Background checks

dylansmom7 · Feb 14, 2012

I'm not sure what state your in and therefore, what the laws are regarding "dismissed" charges, etc. However, it may be that the arrest/s may only show up on a "live Scan" and not on your background check if the charges were dismissed. If I were you, I would do my own background check and find out what is on it. You will know before school if you will be able to do clinicals. Good luck!

FLmomof5 · Feb 20, 2012

Depends upon the state. Your reality is that the court told you that the charges were "dismissed". What you really had was a PTI (pre-trial intervention). Most likely, this WILL show on a BON background check and will have to be explained. It most likely will NOT show on an employers background check.

Will it hurt your chances? Depends upon how long ago this occurred and what you have done to rehabilitate yourself. You have to explain in writing what you learned from this and how you realize it was wrong and you will never do it again. You can't say, "My friend convinced me to do something stupid" That will be seen as you not accepting responsibility for your decision to commit a crime.

That being said, IMHO, I think you will be fine.

anemone · Feb 21, 2012

Thanks for the answers. I live in California, forgot to mention it.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 21, 2012

Yes, the arrest will show up on a LEDS check, and unless Cali is vastly different from Oregon, the application for nursing school will ask you directly if you have ever been arrested, charged, or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony. You have been arrested AND charged, thus you have to disclose the truth or your application will be rejected, plain and simple.

I would suggest contacting your court of record to find out what bearing, if any, the disposition of your case might have on your ability to get into school in the short term, and to obtain licensure in the long run. By the time you are through your program, it will have been several years since the crime, and you shouldn't have any trouble getting licensed as long as you make it clear that you accept full responsibility for making a bad decision and will never repeat the offense. (IOW, don't drag your 'friend' into it; the BON doesn't care---your 'friend' isn't the one asking to be placed in a position of public trust).

Best of luck to you. A lot of us have made mistakes, especially when we were young and foolish; thank God those mistakes don't necessarily have to define us for the rest of our lives. :)

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2012

How do you find out about your record? I had a DUI 16 years ago and 26 years ago. 1)I have done a background check on myself, 2)one was done for entrance to my program, 3) one was done for my teaching job, 4) one was done at church for me to volunteer and 5)I had fingerprints done for my job. I guess I could ask my boss if they showed up.

Both were misdemeanors, 1st was "don't get in trouble again and it will be gone" there was no conviction for the first one (1986) but i think there might have been in 1996. When it asks about criminal history, I have always answered "no" because they are usually prefaced with "other than minor traffic offenses."

I am getting ready to do my state board reg.

Both were in states other than where I live now.

I want to be honest, but if they don't show up....

I'm confused

Trauma Columnist · Mar 4, 2012

I would consult a lawyer.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 11, 2012

How do you find out about your record? I had a DUI 16 years ago and 26 years ago. 1)I have done a background check on myself, 2)one was done for entrance to my program, 3) one was done for my teaching job, 4) one was done at church for me to volunteer and 5)I had fingerprints done for my job. I guess I could ask my boss if they showed up.
Both were misdemeanors, 1st was "don't get in trouble again and it will be gone" there was no conviction for the first one (1986) but i think there might have been in 1996. When it asks about criminal history, I have always answered "no" because they are usually prefaced with "other than minor traffic offenses."
I am getting ready to do my state board reg.
Both were in states other than where I live now.
I want to be honest, but if they don't show up....
I'm confused

From the HR representative at my facility: better you be upfront and reveal something even if it might not show up on the background check, than to not admit it and be caught by surprise when it does show up. Depending on the services/software used and the databases searched, something may not appear on one background check that does on another.

If you have specific questions, your best bet is to contact a lawyer and/or your state's BON.

chelc13 · Jul 17, 2012

Hi guys I was wondering when you apply for the nursing program will a background check be done? And if so would an arrest hurt my chances? :/
I made a stupid decision about 2years ago that I terribly regret. A friend and I shoplifted some items and were arrested but our records were clean before that so the judge allowed us to amend for it by paying restitution and doing community service, which I am awfully grateful for. The case was dismissed but the PA told me that the arrest will remain on my record. Will this greatly decrease my chances and hold me back?

I was background checked when I applied to nursing school and my misdemenor from age 17 was on there. I got a call from the dean and explained my situation and how I am a different person. I was granted entry. I do not know the laws in california, but if you do get into nursing school, IMMIDIATLEY make sure you have a clear record, or if you do not, and you have at one point submitted fingerrpints, you will have to explain them before you test for nclex, before you get your license, and it will show up on a livescan for a job. Again if you have a record, after getting accepted, file the necessary paperwork to get your record sealed, or expunged because if you do not, you WILL regret it. I suggest doing this now because the paper work takes about 6 months to get filed. GOOD LUCK!

pickles100 · Aug 6, 2012

What is the best way to do your own background check?

Xomckeenx4 · Jul 17, 2017

Wondering if anyone can help. I had an abusive alcoholic boyfriend for 7 years. He hunts and had a hunting knife in my car and we were fighting and he had it and cut himself and said it was me so I called the cops and automatically was blamed at fault even tho I wasn't drunk when he said it was mine bc he's on probation and is facing jail time as it is so he put everything on me. Well, charges of aggravated assault wth deadly weapon were dismissed and everything is in the process of being expunged. I applied to a nursing school and in sept I will find out if I was accepted or. Not. Expungement may be 3-6months according to lawyer so may not be expunged but will come up as dismissed. Will these charges even tho it was dismissed show up on background check along with arrest? Will I be accepted in school even tho it was dismissed and is being expunged?

Snemati34 · Jan 16, 2018

Yes , it will show. I'm going though it now