Clinical Site with criminal background

[Mechelle101]

Hi,

If anyone can give me some feedback on the following situation I am facing it would be greatly appreciated.

I am in the state of FL, and I have a recent conviction on my record for Grand Theft. Nevertheless, I have found a school that has accepted me into their nursing program and I am scheduled to start next week. When I got accepted I thought to myself that either they were over looking my record or they completely missed it. Well this week I found out they failed to do the background check prior to admitting me and now a few days before I am to start they have just recieved it. Needless to say, they are considering rescinding the offer of acceptance into the program because they feel they will not be able to get me placed at a site to complete my clinicals with my background. I have begged them to reconsider and offered to locate my own clinical site and take the burden off of the school. Although they have not made their final decision, I am very hopeful. But I am worried beyond belief that I too will not be able to find a place to complete my clinicals. I am thinking of presenting myself as a nursing student to local clinics looking for volunteer hours. But I am just not sure if this will work.

Has anyone been down this road, or can offer any advice?

[mz.snuggly1]

how long ago did you get convicted?

[rn/writer, RN]

Wow! Not much confidence that this is going to go in my favor. Everyone, including the school seems to be focused on the money involved in the process and me not getting a license at the end. When in fact its been posted time and time again that the BON looks at everyone indiviually. Therfore, my end may be very different from others. I am fully aware of the time and money involved and that I may not get my license right away, but it can still happen someday, and even if it dosen't the things I learn in the process can never be taken away. What bothers me is that I can be denied the education because of my background. At the clinical site I am being supervised and I am with a group as stated before. They are not agreeing to hire me, only teach me. Nevertheless, I will walk into the meeting on Monday with the directors at my school and present my case with my head held high because although they think they have the final word, truth is only GOD can make final decisions in my life.

Thanks for the comments.

You said your conviction was recent. That tends to go against you as you haven't had much time to prove yourself or demonstrate that you have changed what got you in trouble in the first place. It might be different if you were 8-10 years out and had kept yourself on the straight and narrow that whole time. Then, maybe a good track record and some favorable character witnesses might give you a chance.

Even so, there are some convictions that rule out a nursing career forever. In my state, for instance, you can't ever get a nursing license if you have been convicted of a crime that involves hurting a child or another vulnerable person.

This isn't just about money. It's more about trust. And good judgment.

Nurses have access to private information, powerful drugs, and patients who at times can be pretty defenseless. They may work in people's homes and take care of those who can't speak for themselves or lodge a complaint if someone is harming them. Each state BON is, in effect, vouching for the good character and sound judgment of the people it licenses. If the BON doesn't think someone is a good risk, they will not be granted a license.

As others have mentioned, it's highly unlikely that a school will go out of its way to work with you if they know up front that you won't pass the criminal background check. And that's a good thing. At least they won't be taking your money dishonestly, knowing full well that they can't accommodate you for clinicals.

I suggest that you research the laws in your state in reference to your conviction. Is this something that closes the door permanently? If so, try to redirect your energy toward a more feasible goal. If there is any leeway, work to build up a good reputation. Start gathering a resume that demonstrates good character and trustworthiness. Get counseling and make amends regarding the offense that got you into trouble so that you can truly say that you have shown remorse and worked to put things right.

I hope you can find a good way forward.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

NRSKaren gave you great information. I am so sorry you are experiencing this and I am proud you are trying to turn your life positive but the reality is that you may need to put this dream on hold for a while. Prepare yourself for with a Grand Theft conviction you mat be unable to attend school for the time being. I would contact a lawyer to see how to best move forward.

I wish you the best.

[NCRNMDM, ASN, RN]

I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this roller coaster ride of an experience. To be brutally honest with you, you would not be accepted to my nursing program, and you would not be allowed to take the NCLEX-RN by my BON. My program performs background checks prior to letting anyone in, and they are very stringent about their policies. They do not bend the rules for anyone, and rightfully so. It would be unfair to you to take your money and give you a nursing education that you could never professionally use. It would be unfair to the clinical sites to let a convicted felon into their facilities. It would be unfair to the patients and other students with whom you were working.

It's great to see that you are in the process of turning your life around, but you need to find out all the facts first. I would contact a lawyer, make my best case with the nursing program, ask about the possibility of reapplying in the future, and see what I could do to get the situation straightened out. Good luck and best wishes.

