Criminal Records and Nursing in Virginia

[tdi213]

Hello all,

I intend to apply Northern Virginia Community College's Online/Hybrid RN program in a week, and their literature contains a lot of conflicting information regarding criminal records. I have contacted the program but have yet to get a response for my situation. If anyone here could offer advice or help, I'd greatly appreciate it. Now, on to my situation:

I have two misdemeanor convictions: one from 2007 (Driving on a Suspended License, amended to Driving with an Invalid License) and one from 2008 (Reckless Driving, doing 83 in a 65). Now, here's where things get a little tricky. NVCC states in some of their literature that they will categoricllay not admit anyone with a misdemeanor conviction, but then in other literature they say that they waive one alcohol-related offense if it was issued more than five years ago. Furthermore, their FAQs (http://www.nvcc.edu/campuses-and-centers/medical/academic-divisions/nursing/nursingprogramfaqs-rev031213.pdf) state the following:

The Commonwealth of Virginia may prohibit anyone from sitting for the Nursing Licensing Examination who has been convicted of a felony or of crime(s) involving theft, drug offenses or physical harm to another, therefore NOVA will not consider persons convicted of the above offenses for admission to the NOVA Nursing Program. In addition, the Nursing Program is authorized to deny enrollment to any student who has been arrested and charged with a felony pertaining to controlled substances and who was adjudicated guilty, or adjudicated was withheld because of placement in a pre-trial intervention program or who entered a plea of nolo contendere. Students who do not pass the background check or drug screen are subject to denial of admission to the program or dismissal from the program. Such dismissed students will not be allowed admission in any other NOVA Allied Health or Nursing program. In the event a student is denied participation at a clinical site, no other clinical arrangement will be made and the student is required to withdraw from the Nursing Program.

Now, it seems to me here that my convictions won't disqualify me from the program or from licensure, but that I may be denied entry into clinicals based on a hospital's policy regarding criminal convictions. For those familiar with NVCC's clinical affiliates, do you know any who frown upon the misdemeanors I mentioned?

Again, any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much in advance.

[tdi213]

Hello all,

I just wanted to give an update regarding my situation so that any worriers like myself who are applying to NVCC's ADN program have a reference of sorts.

After talking to many people who were just as unsure about things as I was, I took the advice of one of the program's administrators and ordered a background check through the company that does the background checks and drug tests for all NVCC nursing students. While my convictions did show up on the criminal background report, this report undergoes a process called "extensive review," where the company checks your convictions with Virginia's "barrier crimes," or those crimes that absolutely bar you from VA BON licensure. Based off of this, you either pass or fail the background check. Since none of my crimes constituted a barrier crime, I passed the check.

So, here's what you can take from this: you will be admitted to NVCC's nursing program if you pass this check, and I believe it's safe to assume that a pass also allows you entry into any of NVCC's clinical sites. HOWEVER, disclosure of your criminal history to VA's BON is a totally different story. From what I have gathered, all crimes must be disclosed to the VA BON. That being said, if you're honest about your past convictions and none of them are for barrier crimes, you'll have no problem getting through the VA BON.

[ftino]

Did NVCC let you participate in the clinical part of the program?

I have a drug felony (for possession) but it does not fall under 'barrier laws'. When I talked with the Vice Dean for the NVCC PTA program, she said that anyone with a felony will not be allowed to participate in the clinical part of the program; ie essentially not be able to finish the program.

Do you know any NVCC resources/people that know more than what the Vice Dean of the PTA program has been telling me?

[t100rc]

Could you provide any information regarding the company performing the background check? I have been accepted into the program and want to have a look-see just to be certain.

Thanks!!

[hmmsamantha]

So were you able to get liscenced? I was charged with a felony (grand theft) when i was 13 (now 21) and i was worried about being able to sit for boards. Also did you disclose your crime to the dean prior to applying? im not sure if it would ruin my chances of getting in.

[xdrowe]

Did this hinder you when participating in clinicals?