can i become a nurse with pending charges ?

[psw2rn]

Hi im 23 years old and intrested in doing my RN in ontario. At the biginning of january i got into a car accident and have pending charges against me for dangerous driving death /harm .if the charges stick will i be able to take my rn or should i look for another course to go into .please help .

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Let's not forget that the OP is in Canada.

The College of Nurses of Ontario have specific requirements that must be met before a person may become registered as a nurse with them. As you can see, the second-to-last item addresses the issue of conduct.

Factors that may delay an applicant's registration include:

• graduating from a program that doesn't meet entry-to-practice competencies
  
• failing to provide evidence of having practised nursing or graduated from a nursing program within the past three years
  
• failing to provide evidence that demonstrates language proficiency in either English or French
  
• the time needed to translate official documents translate official documents into either English or French
  
• failing to successfully complete the required registration examination or jurisprudence examination
  
• information about the applicant's conduct, competence or health that may require further review and follow-up.
  
• failing to produce other documents requested by the College.
  

They further expand on that:

Examples of the types of documents you may be asked to forward to the College include:

• any information related to findings of guilt, findings of professional misconduct; current investigations, inquiries, or proceedings for professional misconduct; current proceedings for other offences; or refusal of registration (see Reporting Requirements above)
  
• any other information as requested by the College
  

How will the College assess the information?

When reviewing information about your ability to meet the two requirements described above, the College will take into account several considerations. For example:

• What is the nature and severity of the conduct?
  
• What is the relationship of the conduct to nursing?
  
• Is there a pattern of conduct (e.g., an escalation in frequency or severity)?
  
• Does the conduct reflect poorly on the profession?
  
• When did the conduct occur and what were your circumstances at the time of the conduct?
  
• How much time has elapsed since the conduct last occurred?
  
• Did you assume accountability and take responsibility for your actions?
  
• Have you shown evidence of remorse?
  

All of the Colleges of Nursing in Canada have a police background check included in their assessment for registration. Until the charges are dropped, you're kind of in limbo.

Oh, and before I forget, please remember to follow the rules of this website regarding posting in English. No text or chat speak is permitted. There is a little visual reminder at the top of the comment box.