CORI and background check question

smj67 · Jan 31, 2005

NO, only felony convictions.

I am a pre-nursing student. I have done my pre-reqs and am awaiting to hear from direct entry NP programs I've applied to. I'm beginning to worry though, becaue I do have something on my record. In '99 I wrote a check for 100.00 at my grocery store that bounced. I moved appts from RI to MA and closed that (RI) bank account right around that same time- so I didn't get the notice that it bounced until I got a call from my hometown police station saying they had a warrent! :uhoh21: I went to court and paid the 100 and a small fine on top of that. I don't think I was "convicted"- but I think it would show up on a background check. I've read the info on the MA BON site- and since it was more than 5 yrs ago and it wasn't an offense that would automatically disqualify me from a nursing license- I didn't think it would be an issue. Now I'm beginning to think about jobs that would also require a background check. Will this be a huge issue and impediment to a career in nursing? It seems like such a silly thing for a mistake from 6 yrs ago to prevent me from being a nurse...
Help please!

Jess RN · Jan 31, 2005

Thank you for replying! So, my situation would be what, a misdemeanor? Do I have to list it on appliactions- or are you saying no- the only thing you have to list is felony convictions?

Also, I was wondering if I should run a background check on myself to see exactly how i would show up. Then I guess I can know how much I should say about it upfront to an employer or BON. Are tehre any companies that I could pay to do this for me?

Thanks!

Jess

Jess RN · Jan 31, 2005

Does anyone else have any info on this? Thanks in advance!

smj67 · Jan 31, 2005

1. Never volunteer info of this type.

2. Sealed records shouldn't show either.

3. You weren't arrested ??

4. no conviction.

5. no problem

6. don't worry.

Thank you for replying! So, my situation would be what, a misdemeanor? Do I have to list it on appliactions- or are you saying no- the only thing you have to list is felony convictions?
Also, I was wondering if I should run a background check on myself to see exactly how i would show up. Then I guess I can know how much I should say about it upfront to an employer or BON. Are tehre any companies that I could pay to do this for me?
Thanks!
Jess

Ex130Load · Jan 31, 2005

future nurse jess

Checked with a cop friend who said as I believed. If you pay a fine, you've been convicted and have a "record." Your case has been adjuticated(SP). Traffic vilolations and the accompanying tickets result in convictions though most folks don't think of traffic tickets in that fashion.

Tickets and fines skip the trial process. I may be wrong, but I believe everyone has the option of pleading their case in front of a judge. Most elect to skip pleading cases probably because trials aren't perceived to be worth the time, lost wages, and possible legal bills. An additional factor could be that many recognize their guilt and don't desire to have a judge reiterate it publicly.

Jess RN · Jan 31, 2005

Thanks for replies. I just checked and apparently my case was "continued without a finding". MA doesn't consider this a "conviction" but the MA BON does. The person I spoke with at the BON said that it does need to be self reported and go through the Good Moral Charachter evaluation process, but that it would not prevent me from sitting for the NCLEX or gaining registration. What happens is you have to wait 8 wks after graduation while they go through the evaluation and then they approve you to take the NCLEX.

Thanks for everyone who responded!

Jess

begalli · Jan 31, 2005

1. Never volunteer info of this type.
2. Sealed records shouldn't show either.
3. You weren't arrested ??
4. no conviction.
5. no problem
6. don't worry.

I wholeheartedly disagree with #1. Bad check writing can be considered both civil and criminal (felony).

In the application for my license in the state of CA the instructions CLEARLY state the "applicants are required under law to list all misdemeanor and felony convictions." Even if something was expunged, they want to know about it. NOT disclosing this information is considered "falsification of application" and they will deny your application.

I'm sure other states have similar requirements.

Imagine what this would look like if you did not report it and it showed up?

I did something stupid when I was a teenager in the 70's. I got picked up, fingerprinted, and had the living heck scared straight into me. When I applied for my license, I included a letter explaining what that was all about even though I knew that my record had been expunged (I wrote the police department). This is what the Board wants. I believe they are, in part, testing your professional integrity by asking that you submit your background fully and truthfully. When they see that you have done this, they usually will take it case by case and will work with you to help you obtain your license.

I would NOT let something like writing that check stop you from becoming an RN, but certainly DO NOT brush it under the rug.

Maybe you can contact the board in your state or find their website and look at their application.

Jess RN · Jan 31, 2005

Thanks begali for your post- I totally agree. Although I am totally ashamed that I will have to disclose this offense to the BON and probably my school too- there is no other option for me. I would never want to live with something like that lurking in my past just waiting to pop out and ruin my career because I was less than honest.

My issue is that I need a fairly strong assurance from my BON that my particular offense will not bar me from the NCLEX or being licensed *before* starting my program. I am not going to spend upwards of 40K on my graduate program-plus- childcare expenses for two kids (which will be equal to or greater than tuition itself) without being sure I will be able to sit for the NCLEX. I understand that the BON needs to review each case individually- but to me it would be unacceptable to invest my time and finances into becoming a nurse without a "guarantee" of sorts.

Does that make sense?

-Jess

begalli · Jan 31, 2005

oops, didn't see that you already found out about your Board's requirement.

What I would do if I were you is in the beginning of the last year of your nursing program, get copies of anything and everything related to your case and prepare your letter outling EXACTLY what happen and how you remedied it (of course if that's what your Board wants).

Don't worry too much. I'm sure it'll be fine. Just don't procrastinate in getting the paperwork they want. It can sometimes take weeks or longer to get copies of records from law enforcement departments and/or courts.

Jess RN · Jan 31, 2005

That's good advice about rounding up all the documentation/paperwork. I think when (fingers crossed) I get accepted into a program- I will have to hash it out with the school and get their reccomendation. As I said in my above post I need reassurance before even starting my program that this will not prevent me from getting licensed.

Thanks for your help!

Jess

begalli · Jan 31, 2005

Does that make sense?

Absolutely!

I truely believe the Board is there to HELP you become an RN. They want you to succeed. We had a person in our class who had a felony theft record that was only 6-7 years old. In her letter, she had to explain what happened, what the consequences were and what she has done since to "better" herself. She was granted the priviledge to sit for the NCLEX without a problem.

When I submitted my own situation, I called the Board and spoke directly with the individual who handles these things and she flat out told me what I stated above about the Board being there to help you and wanting you to succeed. This person also told me that she gets hundreds of these calls a month.

So you will not be the first person they've looked at who has written a bad check, acidentally or otherwise.

If you can make it through school cleanly with a good academic record and with integrity, I don't think you will have anything to worry about. But I understand that it still doesn't sit well on the nerves!

If you never took care of the situation and still had an outstanding warrant, that would be a situation to worry about, but if you took care of it and learned something from it then I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Just be honest.

Easy. :)