So ive decided i want to be a nurse.. but

Nurses Criminal

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  1. can i become a nurse in michigan?

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Hi my names josh.. well im 25 years old and right now im about to get my ged. ive been studying for about a month so im pretty confident.. :) last week i was looking at all the different career paths and i picked nursing because of the higher pay and because i know i could enjoy this type of job.. this is definitely for me even though i never thought i would be a male nurse haha.. only problem is my criminal history.. i have one (disturbing the peace -fighting) and a (fighting in public).. i also have a driving on a suspended.

i really want this and ill work extra hard in school but i have these three misdemeanors. how much does that hurt my chances?

well the job market for nurses here is supposed to go up.. im not sure of exaxtly how much. i thought that sense i would be a male nurse it would be easier for me then the girls who went to school with me...

I thought it would be easy to get into nursing sense im a guy.. it really sucks defending myself may have ruined my future..

growing up in detroit u learn to push back when pushed. i just dont see any other 2 year degrees worth getting with this econemy..

Specializes in OB/GYN/Neonatal/Office/Geriatric.

If you got snagged for driving on a suspended license that means you have other charges--the one(s) leading to get it suspended. I am sorry, but I think it would be very difficult for you. You might need to think of another career path. Especially since you mentioned money as the reason for wanting to be a nurse. You need to get your life together, do some volunteer or community work to improve your character image, and let some time pass. You can go ahead and take some general ed courses that you would need for college, then decide if nursing is your calling. The GED is not a problem--that's what I have. Good luck.

Another thought is to see if any of the charges against you were dismissed once you completed what the court mandated you to. If they were, it should show up as "dismissed" on your record, and you could go to the Probate dept. and see about getting your record looked at to not have the dismissed charges show up on your record. If they were not dismissed, that is another story. Also, if there were juvenile records, then they also could be hidden as to not show up on a CORI. I am NOT giving legal advice, just to look at what exactly a CORI form would say about you, or a criminal backround check.

Another thought is to go through an EMT course of study. It doesn't take as long as a degree, you can look into the criminal stuff there--I think it is just felony convictions in most states but research it, and it will get you working in the medical field sooner and perhaps while you continue with a college degree.

Good luck and let us know what happens!

It still wouldn't hurt to call, but a quick look on the MI BON website FAQ section revealed this:

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[TD=colspan: 2][h=2]If I have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor, will this stop me from obtaining a Michigan license?[/h][/TD]

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[TD=colspan: 2]This type of information will be reviewed on an individual basis. We ask that you submit your application, fee and information regarding the occurrence. The Board will review your file and make a decision at that time. Please keep in mind that we do take into consideration the type of conviction, the age that you were when the incident occurred and the time that has elapsed since the conviction.

LARA - If I have been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor, will this stop me from obtaining a Michigan license?

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Specializes in CVICU.

Work on while getting your pre-req's. Many (per-req's) will go with other career paths in the health care field, if you decide to change your path.

I'm a high school drop-out only completing the 8th grade....college is not difficult compared to the real world. You will be fine, just don't let up. Make straight A's and you will be providing proof you have changed.

Specializes in nursing education.

Maybe consider something like community counseling or AODA counseling where real-world experiences like yours are seen as a positive, rather than a negative (being able to relate to people).

Wishing you well on your GED and future plans.

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

I'm a nursing student in Michigan (one of State universities) and we have to fill background check paperwork every semester. It says explicidly there that no student ever convicted with any type of felony associated with violence toward any living creature is allowed to do clinicals. We also had to do fingerprints and they were run through federal database. They even found all three sets of mine and had me explaining why I had to pass the security check more than once.

We were told plainly before beginning that there will be no graduation if anything more than plain speeding ticket "happens" because the school didn't want students who were likely to get problems with BON and licensing.

In addition, many places want you to drive to clinicals. My school requires students to have unrestricted driver's licence.

I think that other schools may have similar requirements, as they come from hospitals. I understand that the rules might be perceived as unfair, but it would be even more unfair if you spend time and money on pre-reqs and even get accepted, and then find that you cannot continue because there's no hospital which will allow you to walk in it. School counselors won't tell you that, as they care only about admissions. Ask you lawyer to write to a Dean or Director of Nursing a letter (it may identify you only as a "client") with your situation's description and current stellar recommendations, and see what she says. Try to find nursing schools which accepted students with criminal history before.

P.S. if you have or had any problems with anger management, look for professional help and solve them as completely as possible before you even think about applying. You'll need it.

You need to contact the Michigan State Board of Nursing and ask them if the three misdemeanor convictions will effect you when it comes down to getting your nursing license. As far as I know they look at convictions only. I know felony convictions can hold you back, I don't know if misdemeanor convictions are as bad or whether they are more lenient with them.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/cis_fhs_bhser_rnpkt_74438_7.pdf

Good luck!

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