Disorderly Conduct and Licensure

[andrewpierce]

So right now I am a senior nursing student in my last semester of school and I am filling out the license application (for DC). Way back in my past (i.e. 1999) I have a citation for disorderly conduct. Basically, my friends and I were being stupid. But this was a long time ago, and before I went to college (for my first degree). Will this affect my ability to get a license/get an ATT/sit for the NCLEX/get a job? When the application asks "have you ever been convicted or arrested for a crime or misdemeanor (other than a minor traffic violation)?", do I have to answer yes and then explain my circumstances? Notably, I passed my background check to be able to do all my clinical hours for school, but I think the one that they do for licensing is more extensive and goes back further.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to Nursing Licensure with Criminal History forum. Best wishes. Can you ask the BON about this?

[llg, PhD, RN]

Always tell the truth in such matters. The incident will probably have no effect on your ability to get a license or a job -- particularly if you are able to say you were "young and stupid" and you know better now that you have grown up. However, if you get caught lying -- that can hurt you big time.

So don't lie. If the question is "Were you ever arrested ..." and you were arrested, you have to answer "Yes." Then be prepared to explain the situation and produce any paperwork that documents the incident. You will have to answer "Yes" to that question for the rest of your life. There is not statute of limitations on telling the truth. The incident happened a long time ago -- but if you lie about it now, that dishonesty and un-trustworthiness would be current.