Old Conviction? Dashed hopes?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello Everybody! I'm new here. This looks like a wonderful forum for nurses and nurse wannabees. I wish I could take more time to just lurk and read posts before posting, but this is weighing very heavy on my heart and mind.

About six years ago I was arrested for shoplifting at Walmart. Even as I post this, I am extremely embarrassed and ashamed by it. I had hoped to leave that totally behind me. But now I am taking the NA class at our local college and desire very much to go on to become an RN, my fear is that I will go through all the education then be considered unhireable because of that earlier conviction. I wanted to ask my instructor about it, but am too embarrassed.

To those of you who presently work as nurses, what is the policy of the establishment where your work?

Not for Ann, but for others who may be reading this thread.....

As nurses, many of us work in people's homes..

They may have large amounts of money, narcotics, diamonds, emeralds, and other valuables "just lying around the house."

They may be too elderly, ill, infirm, forgetful, to even realize

the stuff is there. They don't realize that most people do not live their lives with large bottles of IV and PO narcotics crammed into the linen closet and in the cabinet under the bathroom sink.

And I've seen more than $ 300,000 lying about for months.....once came across 5 dusty rings in an unused

ash tray.........."oh yeah"........(they had forgotten about them, )

hadn't seen them in years, didn't even wonder where they

were...........

Large emeralds & diamonds ! She had lots more....

The jewelry wasn't high on her priority list.

People like these exist in every city and hospital. The public has

to be protected from sticky fingers and opportunists.

The elderly, weak, ill, trusting, deserve to be free of

those who perceive them as possible PREY.

If you have a character that looks for opportunities to

"get something for nothing"...........then there's a good

chance you do not belong in nursing.

I wish you well Ann, but honestly, I think your age at the time you committed the crime is against you.

People in positions of authority think thirty- somethings

should know the difference in right & wrong.....

A twelve year old knows better too. :-/

Ann- I was arrested at age 18 for a petty misdemeanor. Disorderly conduct. I spoke with the director of the program, and the state board. All agreed that I was a stupid kid, that I had already been punished, etc. No problems except for beind horribly ashamed of myself. My record had been expunged ( meaning to go away) in 6 mos. after the incident. We were told that FBI checks will find those too. My applications have asked for ANY convictions. I am honest, write petty misdemeanor-expunged.

Check your SBON web site. Most boards will not allow convivtions for sexual/assalut related crimes.

Stop torturing yourself, and don't allow others to shame you. Nobody knows what was going on at that time in your life. I know for myself that that was the most frightening and humiliating moment of my life. Hope things are getting better.

Originally posted by nursenoelle

Stop torturing yourself, and don't allow others to shame you. Nobody knows what was going on at that time in your life. I know for myself that that was the most frightening and humiliating moment of my life.

Thanks, Noelle. I know if it weren't for this conviction, I could easily have written the above post myself. I also feel very protective of those unable to protect themselves. I felt like crying when I read it. I recall a study done years ago which I wish I could get ahold of. According to this certain study, most people convicted of shoplifting NEVER steal again. The arrest, handcuffs and all, are just to humiliating. I don't know how the study was done, but I believe it. Those who do steal again and have repeated convictions are usually addicts after drug money.

I know God has forgiven me a long time ago. I'm praying for Him to direct my steps. I'm also concerned about fellow workers using me as a scapegoat to blame when something is missing or when they decide to steal something. It must be irrestible for a thief to have someone on their floor with a conviction already. That scares me.

My husband just gave me a pep talk, reminding me that God is in charge of my life and I just need to do what I have felt led to do; which in my case right now, is study study study. In fact, he advised me to stay off these boards, at least while school is in session.

Thank you so much for all the hopeful and also not so hopeful responses. I need to be going into this with both eyes open.

Specializes in Peds, Pre and post op.

I heard in my RN class as long as you report all former misdemeanors you should be fine.

As a dumb butt 17 I also got busted for shoplifting. I wish it never happened, but it did. I dont steal anymore, and I will NEVER steal EVER again. I learned my lesson. One time I accidentally forgot to pay for a roll of tape at the post office (I got it to tae up a package and by the time I got to the front of the long line I forgot about it). I went back the next week and paid for it.

I'm 21 now and from what I know this wont affect my future RN license, as long as I report it. I really wish I didnt have to though..its...sooo embarrasing. I guess we all have things in our life that were are ashamed of

I work acute care so this may not apply to LTC. Today's background checks include past troubles with the law, past employment problems, and even credit problems, so this will be an issue that likely won't go away for you. Even one bad work experience in a 27 yr career can haunt a nurse forever and come up at every interview. It does me and I must grin and bear it. It is the nature of this profession, unfortunately. I have heard that LTC facilities may not be as stringent as acute care, and are more willing to give a nurse a chance.

In an employment at will, right to work, nonunion state (like mine), employers can eliminate or fire someone for just about any reason they want as long as they're not violating the law. And they may not say it out loud, you just won't be called. I don't know what things are like in your area, though.

I wish you well and I know people can change, but I fear this may well haunt you in this particular profession, where we are entrusted with peoples lives, and expected to be superhuman specimens....LOL!

There is a shortage of nurses now but I don't know if this effects how HR judges a good nurse hire or not.

Perhaps someone here with HR experience will respond as they are more in the know. :)

Ann, I sent you a Private Message earlier today...

But for the grace of God. There go I.

Okay! I contacted the KY BON! They sent me a document detailing their policies about applicants with criminal convictions. If anyone would like a copy, pm me your email address and I'll send it to you. It's five pages of faqs.

Someone mentioned they had a charge that had been expunged. This is what they say about that:

"Do I report the conviction if it has been expunged?

You do not need to report convictions that have been removed from your record as a result of a formal court ordered expungement. You must check with the court to make sure it was actually expunged before answering "No" to the conviction question on your application."

It sounds like it's basically a case by case examination. I will be required to submit the following documents to the Board office:

~ A personally written letter of explanation

~ An official (certified) copy of the court record(s)

~ Additional information as requested

I was encouraged yesterday when I discovered that a nursing home, near where I like,wants to hire me this summer as soon as I complete the NA course. Maybe my future won't be bleak afterall? :confused:

Specializes in midwifery, ophthalmics, general practice.

oh good news............I am pleased for you.

Karen

Ann, Great News!! Goes to show it is different based on the situation and probably based on the state as well. That is something that you do not have to mention the crime if it was esponged off the record. I did not think you would have any problem. My Friend, Best wishes on your great future, you will be just marvelous!! :p

Originally posted by RN2007

That is something that you do not have to mention the crime if it was esponged off the record. I did not think you would have any problem. My Friend, Best wishes on your great future, you will be just marvelous!! :p

oops! I posted that part about a crime being exponged for the sake of another poster who said that something was exponged off of HER record. My record is still intact. :o

I guess I'll just do whatever I have to do. And cross those bridges when I come to them. I honestly can't imagine changing my major or purpose for going to school. Since I've decided to become a nurse, I can't picture myself as anything BUT a nurse!

Thank you for all the well-wishing! I hope all goes well for you too. :)

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