Background Check Prior To School

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 26, 2013

Moved to Nursing Licensure with a Criminal History forum for more of a response.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 26, 2013

Unfortunately, most if not all BRNs will not "pre-approve" your criminal history; instead they will wait until you actually apply for licensure and submit all necessary documentation. This is because they review applicants on a case-by-case basis...and two nurses with similar criminal histories may receive two very different outcomes.

This does put you in a bind, since you could end up going all the way through nursing school just to find the BRN slamming the door in your face when you apply for licensure. The fact that a nursing school may decide to accept your criminal record doesn't mean that the BRN has to welcome your record with open arms.

You could call/write the BRN (do it anonymously by e-mail if you prefer) to see what they have to say about your record, but IMO don't expect a definite Yay or Nay. But they may be able to give you some helpful information to help you decide if nursing school is worth the risk.

Best of luck.

MissM.RN, BSN, RN · May 31, 2013

Darn - sorry you're going through this OP. I wonder if you could get at least one of the charges expunged, maybe not the felony though. You're level-headed for thinking about this ahead of time, meaning ahead of the nursing school investment! If it were me, I might talk to your possible school first. they may not grant "clinical clearances" for anyone with a felony. That might answer your question. good luck to you

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 31, 2013

Darn - sorry you're going through this OP. I wonder if you could get at least one of the charges expunged, maybe not the felony though. You're level-headed for thinking about this ahead of time, meaning ahead of the nursing school investment! If it were me, I might talk to your possible school first. they may not grant "clinical clearances" for anyone with a felony. That might answer your question. good luck to you

Consulting with a lawyer to see what can be done--if anything--about your criminal record is a good idea. Getting an expungement for whatever you can would definitely help you with schools and with the job search. However, keep in mind even if you did get a charge expunged, you'd still have to report it to the BRN.

db2xs · Jun 8, 2013

Xtrememedic, I reported a drug-related misdemeanor from 1999 that was sealed in 2000. I was nervous, etc., and annoyed that no one in nursing school told me that I would have to deal with this come application time for NCLEX/licensure.

It truly is a case-by-case situation. I talked to a licensing attorney, who said that the age of the arrest/conviction (i.e., old) was in my favor. I would say that to you too, but I don't know what to say about two convictions, since I only had one. However, I don't know how old you were at the time--you may have been extremely young--and I think that if you can provide evidence of community participation and/or some sort of "good citizenship"-type activity post-second conviction, that could be in your favor. The application is normally two pages--mine was one-inch thick.

Could you ask advice from the school(s) you apply to? The president of the Board of Nursing came to my school to teach a class on state nursing laws and I told her about my situation. She told me she knows nurses with previous felonies who have gotten their licenses--again, it's an individual evaluated thing. So don't lose hope!

I know it is nerve-wracking, spending all this time and energy to get into a school and possibly not be able to get a license. It is unfortunate that the schools don't seem to care one way or another and will often just take our money. I think schools and BONs should get more aligned.

If you have any other questions or would like to hear more of my experience, don't hesitate to PM me. I just went through four months of hell wrestling with my application and all the paperwork and talking with attorneys.

I am happy to say that this week I received a letter from the BON approving my application to take the licensing exam! All that hard work paid off. Don't lose hope!

mul7371 · Jun 10, 2013

I just wanted to say that PRIOR to even being able to apply for admission to my particular nursing school in Texas, if you have any issues that you aren't able to unequivocably answer "no" to on your NCLEX Application -- whether your issue is criminal, mental illness/treatment, past drug addictions/treatment, whether you're the subject of grand jury investigation, ever been denied renewal of any professional license, etc. -- you have to submit what is called an Endorsement Application and all backup documentation along with your fingerprints to the BON and await their reply, which might take several months. They will send a letter approving or disapproving your Application and will in addition say that upon meeting graduation requirements and paying required fees, you are ELIGIBLE to sit for the NCLEX and to practice as a Graduate Nurse.

So I would call that a pre-approval. I have also heard that if additional issues come up AFTER the BON issued the pre-approval letter, you will have an investigation and you have to submit backup documentation, etc. I'm sure that in this case, obviously, you would be held to a much different standard than pre-nursing education.