Background Questions on Nursing School Applications

[aggiehawk2716]

I'm reading lots of things on background checks when it comes to Nursing School applications and what they will and won't admit you into school for. Long story short, about 5 years ago, I was going through a very contentious divorce and the now ex-husband had filed charges on me for taking stuff out of our home (that I still had access to with an original key) that belonged to me. I was arrested and went to court, where I was ordered to serve 24 hours of community service and ordered to go through a theft intervention class. When all is said and done, I have a Class B Misdemeanor (Theft 50-500) on my record and I don't know how to answer that question on the nursing school applications. I know honesty is the best policy, but will it keep me from getting into nursing school?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Your nursing school is going to run a background check, regardless of how you answer the questions (and your clinical sites might as well). These charges will appear on a background check, and if you don't disclose them in your application, the dishonesty could be grounds for an automatic rejection.

Remember that on nursing school applications, you sign the application and state that everything contained in the application is true. If you knowingly answer a question incorrectly, or omit information, then you have lied. On every application that I have filled out, there was a space to explain details if you answer 'Yes' to a question about your history.

Think of it this way- the nursing school is going to find out about these charges one way or the other. What would you prefer? 1. They find out about the charges after you have told them that there was nothing on your record. OR 2. You're honest about the charges, have a chance to explain them in the application, and the school can verify your honest when they do their background check?

[aggiehawk2716]

Thank you. I have every intention of disclosing, but I'm afraid it will keep me from getting into Nursing School in general. But from what I'm reading on the boards, I guess it could be worse.