Felony Conviction

Pab_Meister · Jan 18, 2004

Cruisin!

Don't panic. This topic was just discussed a couple of weeks ago. You may want to do a search on this BB.

What you need to do is to go to the web site of the state licensing board in the state where you hope to be practicing. In a nutshell, you will have to jump through a few more hoops than the rest of us, but as long as you've been a good boy since, it is doable.

Good luck!

suger_baby110 · Jan 18, 2004

I am in the same boat .I too have a felony conviction from when i was young and dumb and now i'm trying to find out the same . I'm 31 and wanting to be a nurse and don't know if i can . i live in ohio any info would greatly be appreciated. Don't give up!!!!

:rolleyes:

fulwood · Jan 18, 2004

I would do as suggested and contact (perhaps anonymously) your local state BON and ask them. Also go to BON website and see what it says. I am in same boat in a way. Got DWI 18 years ago but nothing since then. I was stupid - no tickets or anything since then. Mine was misdemeanour. I recently applied to local school district to tutor 2nd graders and on application the info was worded in such a way that I didn't really have to admit to my DWI but my conscience plagued me and I decided to let them know. I was embarrassed but the person I spoke to was lovely and it wasn't an issue. Good luck.. Dependent upon felony I really don't think it will prevent you from nursing....

suger_baby110 · Jan 18, 2004

see cruisen there is hope for us i believe we can do it . keep your head up mine is ! we might be embarrased by our past but don't let it get in our way.:)

BarbPick · Jan 21, 2004

Did you tell the school first of all. Second, thefts are forgiven, especially from so long ago. Just tell anyone who will listen. I knew a nurse, male, who had some felony anger based. It was more recent than yours they put him on probation and let him practice.

SERland · Oct 31, 2005

I am also trying to find out for myself since i have a past felony conviction and served prison time will i be able to obtain my licences once i complete my nursing degree. I have wrote to the Nursing board here in Arkansas, and they wrote me back and told me that my conviction was one of the ones that would not allow me to be licensed, but they could not deny me from applying. I went on to further research the Arkansas Department of Health rules and regs for criminal background checks for long term care facilities and it stated that after 10 years from the date of my conviction with no other convictions since that i can apply and obtain my licensure. So i wrote the Nursing Board twice so far with this information for them to verify with no response as of yet. I am determined to complete nursing school and obtained my licenses somehow someway. Any advice i can get would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 1, 2005

I am also trying to find out for myself since i have a past felony conviction and served prison time will i be able to obtain my licences once i complete my nursing degree. I have wrote to the Nursing board here in Arkansas, and they wrote me back and told me that my conviction was one of the ones that would not allow me to be licensed, but they could not deny me from applying. I went on to further research the Arkansas Department of Health rules and regs for criminal background checks for long term care facilities and it stated that after 10 years from the date of my conviction with no other convictions since that i can apply and obtain my licensure. So i wrote the Nursing Board twice so far with this information for them to verify with no response as of yet. I am determined to complete nursing school and obtained my licenses somehow someway. Any advice i can get would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Hello, SERland,:balloons:

Having professional experience with the Arkansas BON, they may not license you. You are correct in the fact they cannot prevent you from seeking an education and graduating from nursing school, but, can and usually do deny licensure for convicted felons, depending upon the conviction. Since you have already discussed the type of conviction with them, I believe they were trying to prepare you for future denial of licensure.

You may be able to receive licensure in another state.

Good luck and keep trying to contact the BON.

SERland · Nov 2, 2005

Thank you for your response, i do intend to stay in contact with BON. I really hadn't thought of trying to get licensed in another state. If i was to do so, would i only be allowed to practice in the state that i am licensed in?

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 2, 2005

Thank you for your response, i do intend to stay in contact with BON. I really hadn't thought of trying to get licensed in another state. If i was to do so, would i only be allowed to practice in the state that i am licensed in?

Yes, you cannot practice in another state without that states' license.

a21chdchic · Jul 29, 2007

We all have a skeleton or two in our closets that we are ashamed of, but live and learn, life goes on.

But Felony conviction - ouch. That will be extremely difficult to overcome, and BON's are not forgiving for these, actually society is not real forgiving for these, either. I'm licensed in 5 states, none of which are forgiving. Good luck. It is commendable that you wish to give back to society, but I suggest giving it a limited amount of time in which to meet your goal, if at the end of that time, you aren't making progress, I would suggest re-directing your energies in a field that is more forgiving. Again good luck.