Becoming a Nurse with an Arrest Record then rehabilitation

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Hello All,

First let me apologize if you got this same thread many times. I thought my situation might be unique.

Back in 2001 I was very young, hung out with the wrong crowd and got charged with many things (all misdemeanors)

The charges were drag racing, graffiti, possession of marijuana, violation of a restraining order and indecent assault.

(with the last two charges I had a crazy girlfriend that was intent on crucifying me and I showed the judge proof of that, and that the charges were falsified)

Well I was never convicted of anything due to agreeing to a pretrial probation for everything.All charges were dismissed afterwards. I served it fine and moved on.

I then enlisted in the military for 8 years and got an honorable discharge and am a decorated combat veteran. I am currently going to school and want to become a nurse.

Will all of this behavior prior to the military affect me when it comes to the board? I plan on ordering my own FDLE check to see if that old stuff even shows up due to it being out of state. I have heard that it will and wont show up due to no convictions..i wont know until i receive it.

I have really changed my life around in the 8 years in the military and have helped save lives in Iraq (was a combat lifesaver-kind of like a short trained medic) from applying pressure dressings to tourniquets, and wanted to continue to help people after my service to my country. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I am going to apply in floridaif that helps.

Thanks

John

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I'd call your state board and ask them - explain all you have here - really don't think it will be an issue - I think the main things are felonies and abuses, long history of drug charges etc. Good luck

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I have a friend who has a story very similar to yours, and she just passed her boards and landed a great job. She had to disclose everything and be in contact with the BON but other than that she had no problem

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

You will need to check w/ your state BON. We had to be approved by our BON before starting clinicals. Good luck and congrats on your recovery.

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Thank you for all the prompt replies, this is good news. I had to disclose everything to the military, upon joining, and had to get a General to sign off on my enlistment. They gave me a chance, and it worked out great and I helped many people in the process, including myself. We'll see what the BON says though!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

You should be fine. You have been forthcoming about your past, and you obviously learned something from it.......this profession should be honored to have you join it! :yeah:

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Specializes in LTC.

I don't have anything to add.

Best of luck to you though!

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Greetings my brother. Welcome.

Thank you for your service.

If indeed your charges were of a lesser nature it would be my advice to seek out an attorney. You should have him/her have your records/charges "expunged". Fees vary but it will be the best money you can spend in your situation. (Few hundred dollars).

With a clean military service record this should be no problem at all. The record will be sealed. There will still be a record of your arrest but the details will be sealed by the court thus giving you a second chance.

Take your attorney's advice on how to move forward on all reports of prior convictions as they should not ever need reported again to anyone.

Good luck with nursing. It will change your life as well.

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Thanks for your service! Military is always a BIG booster when it comes to finding a job in healthcare. I always found it beneficial in most instances.

I would perform a criminal background check by two different means. Perform these checks at the original county and State of these misdemeanors. Order it through the State police and search the local county criminal record docket. The county may be available online for public access. Just google it online, "_____ county criminal record or criminal record dockets." The state criminal report through the State police should take about 4-6weeks to get a response.

If you find any of these charges are documented seek an Attorney and get them sealed/expunged ASAP.

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I don't know if this has been mentioned but you can get your fingerprints done and send them into the FBI to see what shows up on your fbi records (if anything). Also were you a juvenille when it happenned, the records might be sealed,. SOme staes, I've heard, make people jump through hoops id they have a past.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moving to Nursing Licensure with Crimnal History forum.

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Specializes in Med/Tele.

I don't have much to add except that my boyfriend enters nursing school this fall and he had a possession of marijuana charge on his record when he was 18. He was going to get it expunged then found out that even if you get it expunged it still shows up on the state board back ground check. He got a back ground check with the hospital he would be doing clinicals at and the back ground check didn't even show anything. He then called the BON and they said if the hospitals back ground check didn't show anything he would be fine. It also happened 10 years ago...

Good Luck!!

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