Criminal Record in CA Expunged & I'm ready for nursing school - need advice

[Cieritaqt, ADN, RN]

Hi! I am on the wait list for Ventura College and Santa Barbara City College in CA. I have been sober for almost 8 years from drugs and alcohol. I am driven and excited to study to be an RN in the Associates Degree Nursing program. I have more than 20 arrests on my record from age 18-23. I am now almost 31. I do have one violent crime where I put my hands on a police officer and I got battery of a police officer. The other crime that I know may be hard to explain to the Board of registered is a petty theft. I was homeless and sick from MRSA and I stole some jeans from k mart when I was younger. I am so ashamed of these things. However, I have had all of my convictions expunged. I have a great job history since I got sober and I am a great student. I spend my free time helping other alcoholics to achieve sobriety, and I never want to forget the horrible life I left behind. Anyway, I am so scared to go into nursing school and then not be able to get my license. Does anyone have any positive experiences to share with me? I have faith that I can prove myself, but there will be many more hurdles to get over in my shoes. Thank you

[dirtyred3]

I am a nurse who had a criminal background before I obtained my license in Ga. I did have a few jobs turn me down when I first completed nursing school but I did not give up. I found that being honest is the way to go. never disclose your background until after you have secured an interview. This way the interviewer will have an opportunity to get to know you and then you will be able to explain that you were young, or whatever the case may be. On my last job, where I was the Director of Nursing, I interviewed with the owner and Executive Director and after we had talked for hours and I knew that they were impressed with me, I disclosed and they were both OK with it. Now that I have been a nurse for 6 years and have so much managerial experience, I find it easier to obtain jobs. It is also about building relationships with physicians and other clinicians. You will be fine. Hang in there.

[Cieritaqt, ADN, RN]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me!