Can I still go to nursing school with an academic dishonesty charge?

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Hi everyone,

I am a junior getting my degree in psychology. I was a pre med student; however, I began working as a CNA a few months ago and realized my true calling is direct patient care. I genuinely look forward to going to work and feel that becoming a nurse is what I was put on the earth to do. I was caught with my phone in a precalculus exam and I owned up to the mistake. I would like to note I was sexually assaulted 3 weeks prior to my exam and had been having a difficult time focusing/attending class. I had never gotten in the slightest bit of trouble through out my 16 years of education and deeply regret having made this lapse in judgment. I received a zero on the exam and the charge will be on my conduct record (not transcript) for 7 years. It is my dream to become an RN and I was planning on applying to ABSN programs but I no longer feel like I can possibly have a future in this field and I am really scared. I feel like everything is falling apart and this is sending me into an extreme depressive/anxious episode. If anyone has any advice on what I can do, or if you know any peers who had a similar situation I would greatly appreciate your input? Is it worth it to take pre-req courses, would an LPN program be more likely to accept me? Do ABSN programs ask for conduct records/academic dishonesty? 

I appreciate you reading my post and if anyone could take the time out of their day to respond I would be beyond grateful!

thank you ❤️

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I do not know the answer to your question, just wanted to say

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deeply regret having made this lapse in judgment.

I believe you. Though it's a hard thing to admit I would imagine most of us have done something we really, really wish we wouldn't have done.

You made a mistake. You know integrity is important.

I hope things are looking up for you, soon. Take care of yourself. Try to focus on moving forward one day at a time ~

 

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Contact the school you want to apply to.  I would be honest.  Hiding stuff will get you nowhere.  Better than wasting time and money if they won't accept you. A lot of worrying is because we don't get answers and we wonder.  If they say no then either check with another school or maybe find a different career.  

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

If it is not on your transcript, then it doesn't matter.  You can request a copy of your official transcript to be sure there is nothing on there.  The nursing schools just get your transcript and that is all.

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Maybe the 'conduct' record is only visible to your current school? I would ask someone in the records department at the school and ask for a copy of your record. 

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

I just want to clarify.  When you request that a copy of your transcript be sent to another school, you also have the option to request a copy of your transcript be sent to yourself.  So request a copy of your official transcript and see what is on there.  That is all that the receiving school is going to see.

A possible way that your academic ethics issue could come to light is through recommendations.  You will need some faculty recommendations and the best bet is to talk to the people you would like to have write recommendations for you.  I don't know if even they would have access to your entire school record.  Pick one faculty member you like and trust and ask them if they will write a recommendation.  Let them know about that issue and see if they know about it and/or if they would mention it in a recommendation.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Nursing.

First, I just want to say I'm really sorry you've been going through all of this—you've faced so much, and, understandably, you're feeling overwhelmed. Please don't let this one mistake define your future, because it does not erase your passion for nursing or the care you've already shown as a CNA.

Many nursing programs evaluate applicants holistically, and some may not even ask for conduct records, so it's worth reaching out to admissions offices to understand their policies. If you're worried about ABSN programs, looking into LPN programs or even ADN pathways could be a solid backup while still keeping your end goal in sight.

Please be kind to yourself—you are not your mistakes, and you absolutely have a future in nursing if you keep pushing forward. ❤️

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