can I become a registered nurse in florida with a criminal record

[gsamanez]

Hey everyone I need some advice. This is my story. Im a 24 year old male who recently graduated from miami dade college with an associate in arts in pre nursing.with a overall gpa of 3.62. Graduated with honors.. Did I mention I have a national phlebotomy and ekg technician certification along side with a medical assistant diploma. Anyways im going to start nursing school this spring 2015 either at barry university, nova southeastern university or florida international university. But my big problem is my 5 years old criminal record. In 2009 I was charged with burglary of dwelling unnoccupied, and grand theft. This is a felony I had and the results were probation for 2 years and adjudication withheld after completing my probation. I ended up finishing by probation and my results for that record was adjudication withheld meaning im not convicted. Anyway thats that. And I have just 1 misdemeanor that happen in 2008 of possession of marijuana under 20 grams.results for that was adjudication withheld meaning im not convicted. Did I mention that yes I did went to the florida state nursing board website and basically they say as long as its not fraud or murder or domestic violence criminal record then I might have a chance. Their website also tells you what criminal record eliminates you from taking the state exam but its says chapters 16 statue, and I dont know what that means...and to answers your question NO I cant expunged it because its a adjudication withheld not a dropped case. I could sealed it but I have to wait 10 years. Anyways do you guys think I have a chance to become a registered nurse in florida? It happen 5 years ago. And im a different person now. I studied medical assistant and got the national certification for phlebotomy and ekg technician. And on top of that I just recently graduated from a community college with my associate degree in pre nursing with a 3.62 gpa honors. I just want to be successful. Nursing is something I always wanted to do.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I would write a letter to the board explaining the entire story (anything that would show up on a background check). They will determine hat you need to do to be able to take NCLEX once you get a school to accept you and you graduate.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

You need to secure an attorney to work with you on this with the board.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

You can google "Florida board of nursing felony " and get the verbiage from the BON site but an attorney is your best bet

[brattygrl]

What is an associate degree in pre nursing?

[gsamanez]

Associate degree in pre nursing is all the pre req courses you need to take for a bachelor in nursing....you take classes like chemistry, anatomy, microbiology, and etc.

[gsamanez]

What type of attorney do I need ? Like criminal attirney?

[Tinman1017]

Burglary, Grand Theft and drug charges? I'm sorry man but even if you were able to take the nclex and become licensed your not going to be able to explain all of that when an employer finds about all that on a background check. They will just hire someone who doesn't have a wrap sheet.

Sorry

[Tinman1017]

Short answer is maybe you can be a registered nurse. But you'll have one hell of a time trying to explain all this to a potential employer. They would just shoot you down once they do their background check and hire someone with a clean record. I know people who are RNs that can't get job because their employers won't hire them because of a DUI. There are FAR to many people they can pick without the baggage of a criminal record.

[gsamanez]

For me getting hired as a nurse wont be hard because my godfather is the administrator of a hospital in miami called westchester hospital. My only fear is if the state board denies me to even take the state exam. I looked thru their florida state board nursing website but it says they look at it case by case and how long ago was it. And what have you done since then

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

You can find attorneys who are versed with dealing with nursing matters and BONs here: TAANA Executive Office - Home

I strongly recommend that you involve one in any matter concerning the BON.

Also, I wouldn't rely too heavily on your godfather's pull as it might be far less powerful than you think, especially given your criminal record. Theft convictions are often automatic disqualifiers at a lot of facilities, and no amount of pull is going to make a hospital hire you if that's the case for them.

I would definitely pursue any opportunities to seal/expunge anything from your record that you can. That will help you more with the job hunt in the long run.

Best of luck.