felony record sealed, should I proceed with school to become an RN?

[nakkie99]

I got a felony conviction back in 2004 for theft. I have since had my record sealed, but I'm wondering if I should continue on to nursing school. Will I even be able to be licensed, much less find a job? As if that isn't enough, I got a DUI last April!

[Flo., BSN, RN]

Check you local board of nursing website, you may not qualify.

[AgentBeast, MSN, RN]

You can try, but usually any negative mark that shows up on a background check automatically disqualifies you from even entering a nursing program. The Board's position at least in Ohio is somewhat more lenient as depending on the type and nature of the conviction they might only restrict the type of patient populations you are allowed to work with. All of that is pointless though as you will likely be prohibited from even attending nursing school based on what a background check would turn up. Hospitals just won't allow students with a checkered past on their floors. They want students attending clinicals at their facility to have spotless background checks, and so Nursing Schools can't accept students with any sort of blemish on their record. Schools have and will deny admission to their nursing programs for something as seemingly innocuous as a misdemeanor for passing one bad check. That is the way it is.

[FLmomof5]

Not quite true Scott. I had 3 misdemeanors, was accepted to NS, the clinical facilities didn't have a problem with my background. I got my license and jobs.

With the felony, the BON will see it even if it has been sealed. At that point, the question is: what was the felony. If it is drug related or violence related you would have a serious problem. If it is like a felony like my son has "tresspassing on a construction site", the board would look at time since conviction and what you did to turn your life around.

Your issue will be complicated by the DUI. The BON will see that you may not have completely turned your life around. Many folks have posted here that they had mega trouble getting into NS or getting a license because of a DUI.

I would talk to the board, but they may simply tell you that it will be judged on a case by case basis. That DUI is really gonna hurt you.

[FLmomof5]

Oh, and Scott, my 3 misdemeanors were for 3 bad checks.