cna certificate?

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Hello nurses, my name is Kayla. I am 22 years old. I was working at walmart and they werent giving me enough hours. I have a two year old son. I was stupid and made the biggest mistake. I stole some stuff from there. I got charged with petty theft, i didnt have to pay restotution though. WHen i did a background check, it didnt say misdemanor but still said petty theft. I wanted to do cna classes which start in like three weeks. Im currently in college, my dream is to become a registered nurse. This is the only thing on my record. Could someone please tell me if I would be denied or could get my cna certification? I live in ohio, but where i live i can cross the bridge and go to west virgina. I contacted the bon of west virginia. They said as long as i wasnt convicted of a crime that is punishable by a year or more in prison, I could be a cna. Is there any fellow nurses out there with somewhat theft on their record that became a cna, lpn, or rn? Or know anyone that is, or can answer my question? Please, nursing is my dream I want nothing more than to take care of people. I enjoy taking care of my son and sick grandmother everyday. It is just my calling to take care of people who cant take care of theirselves. Thank you soo much for whoever answers!!(:

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I think a bigger hurdle you may encounter is not from any BON, but from employers. Just because a BON decides to license/certify you doesn't mean that employers will automatically accept your criminal record: many of them have their own standards as to what is acceptable to them. All you can do is apply and see what happens.

There are a lot of nurses with criminal records out there, so don't give up hope. Good luck.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele.

Even if the BON says that you can get licensed, you still need to find a school and clinical sites that will accept you with the petty theft showing up on your record. Keep in mind that if you are able to do that, it is still possible that potential employers would not want to hire you because of your record.

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Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

hi kayla,

i don't have any answers for you about your career. but i do have some advice, don't give out so much personal information like your name and location and family member names in your post.

pursue your dreams. don't give up!!

( :

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Specializes in Psych.

I have some criminal convictions from 2001 that were more serious than your charges...(BTW I live in CA)... you can get CNA certificate...just be honest from the beginning... I was able to challenge the CNA test after first semester of RN school, and on the application for the NA license, it asked if I had any prior convictions, in which I said yes.... I had no problem getting my CNA... I am currently awaiting my Aproval to Take Test from the BRN so I can sit for the NCLEX-RN... This is going to be way harder to get... I am sitting on pins and needles...

Well good luck to you!

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Hi! I was also pretty freaked out myself when trying to become a parent care provider CNA for my son who is terminally ill. I had a DUI on my record from 4 years prior to when I took my classes and boards. I just had to write an explanation of the situation and an apology letter that had to be submitted to the board. I'm pretty sure they didn't care or even read it. They just want to see that you put thought into it. I was totally nervous for no reason. Like the other ladies said, your employer might be a different story but you only have to report felonies so I think you will be just fine. On the CNA app they only wanted explanations on felonies and dismisseed charges (which I thought was odd, but whatever). My DUI happened to be dismissed.

Good luck!! It is SO worth a try.

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