Criminal Backround Checks for Nurses?

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:confused: I am currently a pre-nursing student and feel that my career has just been halted by a recent arrest. :crying2: I would like to get some feedback and advice on how to handle my specific situation. Four years ago I had to File for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. The Company I was working for at the time had to close its doors and almost simultaneously my husband lost his business. One specific debt for $825.00 was to the Sate and I was not advice by attorney that I still would be responsible for it after the bankruptcy ended. So,one day while here at work I get a call from the Local Police Dept. that I was to be served a subpoena and they took me away. I spend the longest 8 hrs of my life sitting at the Women Detention Center.

I will not be convicted of any charges but I will always have an arrest record until the day I die.... So will anyone outhere please tell me How would this affect my future employment opportunities within nursing? Before this incident I considered myself a model citizen and have many people willing to give me recommendation letters for every Company that I have ever worked for.

Needing help in sunny Miami...

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Don't feel discouraged, I was arrested and convicted almost 5 years ago of a misdemeanor Breach of Trust from a former employer. I have spoken to several people on the post and as long as you are not a felon or have any violent crimes then you are ok as long as your honest with the BON. Tell them everything and you will have no problems. I am still in my pre-reqs and I still worry sometimes. Trust everything will be ok you didn't come this far to quit.

:confused: I am currently a pre-nursing student and feel that my career has just been halted by a recent arrest. :crying2: I would like to get some feedback and advice on how to handle my specific situation. Four years ago I had to File for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. The Company I was working for at the time had to close its doors and almost simultaneously my husband lost his business. One specific debt for $825.00 was to the Sate and I was not advice by attorney that I still would be responsible for it after the bankruptcy ended. So,one day while here at work I get a call from the Local Police Dept. that I was to be served a subpoena and they took me away. I spend the longest 8 hrs of my life sitting at the Women Detention Center.

I will not be convicted of any charges but I will always have an arrest record until the day I die.... So will anyone outhere please tell me How would this affect my future employment opportunities within nursing? Before this incident I considered myself a model citizen and have many people willing to give me recommendation letters for every Company that I have ever worked for.

Needing help in sunny Miami...

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This should not cause you problems, but definitely do not try to hide it. That will be what could and would get you into trouble.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.
This should not casue you problems, but definitely do not try to hide it. That will be what could and would get you into trouble.

I agree. You have nothing to hide so don't try to. I think you will be fine. Best wishes to you. :wink2:

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Thank you all for the advice. It brings me peace of mind.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.
Thank you all for the advice. It brings me peace of mind.

You will be okay, so relax and enjoy.

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This is a non-violent misdemeanor-type thing, and since you're paying it off, it's not the sort of thing they're worried about. I would rank this up there with an arrest for "contempt of court" for non-appearance in traffic court for unpaid tickets, which I have. I had a ticket on my record I didn't knwo about (not gotten by me, but rather by someone using my ID after purse was stolen years ago). Took a lot of time and money to get it cleared up, and I did end up just having to pay for the tickets because fighting it would have cost me even *more* money, and we just plain old didn't have it. So yeah, I have an arrest (and spent *more* than 8 hours in a lock-up with prostitutes, burglars and ladies who'd gotten picked up for public intoxification and brauls LOL). But, it's for traffic ticket stuff, and doesn't count against me for nursing. Phwew!!

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I was arrested a few yrs ago for hot checks. (young people don't need checkbooks..lol). The board requested copies of the hearing and my probation papers and i wrote them a sincere letter taking responsibility for my actions. They saw no reason to not let me take my boards. I graduated in Aug of 04 and just got my ATT in April 05. Also, I am bipolar so that was of more concern to them. I have stipulation on license for 1 year with therapy for 3 of those months so they can cover TOA (which I totally understand). My DON said none of those conditions would keep her from hiring someone. I honestly don't think you have anything to be worried about. It's not a drug conviction or theft. Hope this helps some. Good luck

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I have 4 misdemeanor convictions for hot checks (3 arrests), which all were very small amounts. This was all in a period stretched out from 1990 to 2004...back when I was a single parent and had no money...EVER. Now I'm happily remarried to a man who is very supportive in my efforts to get my nursing degree...and thank goodness...I've had no further problems with bad checks! I never had to do any jail time, only had to pay restitution for the checks and fines...so I've paid my debt even though it was all a financial debt. I have been SO worried about this being on my record and causing me problems with getting my nursing license. I finally heard from the Arkansas BON today as I've been trying and trying to reach someone about this. They said that as long as its not a felony....and as long as you are honest on your application about the convictions...and as long as you provide them with the necessary documentation...that you may have a delay in getting your license...but that it shouldn't be a problem in the end. Something I find strange though...I have worked for YEARS in hospitals as a medical transcriptionist...and nobody has EVER said anything to me about these convictions showing up on my record...AND...I have never put it on any application because I didn't think I had to since they were only misdemeanors. This has never caused me any problems...until now with this licensure issue. I think that misdemeanors should be dropped after a certain amount of time. But, in Arkansas even if it has been expunged from your record, you STILL have to tell them about it, because Arkansas not only does a state background check, but they also do a federal one, and the federal one shows EVERYTHING linked to your fingerprints, birthdate and social security. I think its ridiculous that they hold people to the fire for such petty things...its not like we've commited elder abuse, child abuse, or neglect.

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As is my understanding the department of health deals with each case on a case by case basis.

I also have arrests and convictions as a juvenile. The DOH told me that they are mainly interested in the following.

1. Violent crimes

2. Forgery of serious magnitude

4. Recent crimes, or a pattern with no rehabilitation

4. Crimes against children or vulnerable people.

Everyone makes mistakes, but whatever you do, DO NOT LIE. It is way worse than just admiting your faults and geting you license. Also, if it's not a felony, I would not worry too much. It is likely that if you are accepted into nursing school, you will have no problem.

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