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

OP, please understand that no one hear is trying to be "mean", just provide you with the honest truth. Let's say that your school did allow you to arrange your own clinical sites. What about the clinical instructor? I've seen on this board that CI's can ask for $40-$50 per hour for a private clinical day(and your clinicals could range from 4 -12 hrs). Also, like it has been mentioned many times on this thread, the background check you have to undergo to be allowed at the facility. Also, if you make it all the way through school & go on to take your boards, when you fill out your application for licensure for your state board of nursing, there is always a section asking about criminal convictions. They could possibly deny you from sitting for the NCLEX. And then all your time in school would have been in vain. I'm sorry that this is happening OP, but there are other avenues available in the healthcare field that you could consider. Best of luck to you .

[mikeicurn, ASN, RN]

"Wow! Not much confidence that this is going to go in my favor. Everyone, including the school seems to be focused on the money involved in the process and me not getting a license at the end. When in fact its been posted time and time again that the BON looks at everyone indiviually"

What you are getting here are honest opinions. Your friends will all tell you how unfair it is, and how the school is being mean to you. Truth is, you have a lot stacked up against you. You might be able to work it out, but it's going to take time and effort.

[jtmarcy12, BSN, RN]

Michele101 I agree with some of the other posts. You should contact the BON and be sure anyone with a felony conviction cannot be a nurse. Yes they do handle case by case, but that is in misdemeanor cases. Romans 8:28 says God causes ALL things to work together, ..for those who are CALLED and according to his purpose. Maybe God maybe trying to steer you in another direction so that you will not waste time and money. We can be confident and hopeful for you, but sometimes the truth be told we cannot make things happen if it is not suppose to happen. No matter how hard a person tries maybe this is not your path. Only in prayer will you get that answer! One of my favorite Ministers always says " we reap what we sow, more than we sow later than we sow". God does forgive us, but many times we still have to suffer the consequences of the things we have done, no matter how long ago or how sincere we have become. What God may allow is another door to be opened for you! I will keep you lifted up in prayer God Bless!:hug:

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Wow! Not much confidence that this is going to go in my favor. Everyone, including the school seems to be focused on the money involved in the process and me not getting a license at the end. When in fact its been posted time and time again that the BON looks at everyone indiviually. Therfore, my end may be very different from others. I am fully aware of the time and money involved and that I may not get my license right away, but it can still happen someday, and even if it dosen't the things I learn in the process can never be taken away. What bothers me is that I can be denied the education because of my background. At the clinical site I am being supervised and I am with a group as stated before. They are not agreeing to hire me, only teach me. Nevertheless, I will walk into the meeting on Monday with the directors at my school and present my case with my head held high because although they think they have the final word, truth is only GOD can make final decisions in my life.

Thanks for the comments.

So what happened at the meeting?

Even though the clinical site would not be hiring you, they are doing more than just teaching you. They are allowing you to represent them to patients and family. They are allowing you to interact with these same patients and family, who can be vulnerable and quite trusting. They are taking on potential liability for your actions. If something goes wrong, they are not going to escape legal ramifications simply because you are not an actual employee.

If I were in charge of a clinical site, I would be VERY hesitant to allow someone with a Grand Theft conviction in my facility.

[mckirob]

You cannot file for an exemption in FL until your license is active. I have to take an RN refresher course

and need an exemption on a conditional license and the board will not do it. I guess I have to do my 80 hours at a non-ahca hospital (non-profit).

[Nicholaus88]

I work for a nurse registry in Human Resources and deal w/ Level II background screenings through AHCA, DOH, and Department of Elder Affairs. You can definitely file for an exemption and it doesn't take much time at all for a determination. Hope this helps....

Do you work in Florida? How long does it take typically? I have a misdemeanor domestic battery charge from almost 7 years ago, so would I likely get approved? I applied for a nurse intern position at a local hospital and they informed me they do fingerprinting, so I am not sure if that is done through AHCA or what and if I would be disqualified.

[xdrowe]

did you ever make it through the nursing program?

[xdrowe]

What happened since your thread? Did you obtain your license? I have a MISDEMEANOR simple assault and Idk what will happen in my clinical background pr licensing