background checks and waivers

I don't know what you mean by "with a waiver." Waiver of what? Can you clarify?

It can be a challenge for any new grad to find work in many (but not all) areas of the country. BSNs are largely preferred or required, though, so you're on the right track.

To further clarify. In Illinois, when you get your basic CNA, they start with a backgrond check. This background check is to make sure that any hits on your check are not related to abuse of the elderly, the young, or any basic charge that would be a red flag that you would be a violent person or perhaps have stolen money etc. If you have a hit on your background, then you have to ask the health dept for a waiver so you can have them evaluate your offense and decide if you are able to be licensed in IL. I got the waiver. But all it really meant was a short cut for most big firms to immediately place you in the garbage. This is due to "policy". So I'm asking if that is true for the BSN. I plan on eventually getting my nurse practitioner as I was a candidate for P.A. school.

I would hazard a guess that this is a question for the IL BoN. Good luck!

Many states (including mine) are now requiring nursing schools to conduct background checks on students as part of their application program. This is because hospitals require those checks on anyone who is allowed to be around their patients - sooo. . . this issue is going to come up sooner or later. You probably want to get a definitive answer from your BON before investing time, effort & money into nursing school.

If the vague item caused you difficulty as a CNS, I'd guess it would likely haunt you as a nurse. Hospitals use everything to weed people out.