Are there ANY success stories out there??????

ziggysgal,RN · Aug 3, 2010

I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but I consider it a success.

When I was 18 I was irresponsible with a checking account. Two of my bounced checks resulted in legal action because I didn't follow up and fix the problem. First one was a simple matter of the judge ordering payback plus court costs... second one I didn't find out about until several years later when I was stopped for a bad tail light on the way to work (embarrassing to say the least)... That one resulted in a year of probation - misdemeanor.

I failed the background check required by my school and had to submit a request for a declaratory order. I was scared that it was the end of my new career before it even began! (My school requires eligibility for licensure prior to enrollment.) I acquired all the required documentation and submitted it with a statement explaining my situation and waited. The waiting was the hardest part! After about 6 weeks, I got my authorization to proceed. In Texas, the BON policy (as I understand it) is once a past issue is 'forgiven' by the BON, it will not be held against you again (by them... no counting for future employers)... So upon successful completion of an approved LVN program, I am authorized to request a seat for NCLEX.

Assuming I don't screw things up between now and then (lol believe me I'm not planning on it and seriously working to avoid it!), I'll be an LVN in a year or so.

It requires a great deal of patience. I also must accept that BON approval is NOT the same as employer approval and I may still find difficulty locating employment. That's just one further consequence of my youthful stupidity lol...

dukesgal · Aug 6, 2010

I guess I sort of have a success story. About a year prior to beginning nursing school, I shoplifted some clothing items. It was a terrible error in judgement on my part, totally stupid thing to do. I was given a summons, but never had to go to the jail for processing, mugshot, fingerprints, etc. I went to my first court appearance to enter a plea, was told I made too much money to qualify for a court appointed attorney. I was given a chance to speak with the prosecutor, explained the situation, was polite and remorseful and she asked if I had ever been in trouble with the law before - never had and never will again! She told me that pending a check of my criminal history, I could be eligible for diversion. I came back to my next court date and was presented with all the paperwork that would place me in the diversion program for one year. I paid $50 each month to pay off my restitution and court costs, had to attend a Theft Awareness class and most importantly, stay out of trouble for the next 12 months. I was very up front with my diversion counselor about my intentions for nursing school. She told me she had seen other people kept out of nursing school as the pending charge may show up on a background check until it is dismissed. This alll occured in July. The following April I applied to several nursing schools. I received an acceptance letter to one of them. Before truly feeling like I could celebrate my acceptance, I met with the school's DON. I was very honest and open with her, told her this was an error in judgement I had made and now I simply had too much on the line to have a lapse in judgement of this magnitude. She said as long as it was not a conviction I would be OK. In August/ early Sept after fulfilling all the requirements of my diversion agreement, the charge was dismissed. Shortly after that, as I began nursing school my school processed my background check, no red flags to them.

When I sent in my application to the state to sit for my NCLEX, of course I had to check the box that stated "have you ever entered a deferred prosecution plea, etc" I had to get certified copies of my court documents, wrote a letter explaining how I had realized the error of my ways, took responsiblity for my poor judgment and how I had grown and how dear nursing was to my heart. I had an impeccable academic record in both clinical and theory and I had proven myself to my instructors and the DON, so she wrote a letter of recommendation that I included w/ the application. I sent it in a few months prior to graduation and prayed.

I received my authorization to test and passed my NCLEX within a month of graduation. I was offered a job right around this time, and passed all their background checks and while I will never forget the shame I brought upon myself, I can truly say that I knew no matter what - nothing was going to stand in the way of my dream of being a nurse. I think that your past will affect you as much as you let it.

The key to moving onward and upward is accepting responsibility for your actions and proving your ability to be a strong student and a safe, caring and compassionate nurse.

I hope my story can help others avoid the mistakes I made - this was a shameful and stressful string of events that only I brought on myself. I would never wish this for anyone. But I would also hope that I can give a ray of hope to others who do find themselves in the same situation. Best of luck to all you future nurses. :)

GODfavorsme! · Aug 7, 2010

Thanks a lot for both posts...I guess the waiting part is what's getting to me.

felicia925 · Dec 7, 2013

The waiting part is hard for me as well

grubb250 · Dec 10, 2013

My story is one of success. I was a wild child, my parents weren't around much so I made some very bad choices. I have a couple underage drinkings, 2 dwi's, disorderly conduct and when I was 18 I had a 17 year old girlfriend so a 4th degree sexual assault. I gave up drinking 3 years ago and gave my life to Jesus. I never had an issue getting into school or clinicals. I have worked in both of the major hospitals in my area, without a single question about my record. Anyways I graduated in may applied to take nclex and was denied!!! I was shocked!! So I got a really good lawyer, and filed an appeal and won!! I was hired in school at a major hospital and they were very understanding of my situation . I took nclex last week and past with 75 questions. So get a good lawyer it really helps!!!!