Anyone able to get a job/pass criminal background checks with felonies?

bobnurse · May 12, 2005

Anyone trying to beat the system, pass through, or sneak by has no business in our profession....................I see so many posts like this.....You are held responsible for your actions no matter your age.......

You should contact your board of nursing to see if you are able to take the nclex or get licensure........dont waste your time going to school if you cannot.. IVe personally seen it happen twice.

To answer your question, depending on they type of felony, you can work. If its a felony involving harm or abuse to another individual.......Probably not....... Im sure theft related felonies might prevent you, but not sure.

llg, PhD, RN · May 12, 2005

My hospital reviews each case individually and assesses the risk to our patients and to ourselves. Someone with a "youthful indescretion" many years ago that was non-violent and never repeated is sometimes allowed to work if they will present little or not risk. However, recent offenses, offenses that involve violence, a repeated pattern of offenses, etc. ... people with those kinds of records are never allowed to work here.

As I said ... we judge on a case by case basis.

llg

tvccrn, ASN, RN · May 12, 2005

A first degree felony is pretty bad. I would definitely contact the BON in your state to double check before you go through the time and cost of schooling.

Also, I don't know if this is really any bearing on this at all, but your math doesn't work out. If you were 17 at the time and that was 14 years ago, you should be 31. However, your profile says you were born in 1977 which was 28 years ago. I know you said this happened ABOUT 14 years ago, but to me three years is a bit of a stretch.

z's playa · May 12, 2005

Why don't you try to get a pardon? If you've been crime free these past 14 years..and taking your age at the time of the crime...you may have a shot.

Z

Cris_AFutureRN · May 12, 2005

Anyone trying to beat the system, pass through, or sneak by has no business in our profession....................I see so many posts like this.....You are held responsible for your actions no matter your age.......
You should contact your board of nursing to see if you are able to take the nclex or get licensure........dont waste your time going to school if you cannot.. IVe personally seen it happen twice.
To answer your question, depending on they type of felony, you can work. If its a felony involving harm or abuse to another individual.......Probably not....... Im sure theft related felonies might prevent you, but not sure.

i dont need a lecture. i took responsibility for my action years ago, i have paid my debt. given that, i should of been more clear in my question, in my state you need let the board decide as to whether they will let you practice/take test or not. i wanted to know if anyone had been through the board and survived basically.

i'm 31, i was born in 74. my mistake.

BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN · May 12, 2005

Cris,

On the first day of classes, two years ago, the head of the program gave us a speech about how we needed to contact the BON if we had any criminal hx, drug abuse/rehab, or even if we had attended (or attend) AA.

Since I don't know what state you are in (I'm in Texas), my advice is to contact your BON ASAP to find out what you need to do.

Good luck to you!

Sara

MikeyBSN · May 12, 2005

If you were tried and convicted as a juvenile (under 18) then I wouldn't worry about it. As far as I understand your juvenile record is sealed, despite the gravity of the crime. It can only be re-opened and used against you to establish a pattern in an active investigation (in most states). Some states, like NJ, have added some extra legislation that requires more extensive background checks for nurses, but I don't think even NJ has added access to juvenile records. I would check with the laws of your state, chances are neither the employer nor the BON has a legal right to access your juvenile record. If that's that case, you don't even have to legally mention it to them. If it was put on your adult record, hire lawyer to write a letter to the magistrate and see if you can't have it expunged.

LydiaNN · May 12, 2005

Yes, I know someone who has a Class A felony (is that the same as 1st degree?) that has a license and is practicing. I am going strictly on what she told me, but I have no reason to doubt her. We both live in California.

Altra, BSN, RN · May 12, 2005

I'm sure this varies considerably from state to state, so contacting YOUR state's BON is the only way to get accurate information.

I just filled out the application for licensure & temporary practice permit for my state and it asks if the applicant has ever been convicted, pleaded guilty, or pleaded nolo contendere (no contest) to any crime, felony or misdemeanor. My point is, it says "ever", not "as an adult".

There are 3 steps to this:

1) the BON's decision about whether or not your history precludes your being considered for licensure

2) a school's decision to accept you, including acceptance by hospitals & agencies where you will have clinical experiences (facilities generally require nursing schools to furnish criminal & child abuse history clearances of students)

3) after graduation from nursing school, the hiring decisions of individual employers

Good luck to you.

pricklypear · May 12, 2005

All I can tell you is to be totally honest with your school, the BON and any future employers. I remember this being pounded into our heads in school. The BON will take your age and circumstances into consideration, but it does not tolerate people being evasive. Even though it was a felony, I think DUIs are considered non-violent. If it was felony assault or a weapons charge I think you would be in a different boat. Good luck!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · May 13, 2005

PA Regs:

© The Board shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as "The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act," or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless:

(1) at least ten (10) years have elapsed from the date of conviction;

(2) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the Board that he has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of patients or the public or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and

(3) the applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act.

As used in this subsection the term "convicted" shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere. An applicant's statement on the application declaring the absence of a conviction shall be deemed satisfactory evidence of the absence of a conviction, unless the Board has some evidence to the contrary.

(6 amended June 29, 2002, P.L.651, No.99

http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/lib/bpoa/20/nurs_board/nurseact.pdf

Many state regs are similar to PA's...seems like you've paid your dues, no problems past 10+ years and would be considered a candidate.

Links to all state boards to check YOUR states regs: https://allnurses.com/nursingboards-a-k.shtml

Admit info on your application...failure to do so is what gets most candidates in troubleand unable to sit for boards. Falsification of employment records = immediate non-hire and info is disclosable.

Good luck.