Criminal Record Effect On Career

Published

OKAY, GRADUATED NURSING SCHOOL IN 1995 AFTER ENDURING MY SISTER & GRANDMOTHERS DEATHS ALONG WITH THE PROGRAM DEMANDS. I WOULDN'T QUIT AND IT HELPED DISTRACT ME FROM THE LOSSES. BURIED THE PAIN AND DID WHATEVER IT TOOK TO KEEP GOING. I ENDED UP WITH A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM - I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE AT THE TIME. GRADUATED FROM PROGRAM, PASSED THE BOARDS AND EVEN SECURED EMPLOYMENT.REALIZED WITHIN SIX MONTHS LATER THAT THIS ADDICTION WAS OUT OF CONTROL (DESOXYN,COCAINE,METH,CRACK),AND NEVER WENT BACK TO THE JOB. LIFE HAD GONE FROM NURSING TO DRUGS, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHO I WAS OR WHAT I WAS DOING HALF THE TIME. ENDED UP WRITING A COUPLE CHECKS WHICH LEFT ME WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD OF TWO FELONYS OF UTTERING & PUBLISHING, ONE OF FORGERY. RECEIVED FIVE YEARS PROBATION AND WENT INTO REHAB. WAS A ROUGH TIME BUT I MADE IT THROUGH THE PROBATION AND REMAIN ACTIVE IN THE PROGRAM. THE ILLEGAL ACTS SAVED MY LIFE FOR GETTING CAUGHT PUT ME AT A BOTTOM I COULD OF NEVER IMAGINED I WOULD EVER BE. RN LIENCE WAS SUSPENDED AND ENDED UP LASPING I BELIEVE. I HAD BEEN UNDER THE UNDERSTANDING THAT I COULD HAVE THIS UXPUNGED AFTER FIVE YEARS SO I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL AND COMPLETED A RESPIRATORY CARE PROGRAM THAT ENDED RIGHT AT THE FIVE YEAR MARK. WENT TO ATTORNEY AND CAN ONLY EXPUNG IF THERE IS ONE FELONY. MEDICAL COMMUNITY DOSN'T HIRE FELONIST. ANY ADVISE OR SUGGESTIONS FROM ANYONE WHERE TO GO FROM HERE.

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Hey TMich...

Golly what a tought time you've been through. And somehow managed to get your RN and RT also. And now drug-free? I take my hat off to you, pal.

For what it's worth, I'd hire you, too. If it was up to me.

Here's my little story. About 12 yrs ago I committed Assault & Battery on a miserable SOB who desperately needed it. (My first wife's abusive husband, threatening my children after I had custody).

It's never hurt my career--but I was an RN when I did it. And it has made me 'explain' my conviction on job applications and when getting licenses in other states.

I have known RNs who were junkies, already employed at a Hospital when their stealing narcotics was noticed--and in some cases the Hospital works with them, putting them on a probationary basis and requiring that OTHER nurses handle all the drugs for them (even tylenol, lopressor, ancef, synthroid!!). This gives them the health insurance to pay for Rehab.

I'd advise you to go to the really large state-university, teaching hospital closest to you--thinking they'd have a more 'professional' hiring policy--and be completely straightforward. Offer to take routine, un-announced UrineDrugScreens. Give them your best 'good look'. And hope.

Best to you

Papaw John

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Talk to the BON and ask them how to petition for re-licensure. They may or may not allow you because of the felonies. But. How will you know unless you go through the process?

Most BONs allow nurses a second chance after drug dependence. The BON might considers your 'sins' part of that whole deal.

If it were me, I wouldn't take it as fact that I couldn't be re-licensed unless I heard it straight from the BON in a determination regarding my particular circumestances.

Go to their website, find their tele, and call and talk to somebody on Monday.

~faith,

Timothy.

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THANKS FOR YOUR SUGGESTION AND FOR SHARING. EVEN THE POSITIVE REMARKS ARE HELPFUL, MOST PEOPLE ONLY SEE THE NEGITIVE SIDE OF THE SITUATION AND WONDER HOW COULD THAT OF HAPPENED TO SOMEONE LIKE ME. I CHOOSE TO BE AWARE OF THE NEGITIVE BUT BE THANKFUL OF ALL THE POSITIVE FACTORS THAT RESULTED NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT FOR MANY AROUND ME. THAT OUTLOOK HAS GOT ME THROUGH LIFE AND CONTINUES TO HELP BE NOW. I LIVE IN A HEATH COMMUNITY WITH TEACHING COLLEGES AND HOSPITALS SO MANY BE I'LL TRY AGAIN AND IF NOT THERE HAS TO BE A NICHE OUT THERE FOR ME TO UTILIZE MY EDUCATION AND THE PART OF ME THATS A CARETAKER. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I HAVE LEARNED FROM THIS IS I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF ALSO. I RECENTLY WAS DIAGNOSIS WITH ADD AND SLEEP APNEA, SO I'M IN THE STAGES OF GETTING THOSE UNDER CONTROL. THEN MAYBE I CAN PROGRESS IN THIS CAREER LINE OR FIND ANOTHER CHALLENGE.

Hey TMich...

Golly what a tought time you've been through. And somehow managed to get your RN and RT also. And now drug-free? I take my hat off to you, pal.

For what it's worth, I'd hire you, too. If it was up to me.

Here's my little story. About 12 yrs ago I committed Assault & Battery on a miserable SOB who desperately needed it. (My first wife's abusive husband, threatening my children after I had custody).

It's never hurt my career--but I was an RN when I did it. And it has made me 'explain' my conviction on job applications and when getting licenses in other states.

I have known RNs who were junkies, already employed at a Hospital when their stealing narcotics was noticed--and in some cases the Hospital works with them, putting them on a probationary basis and requiring that OTHER nurses handle all the drugs for them (even tylenol, lopressor, ancef, synthroid!!). This gives them the health insurance to pay for Rehab.

I'd advise you to go to the really large state-university, teaching hospital closest to you--thinking they'd have a more 'professional' hiring policy--and be completely straightforward. Offer to take routine, un-announced UrineDrugScreens. Give them your best 'good look'. And hope.

Best to you

Papaw John

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THANKS TIM FOR THE SUGGESTION. YOUR RIGHT I'VE FOUGHT FOR MOST EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE WHY NOT THIS. I DID PUT ALOT OF WORK INTO THIS SO YOUR ADVISE IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. AND AFTER I GET THE FACTS AND IF ITS NOT POSSITIVE. THEN I WILL JUST HAVE TO FIND THAT NICHE THATS OUT THERE FOR WAITING FOR ME TO FILL.

Talk to the BON and ask them how to petition for re-licensure. They may or may not allow you because of the felonies. But. How will you know unless you go through the process?

Most BONs allow nurses a second chance after drug dependence. The BON might considers your 'sins' part of that whole deal.

If it were me, I wouldn't take it as fact that I couldn't be re-licensed unless I heard it straight from the BON in a determination regarding my particular circumestances.

Go to their website, find their tele, and call and talk to somebody on Monday.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Have you actually spoken with the BON in Michigan? There are still many things that you could be doing to put your education to use.:)

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Specializes in M/S, OB, Ortho, ICU, Diabetes, QA/PI.

for sure you need to speak with Michigan's BON - I've known of CRNA's in this state who had drug/alcohol dependence issues, were on probation for a while but are still licensed to work as CRNA's

don't let all your hard work be for nothing!!!

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