CRNAs with previous misdemeanors?

paccookie · Jul 13, 2006

I was wondering if any CRNAs out there had a previous misdemeanor prior to starting CRNA school. I am currently an RN and had a DUI prior to getting accepted into nursing school and had no problem obtaining a nursing license from my state. My concern is that it will pose a problem for me when I decide to apply to school, and even if I get accepted, I'm afraid that I could be denied a license after completing school. It has been 8 years since the conviction.

I think the most important thing is to be upfront and honest with the nursing board. We recently had a visit from one of the board members at our hospital and she told us about a CRNA who had been in jail for some stupid thing and lied about it on his application for the CRNA license. The board found out and he was not approved to practice in the state. :-(

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Jul 14, 2006

Yup, be honest and have some patter prepared about what you have done to change your life and address substance issues. I think if it was 8 years ago and you've stayed out of trouble, and you're good at your job and meet the criteria for admission, it is reasonable to give you a chance.

rn29306 · Jul 14, 2006

State boards can be fairly rough, but hospital credentialing agencies are TOUGH.

Background investigation by credentialing boards of hospitals makes state board inquiries look like cake.

Not saying you can't get credentialed, but you will have much more explaining to them than the state boards. You might have to attend the credentialing meetings and explain your situation.

dfk, RN, CRNA · Jul 14, 2006

i would think it depends on the state and judge.. records can be sealed by judge order.. some states will eradicate after so many months.. records can also be expunged.. (sort of the same thing as eradicate).. but i agree with above, be honest and explain if necessary what you've done/LEARNED since.. it seems if work will keep you, then you should also have a chance at a future as a CRNA.. just my 2cents.. you can keep the change if this doesn't help - -

good luck !

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Jul 15, 2006

dfk, I would really love it if you used a little more capitalization and appropriate punctuation! Easier on my burned-out SRNA brain.

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Jul 15, 2006

dfk, I would really love it if you used a little more capitalization and appropriate punctuation! Easier on my burned-out SRNA brain.

do such small things always annoy you?:monkeydance:

daveman · Jul 15, 2006

Interesting discussion on this topic. Luckily, I have never been arrested, but my little cousin was and he wants to take the Police exam. I told him what my best friend (an attorney) explained to me. Be upfront, but also keep in mind that one misdemeanor 8 yrs ago is likely more forgiveable than one 2 years ago. Your case is closed, it only happened once, you learned from it and you have moved on. Keep in mind with DUI/DWI or whatever they call it in your state, there have been so many of them that practically everybody knows someone who has one. I know a Firefighter with 1 within the last 5 yrs before he was hired and Firefighting is one field that has NO shortage of qualified applicants. It's not a felony, just be prepared to defend yourself. Good luck

dfk, RN, CRNA · Jul 15, 2006

apais (et al..)

c'mon.. this is an outlet.. and besides, it's much easier to do this than all that correct grammar junk.. will do it when necessary.. i have a feeling you can read just fine.. and, above all... i am a grammar freak... go figure.. can't i have my fun here and apply it when needed? no hard feelings by the way.. that's what a rather lengthy career in nursing does to ya.. curve the edges and become less worried about the little things.. in the end, my capitals and periods won't save ur life, but my knowledge will ...

enjoy !!

athomas91 · Jul 15, 2006

actually - if the record is sealed or expunged you should be ok...

because they ask if you have ever been convicted of a felony - the answer to that is not - and if they looked (and it was sealed or expunged) technically noone should be able to find any record of it ever happening... i would talk to someone with some legal background and see what you need to do.

takehair · Jul 15, 2006

yes agree with you.

donerebecca3 · Jul 15, 2006

Most states now a days don't allow a DUI to be expunged or sealed because of the severity of the issue. After all, it is a felony conviction. Your best bet is to be completely honest.