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Discussion

Background checks/need help

My school is starting to perform background checks next semester and I am freaking out. In 1999 I had a Probation before Judgment charge and in 2000 I had a CDS misdemeanor charge. I have already completed 2 semesters of clinical at the 2 different hospitals that my school uses but I'm afraid that I will be kicked out of nursing school after background checks. I have been told that I should not have a problem getting my RN License and I'm in the process of getting my CNA license from Maryland. If anyone has some advise I would really appreciate it.

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    Were you ever asked about a criminal history in any of your application forms, etc.? If so, did you answer those questions honestly? If you are caught in a lie, that could be your biggest problem and you would need to address that right away.

    If you were never asked ... and/or never lied ... then your only worry is whether or not your criminal record will cause the hospitals to deny you access to their clinical facility. Are you sure your previous offenses will show up in the background check? If so, the only thing you can do is contact the school and ask them what their policy will be for students. As for the hospitals, you could either wait for them to rule on your case in the normal course of events through time, or you could contact them and ask them to review your case before you invest any more money/time into your nursing education. I handle such matters for my hospital and I ocassionally have students who submit their paperwork to us prior to beginning school to ask what our decision will be to help them decide whether or not to go to nursing school in my region or not.

    Gather any records (e.g. court records) and be prepared to share them with the hospitals -- and be humble, admit past mistakes, discuss what you learned from those events and how you have not and will not disobey the law again. You will be asking for a chance to show that you are a law-abiding, good citizen who can be trusted with the well-being of others. Don't blow it by being argumentative or overly defensive. Good luck to you.

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    I had a misdemeanor from 5 years previous when I applied to nursing school. I had to sign a release saying that hospitals may or may not let me come there and they weren't responsible if I couldn't complete nursing school. One year down and one to go and I haven't had a problem yet and I also just got a job at a hospital, so don't give up! Let Go and let God! Good luck!

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    Mine is from 4.5 years ago and I'm freaking out!! It's a dismissed misdemeanor so I don't know how its going to go. We go to our orientation and background checks on July 11.

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    Just out if curiosity, why are they just now performing background checks? Especially since you have already been in two hospitals? We couldn't step foot in our hospital until our backgrounds checks came through.

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    Mine is from 4.5 years ago and I'm freaking out!! It's a dismissed misdemeanor so I don't know how its going to go. We go to our orientation and background checks on July 11.

    I would think a dismissed misdemeanor is not going to to be a problem since you were not convicted!

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    • Author

    Thank you for the quick reply! I have not lied about my criminal history at all. The only thing the application package mentioned concerning background checks is that some institutions may require one. Like I stated before, I have performed clinical 2 separate times at 2 different hospitals and 1 of the hospitals are requiring background checks starting August of this year. My charges do show up 1 misdemeanor CDS from 2000 and PBJ from 1999. Also my wife works at this hospital and I have many friends that work in many dept.s at the hospital. I had though about getting them expunged but I looked at it as I am human, I made poor choices at that time, since then I have completely changed my life, it has been 13 years. I am a combat veteran that was having some difficulty dealing with some issues back then. Again thank you for the assistance.

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    • Author

    It is something that 1 particular hospital is starting as of August 2013. I have already had clinical there on 2 separate occasions.

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    • Author

    NayNayRN,

    That is great and congrats on making it to the half way point. I agree and although I am still a little worried, I have let go and given it to God!

    Thank you and God Bless!

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