Change to License Requirements???

U.S.A. Florida

Published

My school sent out a memo today saying that the Florida Board of Nursing has changed its rules - in order to sit for your license you must be criminal free for 15 years on a level 1 background check. This is a change from the case by case basis.

Just wondered if anyone else has heard this news. It effects a few girls in my class and they were told to drop out of the program. Needless to say there were some on year 2 that were in the same boat. Sure I know that it was always risky - because the board could turn you down - but this is incredible.

Love to hear what others have heard.

Suz

Silverdragon102, BSN

1 Article; 39,477 Posts

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Can't see anything on the Florida website about this. Just states each case is dealt with case by case. Can your teachers provide you with a link?

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing/nur_faq.html#Discipline

I checked as well. Going to grab the memo at school tomorrow and post the info from it directly. Crazy!!!

Destinyx13

56 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg.

I heard the same thing form a few girls who are finishing up school this year! They said that a few people in their class were affected as well. CrazY!

FLmomof5

1,530 Posts

it was in the news. it is part of the fl law that states that one cannot get a license unless you are felony free for 15 years. (i guess that is what they mean by level 1...)

if the crime was a misdemeanor, it is still case-by-case.

if you look at the license application dated august 2009, it contains the following:

important notice: effective july 1, 2009, section 456.0635, florida statutes, provides that healthcare boards or the department boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination in the applicant has been:

1. convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendre to a felony violation of: chapters 409, 817, or 893, florida statutes; or 21 u.s.c. ss. 801-970 or 42 u.s.c. ss 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application.

2. terminated for cause from florida medicaid program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent five years).

3. terminated for cause by any other state medicaid program or the medicare program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent five years).

www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing/ap_licensure-rn-lpn.doc

morte, LPN, LVN

7,015 Posts

it was in the news. it is part of the fl law that states that one cannot get a license unless you are felony free for 15 years. (i guess that is what they mean by level 1...)

if you look at the license application dated august 2009, it contains the following:

important notice: effective july 1, 2009, section 456.0635, florida statutes, provides that healthcare boards or the department boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination in the applicant has been:

1. convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendre to a felony violation of: chapters 409, 817, or 893, florida statutes; or 21 u.s.c. ss. 801-970 or 42 u.s.c. ss 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application

www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing/ap_licensure-rn-lpn.doc

what crimes do these statutes cover?

FLmomof5

1,530 Posts

DaddyDrake

2 Posts

BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!

I was just kicked out of the Polk State College nursing program over this new bill. I'm an honors student (Phi Theta Kappa) and I'm very passionate about nursing, but because I caught a possession of Xanax without a prescription six years ago I can't apply for a license in the state of Florida.

I'm not a freakin' junkie. I was first diagnosed with GAD and Panic Disorder when I was 13. I had an Rx prior to and since I was convicted. If it wasn't for the fact that we have a broken healthcare system in this country I would have had an Rx then.:angryfire

I'm so hurt by this situation. I'm a good nurse. I made a mistake when I was still a jitterbug. My conviction was unadjudicated. I still have all of my rights. I guess the State of Florida deems me fit to carry a pistol, but unfit to apply therapeutic touch to a sick person.

Does anyone know if this statute still applies to applicants if the charge is expunged or if your record is sealed?

If not, it's time to rent a UHAUL.

Joshua Drake Monroe

rjflyn, ASN, RN

1,240 Posts

Specializes in Emergency.
BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!

I was just kicked out of the Polk State College nursing program over this new bill. I'm an honors student (Phi Theta Kappa) and I'm very passionate about nursing, but because I caught a possession of Xanax without a prescription six years ago I can't apply for a license in the state of Florida.

I'm not a freakin' junkie. I was first diagnosed with GAD and Panic Disorder when I was 13. I had an Rx prior to and since I was convicted. If it wasn't for the fact that we have a broken healthcare system in this country I would have had an Rx then.:angryfire

I'm so hurt by this situation. I'm a good nurse. I made a mistake when I was still a jitterbug. My conviction was unadjudicated. I still have all of my rights. I guess the State of Florida deems me fit to carry a pistol, but unfit to apply therapeutic touch to a sick person.

Does anyone know if this statute still applies to applicants if the charge is expunged or if your record is sealed?

If not, it's time to rent a UHAUL.

Joshua Drake Monroe

Write to and ask the board of nursing there the ones to best give you an answer. That or you could always have the FBI send you a copy of your record for you to see for yourself. I believe you will have to send in fingerprints in order to obtain said record.

Hi I am in the same boat as many of the nursing students and all other Health care professionals. I was at the August board meeting and was one of the people that got denied a CNA license, which I was obtainning to work at a local hospital in their Nurse Extern program. I am in my 2nd year of RN school and have been told repeatedly to drop out and give up. I have been in contact with other students and health care professionals that fall into this category. I have also been in contact with several lawyers in the state of Florida and they are working on starting a website and a class action suit.

The state has tied the hands of the BoN. The law states that no one with a felony conviction regardless of ajudication shall not recieve a NEW license or be RENEWED until there is 15 years between the time the court releases you (ex. probation, treatment, restitution ect) and obtaining a license!!

While I was at the meeting I saw people getting licenses that have violent crimes on their backround recently!!

My question is...

When is a person considered beyond a piece of paper to what their real character is??

Why can I carry a concealed weapon in the state but can not take care of people that need me??

Where is the justice

rjflyn, ASN, RN

1,240 Posts

Specializes in Emergency.

All its going to ultimately do is exacerbate the nursing shortage in FL. Add this on top of the already notoriously low pay in FL and the fact there are a huge number of for profit hospitals down there no ones going to want to work there. The only option for students that are already in school most like will be to leave the state. Im sure there are other places, that pay a whole lot more that will be more than glad to take you.

My question though is with all the people friendly laws they have MrSmartin mentions CCW- specifically where did they pull this one out of their collective butts.

FLOBRN

169 Posts

Specializes in NICU,MB,Lact.Consultant, L/D.

Josh

So why were you kicked out of the program??? Just because you get your schooling in Fl does NOT mean you have to take your boards here. If you are willing to relocate, you CAN save your career by sitting your boards in another - more friendly state. I did my education in Wa state, took my boards in Maine and have worked in many other locations since then.

Just a thought.

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