Dismissed Misdemeanor...need advice please!

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I recently got accepted into nursing school in California. A year and a half ago, I got a misdemeanor for possession of marijuana. The case was dismissed after I took NA classes for a month. I am really worried though that my school will kick me out when they see on my background check that I have a dismissed misdemeanor. I don't know if I should confront my professor about this who has been giving me and my class orientation. Any advice is needed and would be so appreciated. Thank you.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Contact your school admissions office as they are the only ones who can answer your question. Were you asked about convictions or arrests? If convictions, then you have nothing to worry about as the charges were dismissed. If you were asked about arrests you may have a bigger issue. Has your background check already been completed? If not, contact yours school ASAP.

But be forewarned, if you get through school and are asked on your BoN registration application if you were ever arrested and you falsely state no you may have some issues for failing to correctly answer a question/falsifying your application and ultimately need to face the BoN disciplinary committee.

You can also check the threads in the nursing license with a criminal history section: Nursing Licensure With A Criminal History - Helping You Be a Better Nurse and the sticky posts there: https://allnurses.com/nursing-licensure-criminal/faq-nursing-licensure-163600.html

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I wasn't asked for convictions or arrests. On the application for the program, it just stated that I would have to submit a background check.

Thank you for the links. You've been a great deal of help.

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Most of the time when it says criminal it is referring to felonies. Rarely will it be asking about misdemeanors in reference to a criminal background. In fact i've never seen it. You had a charge dropped, misdemeanor I'm pretty sure you don't have anything to worry about.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Progressive Care.

I agree with the above poster. Contact your school and see what they say.Most importantly, always answer questions about arrests and convictions accurately. Not telling the truth makes things mighty worse...

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

even dismissed misdemeanors will show up "dismissed" on the background check. they will know. there are many questions just like this in the forum you were refered to by justbeachynurse "you can also check the threads in the nursing license with a criminal history section: nursing licensure with a criminal history - helping you be a better nurse and the sticky posts there: https://allnurses.com/nursing-licensu...re-163600.html" i'd start there. obviously we are not lawyers and there have been many in your shoes.....you will probably find the answers you seek in the aforementioned forum. good luck!

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