good at navigating this on my own. It was expensive but cheaper than being denied a license after all this time and effort. All I can do now is hope for the best. This incident occurred years ago, which my attorney said will work in my favor. My dream is to be an ER/trauma nurse and its really all I think about. I hope whoever is deciding my application will see that I have turned a new leaf and accomplished a lot since that time. I know I'm not the only person has made a mistake as a teenager. Thank you again for your replies, they have helped tremendously :)

I had a misdemeanor for a battery charge because if an argument with a girl at work and she called the police. On the court documents it says I was never convicted. So I'm kind if in the same boat. Does this affect my chances or anything like that?

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