Arrests?

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I was reading about the DWI being a possible precluder to taking boards and I am wondering if an arrest is also a precluder and do you have to disclose an arrest/charge if the case was dismissed?

I was arrested for DWI and the case was ultimately dismissed so there is nothing on my record. I don't want to open that can of worms if it doesn't need to be opened.

I have passed criminal background checks since that time...a couple due to clinicals and work...does the board of nursing go into more in depth searching of your past or do they just do a criminal background check like schools and places of employment?

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Think the standard is a conviction, not an arrest.

Don't believe the Board can legitimately go beyond that.

You're cool.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Check your state Nurse Practice Act. Where I live (Oregon), they want to know about arrests and/or charges for any misdemeanor or felony, regardless of the disposition of the case. I had to disclose an arrest in California when I was only 21 (drunk & disorderly, the charge was dropped because the officer never read me my rights). It didn't have any bearing on my license, but I knew better than to lie about it because they do FBI checks here too.

A word to the wise: It can't hurt to disclose. It CAN hurt if you're caught lying about it!

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I can't answer your question with authority, but I will say this. Just because you got a ticket for DWI doesn't mean you were driving impaired. Cops aren't always right. It is no secret that we have people in prison convicted of crimes they did not commit. A year ago I got a ticket for illegal passing. The cop was heading the opposite direction of me and had just come around a corner. What he said I did (or what he said he saw) just did not happen. So I go to court, but the judge takes his word for it. Had the judge taken my word, it would not have gone on my record and like your dropped DWI, it did not happen. In your case, the system didn't feel like you broke the law (or couldn't prove it), there is no record of it, so why offer up this info?

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Originally posted by mjlrn97

Check your state Nurse Practice Act. Where I live (Oregon), they want to know about arrests and/or charges for any misdemeanor or felony, regardless of the disposition of the case. I had to disclose an arrest in California when I was only 21 (drunk & disorderly, the charge was dropped because the officer never read me my rights). It didn't have any bearing on my license, but I knew better than to lie about it because they do FBI checks here too.

A word to the wise: It can't hurt to disclose. It CAN hurt if you're caught lying about it!

Oh my God...FBI checks? That is a little extreme isn't it? I don't think I am wanted by the FBI for anthing LOL.

What type of information exactly does the FBI keep on people? Are you saying the FBI has records on EVERYONE of everything that they ever did that involved the law?

It seems a little extreme for a nursing license. I can see if it is a matter of national security but geez.....

Also from what I am hearing (reading other threads) it is starting to sound like it is harder for a nurse to keep her license due to prior minor criminal infractions than for a physician to keep theirs due to medical malpractice. This seems really stupid.

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Larry, thanks for the reply...

Todd...LOL to your quote!!

I totally know what you mean about cops not always being right. People just kind of take for granted that if you are arrested that means you ARE a criminal. It's like innocent until PROVEN guilty? What's that? And too often guilt is a matter of did you have money for a lawyer or not and did you have money to fight it out or not. DNA is proving that innocent (usually poor) people are CONVlCTED all the time!! It makes me angry that people can be so powerless unless they have the money to fight. I had the money and am grateful for that but I think of the people who don't and it's like what the cops say is Gods word. If people really knew what alot of cops are really like and what types of things they get away with they might think twice about believing them without question!!

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Originally posted by bluenurse

Larry, thanks for the reply...

Todd...LOL to your quote!!

I totally know what you mean about cops not always being right. People just kind of take for granted that if you are arrested that means you ARE a criminal.

Or if you get a DWI you are an alcoholic ;)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Home Health.

I can top your DWI and raise you a DUI!!! I got a ticket for....are you ready for this????? NO HEADLIGHT!!! To make matters worse.. I got pulled over in front of my HOUSE!!! At 8.30pm in the dark!!! I have NEVER gotten a ticket before!!!! The cop was arrogant and rude and he lied to the chief of police. He was a Vincennes UNIVERSITY cop!! He told his chief that he chased me for 12 blocks RL&S [red lights and siren]. I live 5 blocks from campus. I had been to the library working on my math. It was raining and I turned off 2nd street onto College. I saw the cop pull out from 3rd street going the OPPOSITE direction. I turned on 5th street, went 1 and 1/2 blocks. Saw the car behind me and waited for him to go around so I could parralell park. He turnrd his lights on and I opened my car door because my window didn't work.

He walked to the front of my car, looked at the headlight and asked for my license etc. I had no idea what I had done wrong.

I got a ticket for $87.50 + court costs!!!

I went to the prosecutor's office and told them that I had fixed the problem and they dismissed the ticket and court date.

Two months later my husband got a ticket...are you ready?? For no license plate light and an expired drivers license. I HATE the VU cops! They stop people who are law abiding and make us feel like trash!!

I have absolute respect for our city, county and state guys just not the University Cops. They have full range of power in this city and can write a ticket or arrest someone ANYWHERE in the city!!

Do I need to report my ticket to the State board of Nursing?

Thanks!!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

No---infractions (e.g. traffic tickets) aren't considered criminal offenses in most states.

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Alot of DWI's are given to alcoholics but the only reason for that is because they do it more often thus have a higher chance of getting caught.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

You're welcome, Blue!

Little further clarification: In PA, the Nurse Practice Act and the Practical Nursing Law state that "the Board shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act..." But even this is forgiven 10 years after the conviction if the applicant demonstrates he's/she's been rehabilitated.

BTW, here a conviction includes a nolo plea (pleading no contest to the charge) or an admission of guilt.

Hope this helps. Everyone may wanna check their particular state laws for certainty.

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