Clinical Site Background Check

Nurses Criminal

Updated:   Published

Hi there,

I've been spending a load of time on this site, reading forums and news, and I'm loving it.

Now, on to my question:

I've been accepted to my school's ADN program, and carry a cumulative 3.83 GPA. I tested negative on the drug tests (but that was a given, aside from a tipple here and there, I'm a bit of a square.

The background check that we had to buy for our clinical site came back with an unresolved misdemeanor charge from 2008. I even went directly to the authorities involved as soon as I found the charge I had never seen before, but in the end, I had to take the ruling of the magistrate who heard the case. It resulted in a No-Contest finding. It served to prove to me the value of tying up ALL loose ends in one area, before moving on to the next. I could have had the situation done and expunged by now had I thought to make sure that I did everything I needed to do pre-moving.

I've talked to my counselors, and my department chair, but they can not and will not divulge who is in charge of making the final decision on who is and is not allowed to do clinicals at that particular site.

The counselor said that if the site rejects me, I'll have to be removed from the program.

I guess it all boils down to me wanting to know, until I can actually file to expunge this, is it big enough of a deal that I might actually lose my seat?

Have any of you faced something similar and persisted through it to end up safe and with a seat?

I won't find out until next week for sure whether or not the clinical site accepted me, and its driving me mad with worry. It's killing me to think that the hard work I put in to make sure I was an actual contender for the seat was all for naught.

Any feedback would be terrific.

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The school doesn't care about the background check but the clinical sites care very much about the background check. At my school they said you can be admitted but if any one clinical site denies admission they will drop you from the program. The school does not know the rules regarding who the clinical sites will accept if something turns up.

I don't know if this is possible but you may be able to call the clinical sites and ask someone in admin there. You will need to call your BON and make sure they will give you a liscense as well.

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I am in the same situation as you are. I am starting the ADN program next month and I have to wait until after I start school to see if any clinical sites will accept me. I actually have a felony on my record from when I was 16, which was 5 years ago. Its about to be expunged but I'm pretty sure that it will still show up for nursing background checks. I've called my BON and she told me that my charges are not reportable, due to me being a minor but I won't really know until I go in two years to fill out my application. It drives me crazy not knowing if I am able to be liscensed or if I will be able to work at a clinical site but its a chance that is worth to take. I have a 4.0 so far because I figure the harder I work the greater of a chance I have for it to all work out. I just try to look on the bright side of things and hope for the best. Good luck.

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Kyoho, I'm pretty sure since you were a minor, they cannot access those records. once you are 18 they are sealed,

Joe, Depending on what the charge was, they may be a bit lenient. It will totally be at thier discretion. I don't think I would contact the clinical site as the school may see that as you going over their heads.

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I'm just devastated at the idea that all my hard work could be undone by something that was truly just a dumb mistake.

I'm making a motion for expunction ASAP, but even if its granted, it wouldn't be til november at the earliest according to attorney.

I panicked the same way when all my friends and neighbors started getting their acceptance letters and mine hadn't arrived... it turned out that the postal worker forgot to put it in my box.

the only thing I can truly do right now, is to continue on as though nothing came up, and focus on being in the program. accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, all that jazz.

thanks everyone for your feedback thus far.

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Joe what was the end result?

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I truly wish you the best and hope you will be allowed entry for clinical. In no way do I want to discourage you but I had a juvenile misdemeanor conviction that showed up on my background check even though I had always been told it would be hidden because I was a minor. However, in my state you are required to wait x amount of years after the crime depending on the conviction. In MI, a felony is a 10 year wait, depending on what it was for. Some felonies are a lifetime ban. You need to talk this over with someone at your school to determine if you are eligible and if not, when you will be. Again, best of luck to you.

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I'm in the same situation now. In nursing school and currently doing a pardon then expungement process. How did everything end up for you?

Greatly appreciate any feedback from you!

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Has anyone run into any problems with there clinical site? I know this post is older but I have a misdemeanor

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