Criminal background checks

mrsboots87 · Feb 10, 2015

These are very recent issues, which does not look good. You may have no issue getting into a school, the problem lays in getting licensed by your BON. Your best bet is to contact the BON for your state and ask them directly. Also, make sure your lawyer is one who is familiar with the BON as not all lawyers are. Stealing is a major issue with the BON because of the possibility of diverting drugs or stealing hospital supplies. It also shows poor judgement. Assault is never ok and the BON will not like that either. I'm not sure if the child removal will even come up. I am not judging in any way, just trying to be up front with you. Everyone makes mistakes. Some get caught and some don't. Your issue is that your mistakes aren't even 3 years old yet.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 10, 2015

I also suggest that you consider the possibility that a school may accept you ... you may get a license ... and then an employer may not hire you. Or ... a school may accept you, but a clinical facility that they use for clinical placements may not allow you to come to their site. That happens at my hospital. I work for a children's hospital and we will not let students come here with recent criminal offenses on their record that suggest a risk to us.

Certainly, you should be talking to a lawyer who is very familiar with the Board of Nursing and with this sort of issue in general. Also, you should be talking to the BON and to the school you are interested in. But if you lived in my community, I would also suggest that you not invest in a nursing education until after your record has been expunged. If assault and theft are still on your record, it is highly likely that you will run into some problems at some point. Clean up your record first, then invest in the education.

tjones85 · Feb 10, 2015

Thank you very Much. I have contacted the BON and they are very strict, however, they told me that it is on an individual basis and that they could not make an determination without having the background check in front of them, but they said that they have heard and see it all and it is vey possible that this could be no big deal and then again, it could be a major problem and take some time to get cleared!

AssociateDegree · Feb 11, 2015

You were given the standard response from the BON. One other thing to note is that you will still need to divulge all of this when you apply to take the NCLEX exam, even if your record was expunged.

The "Guide" gave you good advice.

And, since you are posting such personal details about your life, please consider changing your screen name to something less identifiable.

Swilliams-RN · Mar 4, 2015

I know timing is a factor and any school will accept you (because they want your money) but it is up to the BON I went through this experience personally I had 2 felonies from when I was 19 (writing bad checks, one of the charges was grand larceny) I went to LPN school when I was 25 and more mature. I had to take my boards, pass them and then 3 months later had to go in front of the BON for a hearing on moral character. i had to have 4 written letters of reference and a personal letter about my situation and how I had changed. I was able to do this on my own without a Lawyer and they made their decision within 20 minutes. They told me I would have no problem going back to school and to ALWAYS put that I was convicted of a crime whether it says within 7 years or period especially on the state license renewal. I have only been turned down for a job once for my previous offense and that was because it came up on the background even though I told them. I hope I was helpful some what I remember being in your position and looking frantically for an answer to my question and BTW I have held Federal & civil jobs and yes with a conviction you can get hired. It's more about honesty which shows your growth as a person and moral character

QuietRiot · Mar 7, 2015

Have you been convicted? Are these charges still pending (open case) and lastly, Which state are you in?

Swilliams-RN · Mar 22, 2015

In NYS you have to go in front of the Dept of education BON which is different from the DOH