Criminal Background

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Hi I am 39 and in nursing school. The school I attend does not do background checks, but does not guarantee that you will be allowed to test either. When I was 20 I wrote a bunch of bad checks and was arrested each time one came through. Although this was a single event, it looks like 8 seperate events on paper, when I was 21 I was arrested twice for shoplifting. Then, through out my 20's I was arrested a couple of times for driving on a suspended license. Later when I was 27 I bounced a check and was arrested again. Never the less I look like a career criminal on paper, and even here as I describe this.

But my suspended license was due to being poor and unable to afford insurance at all times so when it would lapse, they would suspend my license. But, I am the only one that knows this. The other stuff was just being young and stupid. Do I have a prayer of getting a license, and if so of getting a job? I know that in my favor, I have never been violent, or on drugs. But, I look like a career thief. I am soo worried.

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Specializes in Addictions, Acute Psychiatry.

Disregard for the law is a trigger for mental health and society issues (safety). Having said that, there's no assault or murder attempts most are OK but in any case when these questions come up, call the board. The board will be able to tell you now better than what we can recollect when we were being licensed.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

it will totally depend on whether or not your BON considers you a risk to the public. There is no harm in calling them to discuss how they have ruled on similar situations in the past. They will not tell you in advance how they would rule on your situation till it is before them. I belive they are looking for patterns, felony offenders and the like. GOOD LUCK

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

questions we seem to be encountering more and more often have to do with the effects of a criminal history on nursing licensure:

  • is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a criminal history and if so, can i get a job?
  • is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a mip, dui, or other related charges?
  • what happens if you are charged or convicted of a crime after licensure?
  • can i go to nursing school and/or be licensed/be employed if my record has been sealed or expunged?
  • what if i have a “deferred adjudication”? will i have to declare this as a conviction?
  • will i be able to go to nursing school and/or attend clinicals with a criminal record?
  • what can happen if i receive a mip/dui/dwi or other charge while still in school?

these are questions that the members of allnurses.com cannot answer. the only reliable source of information is your state board of nursing.

if you are currently licensed as a nurse and have been charged with or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor including dui/dwi or any criminal offense, you need to contact the bon in every state you hold a license/wish to be licensed and ask their reporting requirements.

if you are a nursing student or are interested in becoming a nurse you need to contact your bon and/or your school of nursing directly. you need to be completely candid with them as to the nature and disposition of the crimes. each board of nursing makes a determination on a case by case basis and some are willing to issue a declarative statement in advance.

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