Do you know someone who has a criminal history and became a nurse?

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I have a misdemeanor from back in 2006 for shoplifting at macys (yes i know, what a stupid thing to do).

I've paid my fines, served probation and learned my lesson.

I was wondering if this will hold me back from becoming a nurse. Do you know of any nurses who have criminal histories?

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I don't know about state liscensure, but each school probably has a policy such as Macomb, which reads:

NURSING PROGRAM WAITING PERIODS*

If you have been convicted of a crime, you may be subject to a waiting period before you are eligible for admission to the Nursing Program. The following describes, in general terms, how long you must wait following completion of all terms and conditions of sentencing before you are eligible for admission to the Nursing Program.

Waiting Period

15 years


  1. A felony that involves the intent to cause death or serious impairment of a body function, that results in death or serious impairment of a body function, that involves the use of force or violence, or that involves the threat of the use of force or violence.
  2. A felony involving cruelty or torture.
  3. A felony involving intentional or reckless harm to a vulnerable adult by a caregiver or person with authority over a vulnerable adult.
  4. A felony involving criminal sexual conduct.
  5. A felony involving abuse or neglect.
  6. A felony involving the use of a firearm or dangerous weapon.
  7. A felony involving the diversion or adulteration of a prescription drug or other medications.
  8. An attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the felonies listed above.

10 years


  1. A felony, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit a felony, other than a felony with a 15 year waiting period set forth above.
  2. A misdemeanor involving the use of a firearm or dangerous weapon with the intent to injure, the use of a firearm or dangerous weapon that results in a personal injury, or a misdemeanor involving the use of force or violence or the threat of the use of force or violence.
  3. A misdemeanor involving intentional or reckless harm to a vulnerable adult by a caregiver or person with authority over a vulnerable adult.
  4. A misdemeanor involving criminal sexual conduct.
  5. A misdemeanor involving cruelty or torture.
  6. A misdemeanor involving abuse or neglect.

5 years


  1. A misdemeanor involving cruelty if committed by an individual who is less than 16 years of age.
  2. A misdemeanor involving home invasion.
  3. A misdemeanor involving embezzlement.
  4. A misdemeanor involving negligent homicide.
  5. A misdemeanor involving larceny.
  6. A misdemeanor of retail fraud in the second degree.
  7. Any other misdemeanor involving assault, fraud, or theft.

3 years


  1. A misdemeanor for assault if there was no use of a firearm or dangerous weapon and no intent to commit murder or inflict great bodily injury.
  2. A misdemeanor of retail fraud in the third degree.
  3. A misdemeanor involving the manufacture, delivery, or possession of a controlled substance.

1 year


  1. A misdemeanor involving the manufacture, delivery, or possession of a controlled substance, if the individual, at the time of conviction, is under the age of 18.
  2. A misdemeanor for larceny or retail fraud in the second or third degree if the individual, at the time of conviction, is under the age of 16.

*This document was prepared for information purposes only. In the event of a conflict between the statements in

this document and the language of MCL 330.1134a, MCL 330.1134a shall control. Please see MCL 330.1134a or consult your attorney for additional information.

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Specializes in DOU.

This guy has a criminal record, even served time in prison. He's awesome - I've seen him lecture a couple of times.

http://www.speakermatch.com/keynotespeakers/1329440370.htm

Check with your board of nursing.

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This really refers to felonies. You absolutely cannot work in health care if you have a felony. Period. Even when I began nursing school, they performed background checks, criminal history etc and I'll be honest in saying that I'm no saint... but I hold no FELONIES so I cleared the background check without question. Hope this helps, I wouldn't worry If I were you.

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Read again. It clearly says misdemeanors are included. Depends on the degree of the theft. From what I gather, it would be 5 years. "5 years: Any other misdemeanor involving assault, fraud, or theft."

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It all depends on the nursing program that you are applying to...I know for sure Wayne State says NO FELONIES!! Alot of the ADN programs look at the misdeameanors and the time from the initial charge, but I honestly beleive you will be just fine.

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u should look into having it expunged. im sure weve all made some type of mistakes when we were younger, not sure of all the stipulations but u should be able to go to michigan.gov and recieve all the info u need, i would try to have it dismissed before applying with the programs being so competitive but if thats your only offense u should qualify for that and just let the judge know what your trying to do. Good luck to u !!!!!!!!

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i only have the one misdemeanor for retail fraud on my record. it shouldnt really hold me back right?

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It might

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

This thread points to the very reason that we can't provide answers to these questions. Please discuss your issues with your school and/or your board of nursing.

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