afraid of negative background check

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hi folks,

i have been accepted for spring of 2009 into the RN program at the community college i'm attending, and i am required to submit a background check. long story short. during my senior year in high school (2001) i was involved in a fight and was charge with misdemeanor assault with a weapon; this experience has changed my life positively, but i am afraid this will have a negative impact on whats ahead.

i can expunge or seal my record if i have to, so only government agencies, or law enforcement can see my record. this process may be long, and i have no idea how to do it myself. i can also get a lawer to seal my record, but that will be costly. i wish i could go back to change the past, but i cant. has anyone gone through this process please enlighten me.

my concern is will they give me the boot after finding out my background?

i am scared to death. ill be truly sadden if all the hard work i've put into the nursing career deminishes. :cry:

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I think a laywer is probably the best person to go to with this, as we can't give legal advice.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

questions we seem to be encountering more and more often have to do with the effects of a criminal history on nursing licensure:

  • is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a criminal history and if so, can i get a job?
  • is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a mip, dui, or other related charges?
  • what happens if you are charged or convicted of a crime after licensure?
  • can i go to nursing school and/or be licensed/be employed if my record has been sealed or expunged?
  • will i be able to go to nursing school and/or attend clinicals with a criminal record?
  • what can happen if i receive a mip/dui/dwi or other charge while still in school?

these are questions that the members of allnurses.com cannot answer. the only reliable source of information is your state board of nursing.

if you are a nursing student or are interested in becoming a nurse you need to contact your bon and/or your school of nursing directly. you need to be completely candid with them as to the nature and disposition of the crimes. each board of nursing makes a determination on a case by case basis and some are willing to issue a declarative statement in advance.

good luck. don't lose hope.

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