Can criminal record keep me from obtaining my LPN in Iowa?

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I am ashamed to say I have multiple disorderly conduct charges, a domestic assualt charge, a couple assualt charges and one theft charge that are all at least 12 years old. Most occuring within a short time.The theft charge was for a bad check and the rest were simply my stupidity. None of these charges are felonies and most were dissmissed. I have changed my life and am in the process of becoming a responsible and mature member of society. I have been accepted to a nursing program and have completed all my prerequistes with very high scores. None of my record has kept me from working as a CNA (for a long time now).:confused:

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Specializes in ED.

I think you'll need to contact the Iowa Board of Nursing to ask them. You should find out before you complete all of the nursing coursework as there's no point in spending the time or money on it if you can't take the test at the end. Perhaps there are some answers just on the website, or you can call. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you!

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The Iowa Board will not accept calls from pregraduate students. I have been trying to search the Iowa law codes to find an answer. I have been told that misdemeanors do not always get counted against the applicant. Thank you for your reply.

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Have you tried emailing them?

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No but I found out that I just have to give them prove of the charges the outcomes and write them a letter of explaination and I might have to go to a hearing. But I can't do this until I apply to take the NCLEX. I just wish I hadn't made the stupid mistakes I made. But hind sight is always 20/20. Plus someone told me since I am employable as a CNA I should be ok as a LPN.

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Good luck with your situation. It is sad that you can't get a reading on this before you go through the expense of nursing school, not to mention the time and effort on your part.

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I have learned that my charges are too old and do not relate to my position therefore they will not be held against me.

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As I am now finding out, the IBON can approve you and license you with a criminal record, but you still have to fill out a form for your potential employer and be approved by DHS to work in a healthcare facility. This so far has prevented me from working for the past three weeks, even though I am licensed by the Board. I have been unable to find out where this form goes and who has to approve it, other than it goes to "DHS" or "the state".

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I recently received my LPN as a nurse with a criminal record. I have learned (the hard way) that before accepting a job in a healthcare facility, you must be approved to work in a healthcare facility. Your potential employer gives you a piece of paper to fill out relating to the circumstances surrounding your crime (similair to the paper you write for the board) and it must be approved by either "DHS" or "the state" (even my potential employers do not seem to know exactly where this paper goes) before becoming an employee. I have been waiting three weeks for this approval. This is after becoming licensed by the IBON and usually after the offer of the job.

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The difficulties wil be when applying for jobs and when the prospective employers do a background check. Anything other than a negative report will result in difficulty finding employment. One nurse I know couldn't get a job at age 35 due to a DUI she got when she was 18. Good luck...

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