Getting a job with a juvie record

[kimmiocean12]

Hello,

I am new to all nurses, I have been on this site for awhile so I figured i should just make an account.

I am currently in school finishing my AS degree and my prereqs to get into a ADN program. I am ready to apply in august (yay!), I also finished my CNA training course and clinical and now I am waiting to take the Florida CNA State Exam to get certified.

When I applied to the CNA program they did a level 2 background check and I was able to put an explanation of what the charge was - if any. I did put that I was "arrested" for shoplifting a 10 dollar pair of earrings but was not convicted. I was 14 at the time and this was almost 6 years ago. I was put in a diversion program, completed the program, and had the records sealed. I have nothing else on my record, not even a traffic violation. For the CNA class and the clinicals this was fine. I'm not even sure if it came up on the check - I just put it there to be sure.

Just recently I did an FBI background check, an FDLE background check and checked with the local courthouse for records and nothing came up for my finger prints or my name and SSN. I called the BON in Florida and they said that my charge will not matter for certification or being licensed, and they said it is very possible it will not come up for them either but to send them an email explaining what happened to be on the safe side.

What I am concerned about is that once I spend all this time, money, and effort to go to school to become a nurse and than find out i can not get hired anywhere. I know any criminal record looks bad and is a strike against a potential employee. I really want to get a job in a hospital, (a lot of hospitals are hiring CNAs where I live right now too), but now I feel very discouraged and I'm not sure If I am wasting my time... It seems so silly to me since I was just a stupid kid when this happened and it was $10.12 that I took, but It really is coming back to bite me in the butt!

Any insight or similar stories? Am I wasting my time and is it still possible for a hospital to hire me?

Thank you!!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Your thread has been moved to our Nursing Licensure With a Criminal History forum for responses that are more appropriate to your situation. Good luck to you!

[SarahMaria, MSN, RN]

I'm not sure about all states, but I thought juvenile criminal records were sealed by the court, and when one turns 18 they are off one's record and nobody's business. I wouldn't bring it to anyone's attention. To be sure, ask an attorney.

[Boog'sCRRN246, RN]

Florida background checks generally look for felony charges involving drugs and/or assault/battery. Those are the big ones that will keep you from getting a license.

[kimmiocean12]

Thank You for the reply! And I already called the BON and they said my charge is fine and should not be a problem at all with getting my license. What i am worried about is that getting a job will be difficult because of it. I know it doesn't look good when potential employees have a record. And I also thought juvie records were gone at 18 but at least in Florida that is not true. You need to request to have it sealed/expunged and once it is.. some agencies can still see the sealed records.