Criminal Record & Clinicals

[cali_rusk]

Hi everyone, I really like reading this forum and seeing that others are in my shoes and know what I am going through. I was recently convicted and sentenced of misdemeanor theft. I live in PA and everyone from the court (DA, Probation, etc) was pushing for me to get ARD so that I wouldn't have a record but unfortunately the victims absolutely refused even when the judge said that I have one more year left of nursing school and might not be able to be a nurse. At this point, I would have to apply for a PA Governor's Pardon however I am trying to be optimistic...

Clearances for my school are renewed annually and they are due at the end of April. I am planning on talking to the head of the nursing program at my school very shortly. From what I have read in the handbook, it is not up to the school but rather the clinical sites.. What has been everyone's experiences with this? Were hospitals informed and accepting? I see a lot of people discussing licenses and jobs... I am just hoping to be successful with school and graduate and take one step at a time.

Thank you!

[jaznia15]

I guess it just depends on the clinical site's policy. I got convicted of a misdemeanor charge of affray (fighting) the semester before I started the nursing program. I have never been denied access to any clincal sites and I graduate in May of this year. I have already had a job officially offered to me and I reveal the charge on every application I have. Now I only have to wait on the boards when I apply but I am going to be very upfront about the conviction. Several people told me that the charge shouldn't hold me back from getting licensed. All I can tell you is to talk to the head of the nursing program as you already plan to do. I'm sure you are not the only one to go through the program with charges on your record.

[NCLEXEATER]

Never get the school involved because that we messed up everything you've worked for in your entire life. If possible talk to your lawyer in other to get the case dismissed or enter a plead deal for deferred adjudication. I've read on the forum about few nurses having conviction and end up being a NURSE. Never gave up! If your background is done before clinical, do not stress yourself about that. Wait until the case is being taken care and keep on with your nursing classes. It happen a friend of mine and now she's a RN after filing for eligibility for licensure at the end of the semster. Deferred adjudication will give you the option of having your record dismissed and sealed. Keep praying!

[FLmomof5]

NCLEXEATER, what you have posted is not accurate. Due to the nature of nursing, the BON will see ALL criminal history including withheld adjudications, sealed, juvenile and expunged records. They will consider the nature of the charge, the duration of time that has passed since the conviction and behavior since that will have displayed a change of character for the applicant.

In most cases, hospitals may not see what the BON sees, but if you lie on an application for either licensure or employment, you can expect repercussions.