Anyone know of Nursing School who will accept me with an arrest (dismissed)

[blessed49]

I was arrested in June of 08 for misdemeanor vandalism. The charges were dismissed but the arrest is still on my background check. I have ONE MORE pre-requisite to take at college in the Spring of '09 & planned to apply to the Nursing program in Fall of '09. I called the admissions to the Nursing program and they said that the "clinical settings" would reject me because of the "positive" background check, which only shows an arrest and subsequent dismissal! I then called a few other Nursing schools in my area and they told me the same thing! What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? But I've seen many posts on this website by people who have gone to Nursing school with actual convictions on their record! I would be curious to know which schools those were? Apparently some programs are more forgiving (& fair) than others. Anybody have any experience with this?

[Altered]

These people, most likely, had a clean record during the application process

[nursingROXX]

It shouldn't show up on a background check unless you were CONVICTED of a misdemeanor or felony. If it was dismissed (you were not found guilty), its not a conviction (or a charge) and it shouldnt show up on any background check. I also couldn't see them turning somebody away with a misdemeanor, driving over 20mph is considered reckless driving, thats a midemeanor.

I think that the schools are already crowded w/waiting lists and such, and somebody calling saying they were arrested, its just easier for the person on the other end to say they wont take you, rather than actually looking or asking the right people. My opinion though!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Sorry - we can't provide legal advice - best bet to contact a lawyer in your area familiar with these issues.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

because you have a recent arrest, it will be difficult to get accepted into any program due to possitive background check which many clinical sites will not accept.

advice from former licensing prosecutor for the state of california:

obtaining a nursing license in california if you have a criminal record - part 1

according to attorney...who specializes in helping people obtain state licenses, it is “essential” to have your record cleared to the fullest extent possible before applying. you can petition the court to seal the record of arrests that did not lead to a conviction. once sealed, the ugly mark caused by an arrest will be off of your record. if you had a conviction, you may be eligible to have the conviction expunged. while you still need to disclose the conviction to the board, saying you “had a conviction that is now considered dismissed” sounds much better than saying you “have a conviction.”

obtaining a nursing license in california if you have a criminal record - part 2

protecting your professional license in ca