Could this be a new Hope for people with a Class B Misdeminour?

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Greetings Nursing community.

I am a 23 year old college student from Texas and I am working on my last semester to complete my Associates of Science. I have the dream to work in a medical field job, in this case nursing. However, I made a big mistake when I was 18, I committed shoplifting, which has been hunting me and making my life difficult. Since then I have matured and decided to take the right choice on every decision that I come across. And I have faith that something can be done in my situation and many others how are going through the same burden.

You see, I found a PDF document from the:Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen Process Policy

Where it says"Criminal Background checks should review a person's criminal history for seven (7) years back from the date of application to the Program".

I understand that legally I am not eligible to apply to a nursing program, But If this section of the passage is true...

Does that mean I have to wait 3-4 more years?

Thank you.

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Hi velauz,

I'm not familiar with the laws in Texas, but are you sure it's not legal to apply to nursing school? In California schools do background checks, but will usually discuss it with you and depending on the crime and circumstances, will still let you enter the program. You can apply for a nursing license with a criminal history, however, you must disclose it on your application (unless your state has time limitations or doesn't require you to disclose dismissed or certain other crimes). You should check with the Texas BON about their criminal history guidelines for applicants. I doubt that a shoplifting crime would keep you from getting into nursing school and/or getting licensed when you graduate. As long as you can show you have rehabilitated yourself (classes/programs, volunteer work, counseling, earning a degree, letters of recommendation, proof of expungement, amount of time that has lapsed, etc.) at worst you would end up with a probationary license for a period of time.

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A criminal history will not ban you from getting into school but will impact your eligibility to participate in clinical. I am in nursing school with two misdemeanors on my record, one shoplifting and one larceny, latest is 2008. Depending on your state laws, a misdemeanor conviction of retail fraud will refrain you from working in a clinical setting for 3-5 years. MI is 3, other states are 5, just depends. This means you are legally able to do all pre-reqs but 3 or 5 years must have passed before you can participate in clinical. I would suggest meeting with the Dean or Director of Nursing at your prospective school. Bring all court records and they should be able to give you a timeline. Good luck! :)

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Do you mean 3-5 years since the offense?

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Specializes in Cardiac Stepdown, PCU.

Depending on the company they who check further back. The company my school has us use says "minimum of 7 years".

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