Background Check problem & worried

Nurses Criminal

Published

Heya friends,

I have been accepted into a lpn program starting in June at a local community college and I got a call from the secretary saying i needed to come in and speak w/ the director about my background chk. I didnt realize this was coming up but it was a arrest from 1997 domestic violence battery. I wasnt convicted , I was cleared of the charges but i had to take anger mgmt and do comm svc at the salvation army but why is it showing up on my record if the charges were cleared? Now she wants a explanation and I cant continue until. I called the clerk of court and got a certified copy of the final disposition to be mailed to me to show her, and it was so long ago I cant remember it, and didnt remember it... It was a bad relationship and that was so long ago. what do i do? im really worried now and gonna be because I really wanted to become a lpn and eventually a RN with future goals. Am i doomed now?

Actually, your school was doing you a favor by bringing to your attention that it might be a problem in nursing. I used to teach in a BSN program (state university) that did background checks on students because all the clinical sites required it, but would not say anything to the student if the check turned up something negative, even something that would probably keep them from getting licensed -- the rationale was that that was a private matter between the student and the BON. The school would happily take your tuition for the entire nursing program knowing that you probably weren't going to be able to get licensed when you were done. I thought that was a really stinky thing to do to people ...

Having said that, and since this has come up now, I would encourage you to consult now with your state Board of Nursing about whether this incident in your past will present a problem for them in issuing you a license -- before you put the effort, time, and money into completing a nursing program. I don't say that to scare you, or because I think they won't license you, but, either way, it would be better (IMHO) to know up front rather than to find out later, after you've gone through school.

Best wishes!

oh yea im very glad they review the background check and make a decision on whether or not its a go for me. I just hate it hanging over my head >

im going to worry until i get the court documents and go see them again to talk about it.

Just remember that your school doesn't speak for the BON. School and licensure are two separate processes entirely. I encourage you to also speak with the BON before you go through school.

do you know how i speak with them ? (BoN)

There is a link at the bottom of this page (under "Need Help") to all the US BONs that will give you the contact info for your BON.

Best wishes!

jmvho having dealt with the hubby's legal carp diddly related to his drinking (sober 5 years almost now), once you look at the paperwork from the court, you may want to seek a lawyer's advice. some courts do not automatically clear the stuff off your record, a lawyer or the person involved has to request it. as well, some things can be petitioned to be removed. it may cost $$ now, but it would be worth looking into if nursing is your passion and your goal.

In the health care field employers are allowed to look into your records; but in my situation, the nursing school and employer that questioned my background, allowed me to tell my side of the story.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

i've moved your post to our nursing licensure with a criminal history forum. please check the sticked threads at top of forum as has advice you seek.

ten years has passed since incident, per post you've completed recommeded classes and should be able to show to bon how you have grown to be a responsible mature,person.

best wishes moving forward. boards of nursing link found under need help, bottom of every an page.

:twocents:

Specializes in Emergency.

Again talk to your lawyer, to assume like they say.

thank you... ill update with outcome :o)

Specializes in ICU.
do you know how i speak with them ? (BoN)

The SAFEST way would be to have your attorney contact the BON on your behalf, not divulging your name. In licensure issues, it is definitely not cut & dried. Apparently minor issues in your past may result in permanent restrictions on your license & ability to practice nursing.

Consider expungement or sealing of your records. Depending on your state, it may permit you to answer "no" to the questions like "have you ever done naughty things involving small furry mammals blahblahblah?".

Safest thing would be to contact an attorney experienced with representing folks before the BON. You DO not want a run-of-the-mill criminal defense or civil law attorney. Many criminal defense attorneys have absolutely NO idea about how criminal charges in your past would impact your ability to get licensed.

See http://www.taana.org/ for The American Association of Nurse Attorneys. They can connect you with a nurse attorney in your area. An initial consultation should be either free or a minimal cost.

Good luck!

To make it simple for you. Don't be discouraged by others opinions of what your future holds. If you want to be a nurse then you can be a nurse. BUT to be licensed you need to do a determination of eligibility. Go to the Texas Board of Nursing Website and download a petition for declatory order (8 pages) Fill it out and and send it to the board accompanied by a money order for $39. The Texas Board of Nursing will review it and determine whether or not you are able to be licensed. If you get the "nod" from the board then perhaps you may want to consult an attorney to expunge the charge for your future employment benefit. Contrary to what you were told and expungement will seal the conviction record, however it's almost impossible to expunge an arrest record. Everyone makes mistakes!!!

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