A Story Of Success

Published

Well for months I have read this forum with dread that I would not be able to get my license without a fight because of my criminal background. I got in a fight almost two years ago and ended up with three charges (only one I was found guilty of). I was so scared that the fight charge would be considered a "violent" crime and that I would have to wait a extra long time to get my license. Well I took the advice of many and got on the ball. Even though I didn't graduate until May 7th, I truned in all the needed documents in April after calling the board and being told it would be ok to turn in the info before actually applying. I applied for my license on May 14th (a Saturday) and received my ATT on the following Monday. I did call that Monday just to make sure my criminal documentation was put with application. The lady told me that I probably wouldn't see anything til the end of the week, I got my ATT a couple of hours later. Well I took my NCLEX examinatin on June 3rd (this past friday), found out I passed the NCLEX on Sunday through Quick Results and my license number was posted on the GA BON today at 12 noon. I have just recently started working at a major hospital on a Med-Surg floor was immediately promoted to Clinical Nurse (RN) today when my license number was posted. I can't express how excited I am to begin this new adventure in my life and all the stress of passing boards and receiving my license behind me. I know that the board evaluates each case on an individual basis and I am by no means saying that those with the same charge or similar charges will have the same result as I did. But I have been checking this forum for months and success stories come few and far between so I always said I would post my success story once I obtained my license. I feel so blessed that besides turning in my documentation, I did not have to go through any kind of hassle to get my license. My ATT actually came before several of my classmates who don't have anything on their background. I hope this story inspires hope in some of you who are having a hard time. We are not perfect beings and its only in learning from our mistakes that we are able to become better people and teach people what we have learned. GOOD LUCK!!!!!:redbeathe

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I am truly glad to hear of your success...congratulations

And good luck.......

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That's great! Congrats! Thanks for sharing your story. I am in TN and I am waiting on my ATT. I have convictions from 7 years ago and I am praying I get my license. It's always great to hear a success story.

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Thank you for posting your results. I was never convicted of any crime; it was dismissed and I had my arrest record expunged. However, I know this will still come up and it makes me nervous. This is arrest was >10years ago when I was young and extremely irresponsible. I've changed and I can't imagine any career other than being a nurse (I'm an MA now). I will do as you did and submit all my paperwork early. I only hope it turns out as good as your story. THANKS AGAIN :)

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Specializes in Emergency Department, Critical Care.
Thank you for posting your results. I was never convicted of any crime; it was dismissed and I had my arrest record expunged. However, I know this will still come up and it makes me nervous. This is arrest was >10years ago when I was young and extremely irresponsible. I've changed and I can't imagine any career other than being a nurse (I'm an MA now). I will do as you did and submit all my paperwork early. I only hope it turns out as good as your story. THANKS AGAIN :)

Gabby820:

If the arrest record was expunged, then there should be no problem. Expungment, at least in Texas, means that all records of the arrest should have been removed from all agencies involved. And according the the Texas BON, if you have an expunged record, you can treat the record as never having occurred and disclosure is not required. As long as you have a signed order expunging the record, you should be fine.

Of course, this only really applies to Texas, though I suspect it should hold true in other states. If you are truly concerned, seek out an attorney who practices before the BON in your state and have a 30 or 60 minute consultation to give you some peace of mind.

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MagnoliaJDRN:

Thanks for your information. I have spoken to others and they feel I should consult a lawyer as well. I've read on other threads about convictions as a minor and it still came up during the licensing process even though the judge assured this person it would be sealed and it would never have to be reported. This person was fined and had to wait 90 days for the license (or something like that). I'm in NJ. I was going to contact my lawyer who helped expunge my record but I feel contacting one who is familiar with the BON in NJ would be more helpful. Do you know how I can go about that? Is it just a simple Google search? LOL

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Specializes in Emergency Department, Critical Care.
I was going to contact my lawyer who helped expunge my record but I feel contacting one who is familiar with the BON in NJ would be more helpful. Do you know how I can go about that? Is it just a simple Google search? LOL

The danger with using the lawyer who expunged the record is that they may not know about the implications of actions for a holder of a professional license. I have clients who have been told by attorney's that they don't need to disclose in cases like yours where the information was not expunged, just dismissed. And they are surprised when the BON sends the investigatory letter - and the BON cares more about the "deceit" than the actual alleged activity.

The American Association of Nurse Attorney's has an attorney referral program that can point you in the right direction: http://www.taana.org/Public/referral.asp.

Good luck to you!

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