Californians with Convictions

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So, I have contacted BRN and received information which helped me make a decision on going back to school. One booklet is from VN BON and the other is from BRN in California. It seems like the VN board is more leniant on convictions compared to BRN but there is hope for those wanting to go to school for RN the biggest thing I was told was that the time of the conviction is important. Please read the attachments.

discguide (1).pdf

discguide.pdf

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

What you have left out it YOUR situation. What type of convictions- misdemeanor or felony? When? How many?

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What you have left out it YOUR situation. What type of convictions- misdemeanor or felony? When? How many?

I have two misdemeanors, one assault with a deadly weapon and the other assault likely to cause great bodily injury. These convictions occurred in December 2014. I am illegible to have my cases expunged once off probation.

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Specializes in med surg.

So I am in Cali, and it was tough for me. I had old felony drug conviction, and got them expunged. Its not hopeless but it is hard. I am going to be honest tho, with your charges, its a different situation. I was able to prove rehabilitation. I wrote a letter and was very sincere and honest. I want to wish you the best of luck tho. Dont give up on your dreams. I wish I could offer you better advice, but like I said our situations are not very similar

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So I am in Cali, and it was tough for me. I had old felony drug conviction, and got them expunged. Its not hopeless but it is hard. I am going to be honest tho, with your charges, its a different situation. I was able to prove rehabilitation. I wrote a letter and was very sincere and honest. I want to wish you the best of luck tho. Dont give up on your dreams. I wish I could offer you better advice, but like I said our situations are not very similar

Did you have hire a lawyer? How long did the application process take you? Does your license have restrictions?

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I'm also sad to say this but I think you will face great adversity with those charges. I have a drug arrest ( just an arrest, no conviction ) where the charges were dropped and I had the arrest expunged, potential employers can still see it ( because it's healthcare ). And this was 11 years ago. Your's is a violent crime, that it was a misdemeanor means NOTHING. Go and try to apply for a job as a nurse's aide at the place where the school offers clinical, if they won't hire you they are not going to let you in to do your clinicals. Colleges try and anticipate this sort of thing and will run your background check prior to accepting you. They've learned that the hospitals won't allow students with certain types of charges access to patients. If you have been convicted of the charges you listed, even if you have them expunged they are not going to let you in. If you disturbed the peace, led the cops on a high speed chase, etc... you'd have a better chance. But assault, theft, child endangerment and to a lesser degree drugs will follow you everywhere you go for the rest of your life. Even with me being through school and having done everything right, I'm still passed over for jobs. Good luck!

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Specializes in med surg.

I did not hire a lawyer, I did contact one and got some good advice tho. My application process took at least 4 months, and no I do not have any restrictions on my license. My convictions are very old and I also had them expunged.

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I did not hire a lawyer, I did contact one and got some good advice tho. My application process took at least 4 months, and no I do not have any restrictions on my license. My convictions are very old and I also had them expunged.

Good for you. May you have a successful nursing journey.

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I'm also sad to say this but I think you will face great adversity with those charges. I have a drug arrest ( just an arrest, no conviction ) where the charges were dropped and I had the arrest expunged, potential employers can still see it ( because it's healthcare ). And this was 11 years ago. Your's is a violent crime, that it was a misdemeanor means NOTHING. Go and try to apply for a job as a nurse's aide at the place where the school offers clinical, if they won't hire you they are not going to let you in to do your clinicals. Colleges try and anticipate this sort of thing and will run your background check prior to accepting you. They've learned that the hospitals won't allow students with certain types of charges access to patients. If you have been convicted of the charges you listed, even if you have them expunged they are not going to let you in. If you disturbed the peace, led the cops on a high speed chase, etc... you'd have a better chance. But assault, theft, child endangerment and to a lesser degree drugs will follow you everywhere you go for the rest of your life. Even with me being through school and having done everything right, I'm still passed over for jobs. Good luck!

All I can do is get the charges expunged and hope for the best.

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Specializes in med surg.

Thank you! I am having a hard time finding a job tho, having graduated a year ago I am becoming less desirable as the days go by

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Specializes in med surg.

Getting the charges expunged does make a difference. Once they are expunged here in Cali they cannot be used against you for a job. Any regular background they would not come up. Only a live scan background would show them, like when you applied to the board or if you wanted to work for the government.

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Thank you! I am having a hard time finding a job tho, having graduated a year ago I am becoming less desirable as the days go by

Do you get an RN or LVN?

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