Felony and nursing?

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Jun 18, 2016

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone can help me while I wait for the BON to contact me.
I received 2 Felonys in 2013. One for burglary II and one for knowingly concealing stolen property. I received a deferred sentence with one year supervised and 2 years unsupervised probation, my deferment ends in September of 2016 and I can apply for it to be expunged. I know the BON will still see the charges even after it's expunged but will potential employers as well? If they can, what are the chances I'll find employment. Will I even be considered for a license? The regulations weren't very clear to me or the nursing director at the school I plan on attending. She advised me to contact the BON, which I've done, I am just waiting for a call back.
Thank you in advance for all of the replies.

Contact the nursing board in your state and address it with them.

They generally have a very specific list of problematic penal code sections.

Finding employment is another issue. Most employers that I know have no trouble recruiting and generally have no need to accept damaged candidates. You may have to focus on the less desirable locations and jobs in order to get started.

Felonies are not taken lightly.

BSN16 · Jun 18, 2016

I'm unsure of most aspects of legal issues and nursing licensure, but i was under the impression that BON was more concerned about drug, alcohol, and violence related issues. I could be wrong though lol

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jun 18, 2016

In my state, if your record is "expunged" the only thing it will say on a CORI is "no adult convictions", and no longer lists whatever your charges were with "dismissed" or ""expunged" at the end of them.

That being said it IS NOT TRUE IN ALL STATES. With that further being said, it is often difficult to get a felony conviction off a record. There is also a check of some kind before you can go to a clinical site.

I would see an attorney to help you figure this out well before it becomes an issue.

Best wishes.

Thorn94 · Jun 18, 2016

I live in Oklahoma, which is why it's very confusing. They're very strict as well.

Thorn94 · Jun 18, 2016

In my state, if your record is "expunged" the only thing it will say on a CORI is "no adult convictions", and no longer lists whatever your charges were with "dismissed" or ""expunged" at the end of them.
That being said it IS NOT TRUE IN ALL STATES. With that further being said, it is often difficult to get a felony conviction off a record. There is also a check of some kind before you can go to a clinical site.
I would see an attorney to help you figure this out well before it becomes an issue.
Best wishes.

What state are you in? Come September it won't be actual charges, just like a settled case. That is how it was explained to me when I took the plea anyways. I was 18 and should have researched better.

Maxiebabe · Jun 21, 2016

Don't listen to anyone that says "you cannot become a nurse because you have a felony" I am liven proof that it is possible. I comitted burglary and theft by control when i was 21. I am currently 31. This is what I did and how I went about it.

First and foremost, I am a human being and made many mistakes of which I learned from. I was on probation for a year and 1/2. I finished that without any issues. I got a lawyer and had my felonies "set aside" Some states they are dismissed- I believe they are still visible on a BOARD background check regardless of where you live. The main point is, get them set-aside. The only way you will reach this is by not getting in trouble with the law after your offense. Prove that you are making better choices and that you made a mistake.

After getting my felony set aside, I was paranoid that I could not sit fit the NCLEX exam or get a RN license, SO i went to school to be a Nursing Assistant, the board of nursing will run the same exact background test and etc. as they would for a RN. After I completed the 1 month course, I faced the board of nursing. They took a sample of my nails for a drug test. Yep, not hair, not urine, nails and when I mean they, it was J2 labs. it came back clean. I actually attended my hearing over the phone. The reason why they took my nails (clippings) is because when I was convicted, I admitted to being under the influence. Anyways, the board of nursing allowed me to become a CNA. That is when I knew I can go to nursing school and will sit for the NCLEX exam next year. It is possible to go to nursing school. It is possible to become a nurse after a bump in the road. It just takes time. You need to call the board of nursing for your state and see what the criteria is. I believe in AZ, you have to wait 5 yrs from the offense date or probation date (termination) until you can get a CNA license or if you have your felony set aside.

I will add this, nurses get in trouble all the time and have to face the board. During my hearing, I had to listen to all the other nursing issues prior to mine. Lots of DUIs and stuff like that. The board will not just say- your done because you ****** up. They will give you chances, make you do diversion, etc. Unless you kill someone on purpose or something like that.

Good luck and keep me updated

Thorn94 · Jun 22, 2016

Thank you! In Oklahoma it is five years as well, I was just unsure if they would count it from the start of my deferred sentence or the end of my probation since it's not an actual conviction. If it is true that if you can be a CNA, you can be a nurse then I shouldbe okay. The director said come SeptemberI can start CNA program but in the meantime I still have not heard anything. I also called the TX BON because I am willing to relocate

Amera23 · Jul 1, 2016

I messed up big time when I was younger. At 21, I was convicted for theft, hot checks (misdemeanor) and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (felony). Sixteen years later, at 37 years old, I decided to go to Nursing school. After being accepted into Nursing school, I petitioned the BON in Texas, went through the Declatory Order process, did everything the BON asked and a few months later, was given the all-clear to sit for the NCLEX. I finished Nursing school this past May 2016, took the NCLEX a few days ago and now I'm an RN with a job in the ICU. I told my employer the truth about my past and it didn't bother them nor did they ask for details. Just be honest with them. Good Luck!

Thorn94 · Jul 10, 2016

I heard back from the BON last week....I got the all clear for licensing! I start nursing school in February (fingers crossed). She told me that I would have additional paperwork to submit when the time comes but they really only look at violent offenders here in Oklahoma.

DylDL28 · Feb 6, 2020

Hey @lourieg13, I was reading your post and I was wondering what state you live in. There's only a handful of states that "set-aside" charges instead of expungement. If you could let me know I would appreciate it very much. Our stories are similar in an uncanny way. Thank you for sharing your story, it's given me hope. I have done all my prerequisites and I applied for nursing school. Just like you I have a fingerprint clearance card and have my charges set-aside. I know other people (including family) who have had a colorful past and are currently working as a nurse. I'll find out this month, or the beginning of next month, if I get accepted. I'm just not willing to give up, and there's no way I can take "no" for an answer. Where there is a will, there is a way. I hope lol

Texasmama72 · Mar 25, 2020

Did you finish school?