4 Felony arrests, ALL dismissed LPN/GA student

[LPNWannabe80]

Hello everyone! I am new to this site, and like EVERYONE else on here that is concerned about their background, so am I... Here goes... I was arrested Aug 2010 for Criminal attempt to obtain marijuana with intent to distribute, and again on Jan 19 2011 for Hindering Apprehension or punishment of a fugitive & reproduction of recorded material on the same day, and AGAIN (I know this ALREADY seems hideous) on Jan 25 for tampering with evidence. ALL charges were dismissed, without EVER going to court (which is weird). I am in the process of expunging these charges, and I am currently in an LPN program, but I am VERY stressed with the thought of me NOT being able to take my clinicals as I am taking my last 2 classes before applying to the program. I know my charges look bad, and there's an explanation for each, (wrong husband, MAJOR naiveness, and stupidity) but I just wonder if I will be accepted, let alone be able to sit for NCLEX. Question, is there ANY difference in ARRESTS, verses CONVICTIONS when dealing with the BON, or is it looked at on the same level, and if expunging your record doesn't change anything, then WHY is everybody rushing to do this BEFORE taking the NCLEX? PS: didn't proofread :-)

Signed, Mrs. Hopeful

Thanks a WHOLE bunch for ANY responses

Haven't quite gotten this site down packed yet, and was hoping someone could move this to a better suited forum. Thanks in advance.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

We can not give legal advice per AN TOS, however, I would have a discussion with an attorney regarding this.

I had been listening on the news as of late that adults with charges that were dismissed may be able to have a statement on their cori regarding "no adult charges" or something of that nature. I have no idea if this would be the case in your situation or not.

Only an attorney can tell you that. Or you can try to see if your local police department has a court officer who can look onto your cori and see exactly what is on there.

Unfortunately, there is no real explanation option for some things. It may give the illusion of explaining, but some policies are clear in that you can not have a criminal record.

Best wishes!

[LPNWannabe80]

Thanks for your response Jadelpn! If you will, what did you mean by saying "some policies are clear in that you can not have a criminal record?" To "some what" of my understanding, I thought that people have been granted their license with arrests, and that the state looks at everyone individually on a case by case basis. I'm asking, because an associate of mine has received his license, and he had a murder charge dropped, (wrong man) but he was also convicted of trafficking, and finished all probation, and got those 2 things expunged. He does have a restriction on his license for a period unknown, and (off course) he works in dialysis. He's an RN by the way. That just gives me life, knowing that he could jump over those hoops.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

You need to rush this because they may not approve for you to sit for NCLEX at all. In some cases arrests and convictions are different. Like the BON states they look at things on and individual case by case basis. Remember the BON is NOT your friend. Please consult an attorney that is familiar with licensing law.

[LPNWannabe80]

Thanks Esme12! I also am wondering if the SCHOOL will allow me in if this isn't expunged before entering the program, AND will I be able to do clinicals?? Once/if I get accepted, by the time I do take the NCLEX, I will be May 2016 of me graduating. Hopefully the expungment will have been approved or gone through by then! I'm in FULL prayer EVERY DAY!

[onehope67]

I would meet with the director of nursing at your school and be completely open and upfront about this. In my opinion (I have two misdemeanors and had to wait 5 years past conviction date to begin) arrests should not matter as long as they did not result in a conviction. I am not an attorney nor know all of the rules and regulations, I just know what applied to me and I had convictions. Mainly it is based upon the date you were convicted and in your case, you were not convicted of a crime so I really would not anticipate a delay in beginning the program or clinical. However, when you submit your application for a license, I would disclose everything because the BON will find it.