Employment in Texas

[paxxy782]

I'm a student in Texas working on my pre-requisites and I have a class B misdemeanor (deferred adjudication) for a criminal mischief charge on my record from 12 years ago. This is the only time I was ever involved with the law and the only mark I have on my record.

After reading multiple posts on here about other pre-nursing students who had criminal records and were allowed to get their nursing education and finally get their license does make me feel somewhat better about my situation. I understand that getting into a nursing program and getting the Texas BON to ok the license with a criminal record is one thing.

BUT, the big question I have is for those nurses that graduated and got licensed and have a criminal record....how hard was it to actually get a job here in Texas with a criminal record?

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Paxxy

[Anonymous1257]

Most employers won't care at all about the misdemeanor on your record. In fact I would be shocked to find a single employer that would even bring it up. What you might run into however is the BON forcing you to do forced "voluntary" programs that making getting your first job a nightmare. The BON specializes in punishing people for mistakes for which they've already paid.

[paxxy782]

Most employers won't care at all about the misdemeanor on your record. In fact I would be shocked to find a single employer that would even bring it up. What you might run into however is the BON forcing you to do forced "voluntary" programs that making getting your first job a nightmare. The BON specializes in punishing people for mistakes for which they've already paid.

Thank you for the reply.

If I can ask do you now of any nurses that have had a mark against there criminal record and have not had any trouble getting a job once graduating?

Also...if the Texas BON does a declaratory order and knows about the misdemeanor befor starting school will they then let someone know if later down the road that will make them do the "voluntary" programs?

[Anonymous1257]

I have 3 friends who have had issues, 2 with DUI's, both a decade or more old, they had a bunch more paperwork to do for the BON, but that was it. No workplace ramifications. Another friend who had some previous substance abuse issues many many years ago, he's the one being forced to do the program, and it's the program itself that requires the place of employment to offer more supervision and reporting, so it makes him an unattractive candidate for jobs. The good news is it's only for his first job, subsequent jobs he'll be able to apply and work like anyone else(this is my understanding at least). You can always contact the Texas BON directly and ask them, as well.

i don't think the BON has the resources or cares to track every burse with a misdemeanor and inform them. It'll be asked on the job application anyways.