Felony Adjudication withheld

SuzieVN · Apr 4, 2013

You're considered guilty on both counts, but you were not 'convicted'. So you have a record, and it's permanent. You will have to report that to every BON, all your life. Grand theft is a barrier crime to working in a lot of places, if you do get your license. Might want to talk to a legal person about what you are facing, the odds of getting a license, and then the odds of getting a job. Might be that after so many years, the automatic barrier drops, also.

PnutButterJelly · Apr 4, 2013

I had a misdemeanor from 2006 for a $30 check on my record. I had to get it expunged before I could do clinicals. No site would have let me work with it. I don't know what your hospitals are like, but I would imagine it is going to be difficult to find one that will allow you. I would recommend asking the director of your program these questions. Good luck.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 5, 2013

Keep in mind that just because the BON says they're OK with your criminal record doesn't mean that employers, clinical sites, nursing schools, etc., automatically have to accept your record. Each entity reserves the right to review your record and accept/reject you based on their guidelines.

I would talk to your attorney, both if you have questions about how you should answer questions on employment applications as well as getting your record expunged (if expungement is an option in your state and for your particular conviction).

And heads-up: just because the BON says now you'll have no problem getting licensed doesn't guarantee anything. It is a promising sign, but they will make the official decision only when you actually apply for your RN/LVN license.

Best of luck.

MissRNBlue803 · Apr 15, 2013

Hello everyone,
I am currently in nursing school in jax, fl. In 2006 i had two counts of grand theft retail with the adjudication withheld on both. I will be starting clinicals soon and I'm worried about the sites denying me for these charges. I do have my CNA license and the BON told me that I shouldn't have any problems obtaining my license. I am just so worried about being able to complete my clinicals. I do know that my first clinical site is Shands but not sure of the other sites. Any info would help or anyone who has gone through this would be helpful too. Thanks Ana

Baptist might let you do clinicals but if you can't get cleared by Baptist you will not be able to continue in the nursing program

gsamanez · Jan 6, 2014

Hey how is it going, im in the same pathway as you and finishing my prereq in nursing.I live in miami fl though so i just wanted to hear you story because i see this thread was like 9 months ago. anyways according to people that i know thats been in the same pathway they get accepted into the program and able to sit for the state exam. i myself was charge for burglary of dwelling unnoccupied , grand theft, and dealing with stolen property, plus i have a misdemeanor of possesion of marijuana -20grams. the good thing about all these charges is that there adjudication withheld meaning im not convicted. but i have faith and hope that ill be a nurse. to be honest you gotta be positive and surround yourself with positive people. dont lose faith. if you have any question just text/pm me. ill answer any question you need.

BabyRN2Be · Jan 7, 2014

Hey how is it going, im in the same pathway as you and finishing my prereq in nursing.I live in miami fl though so i just wanted to hear you story because i see this thread was like 9 months ago. anyways according to people that i know thats been in the same pathway they get accepted into the program and able to sit for the state exam. i myself was charge for burglary of dwelling unnoccupied , grand theft, and dealing with stolen property, plus i have a misdemeanor of possesion of marijuana -20grams. the good thing about all these charges is that there adjudication withheld meaning im not convicted. but i have faith and hope that ill be a nurse. to be honest you gotta be positive and surround yourself with positive people. dont lose faith. if you have any question just text/pm me. ill answer any question you need.

Hi,

I'm wondering if you've read the other posts especially by Meriwhen. You can't go strictly on what a stranger says on an Internet message board from anecdotal experience. It's fine to get support, but for more concrete answers fo to your BON.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 9, 2014

Hi,
I'm wondering if you've read the other posts especially by Meriwhen. You can't go strictly on what a stranger says on an Internet message board from anecdotal experience. It's fine to get support, but for more concrete answers fo to your BON.

Personal/ancedotal experience isn't always a bad thing though, as you're getting firsthand information from someone who has gone through similar circumstances.

However, people need to be wary of relying on personal/ancedotal info as the rule of how THEIR particular case may turn out.

The fact is that there are 51 BONs that see things in 51 different ways...so the lines are drawn rather like a crazy quilt. One state may look at your record and grant you a license, while state #2 imposes restrictions and state #3 says "Sorry, but No." Nurses with similar criminal histories may have very different outcomes.

You also can't compare histories and think that because your record is (in your opinion) better or worse than someone else's that you have a chance/no chance of licensure. Some nurses with a felony get licensed; some nurses with only misdemeanors get smacked down. A nurse with a conviction from 20 years ago may have to appear in front of the BON, while the one with the more recent conviction seems to have minimal problem getting the license.

Just look through all the threads in this forum to see how all over the place BONs can be.

As the PP said, YOUR BON is the one who will give you the most concrete and accurate answer. What we say here doesn't mean anything in the end--it's the BON's word that does.

gsamanez · May 23, 2014

so far any good news on florida bon accepting you licensure as a rn....its been years now let me now

gsamanez · Mar 16, 2015

my question is how the hell do you to talk to the bon. I called there number and spoke to a representative. And he said just risk it and see what happens. He was convincing me to do cna nursing assistance since its only 3 months and see if they allow to take the state exam.

Tinyaclements · Oct 27, 2017

First leg me start by saying don't take advice from anyone, it's a case by case situation. I plead to a felony grand theft charge (due to public assistance fraud, which basically I was charged due to the money the state of Florida wanted me to pay back, although I never attempted to defraud, I couldn't afford to pay it all in one lump sum of 24k so I pled guilty) in 2014, adjudication was witheld, I applied to take my license for BON in Hawaii because I was denied a chance to test by the state of Florida bon. After I passed I attempted to get license by endorsement in 2015, was informed I needed to appear before the board in April 2016, I was denied again. I was devastated, but I refused to give up, I hired a health law attorney to assist me with my application, she was phenomenal and told me it would be a journey after the denial but I was ready to do whatever. I applied again in may of 2017, finally got a notice to appear before the board on October 5, 2017. I was granted my license with no restrictions, I have two jobs, one at a doctors office as an ob Triage nurse and at a detox center part time. Don't ever give up.

hadley8 · Sep 6, 2019

Hello Tinyaclements if you still on here can you please email at [email protected].