Getting into Nursing school with a misdemeanor

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Hi everyone,

I have a few questions (obviously right? lol) I wanted to know if it's hard to get into a nursing program in socal with a misdemeanor? I got one 14 years ago and while I let it stop me after high school from getting into the nursing program 14 years and a baby later, I think I'm ready to give this a shot. I was still in high school when this occurred I had just turned 18 actually so it affected me even though I wasn't the one who committed the crime. I was charged for petty theft after my friend (and I use that term loosely) decided to shoplift at the mall:no: I did my community service hours at a hospital and of course got rid of that "friend' and since graduating high school, I have been working in a hospital environment always wanting to be a nurse like my grandma. So now my questions are do I even stand a chance into getting in? Does anyone know how far the background checks are for school? and will I even stand a chance to be able to take my NCLEX? or should I just give up for good?

Thanks in advance everyone all help is welcomed!

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I recommend that you get that expunged before you apply to nursing school. It would make it easier for you to join clinicals instead of having to state your case every time. And check out the NS rules because there was one nursing school in a neighboring state of mind that said you cannot have a criminal record at all to join their prestigious school. So you definitely don't want a school like that.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Like the other poster stated possibly getting it expunged may help. If it doesn't then simply say "I have a misdemeanor on my record. I want to be a nurse. Is there a pathway to achieve this". Leave out the "it was someone else's fault" part.

More than likely you will be able to be a nurse. Contact the school you want to apply and also your state board of nursing and get true facts and then work off of those. Good luck.

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Thank you both for the recommendations! I contacted RCC (Riverside Community) and they advised me that after 7 years it wouldn't show up on their background check I'm so glad since I still have to start my pre-reqs so the way I'm looking at this, its going to be like 20yrs old by the time I'm able to even apply for nursing school :roflmao: I hope not but that's where I stand now lol. I'm just so happy that I'm being given another chance to get my dream job after finishing school of course

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.
Thank you both for the recommendations! I contacted RCC (Riverside Community) and they advised me that after 7 years it wouldn't show up on their background check I'm so glad since I still have to start my pre-reqs so the way I'm looking at this, its going to be like 20yrs old by the time I'm able to even apply for nursing school :roflmao: I hope not but that's where I stand now lol. I'm just so happy that I'm being given another chance to get my dream job after finishing school of course

Contact your BON. The school background check may not "see" it but the BON one sure will. The federal background check the board uses sees every little thing you've ever done wrong that's been out in the system. Sometimes the checks miss some stuff, but usually the checks find everything.

Inwould be more concerned with getting licensed after the stress of completing a nursing program.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
Contact your BON. The school background check may not "see" it but the BON one sure will. The federal background check the board uses sees every little thing you've ever done wrong that's been out in the system. Sometimes the checks miss some stuff, but usually the checks find everything.

Inwould be more concerned with getting licensed after the stress of completing a nursing program.

This. Contact the BON. You will likely be "okay" but you will have to disclose it to the board - expunged or not, the board can request expunged and sealed records to be released if they want. The board will likely ask you to write a statement about what happened leading up to the action (why you did it), what your charges were, what your "punishment" was, and what you have learned from the situation.

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Thank you guys for your feedback I went to the BON website before contacting them and it was informative but at the same time vague I want to assume that the information I was reading about convictions was for RN's with their license already since it said that you do not need to report anything with a fine under $1000 either way, I did send them an email asking them about my circumstance. While I know "each case is different" I just wanted to see what they would have to say as far as yes state it or pffft! by the time you finish school it's going to be 20yrs later (gosh it sounds like a long time ago) don't need to say anything. I work in a hospital and have a handful of nurses and charges that are more than happy to give me letters of recommendation, etc with a blink of an eye but I just want to make sure that I prepare as of right now for the hoops I'm sure I'm going to have to jump through to make this happen. I appreciate all the help on here though gives me a lil glimpse of hope:)

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This. Contact the BON. You will likely be "okay" but you will have to disclose it to the board - expunged or not, the board can request expunged and sealed records to be released if they want. The board will likely ask you to write a statement about what happened leading up to the action (why you did it), what your charges were, what your "punishment" was, and what you have learned from the situation.

It depends on the state. In some of the states you don't have to disclose those type of things if it is expunged. So yeah, OP definitely check with yours.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I would try to get it expunged even if the school doesn't care and if the BON doesn't care, you will need to have to have a background check for pretty much any job you get as a nurse. Why risk it affecting your future if you can make it disappear all together? Don't wait until it is blocking you, take care of it before.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Getting into nursing school is the least of your issues. It would be sad to graduate, only to encounter difficulties with your state's board of nursing due to your misdemeanor record. No nursing license equals no nursing job.

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Wait I have a couple speeding tickets I never thought they would be issues.

I get there are levels to misdemeanors, but I didn't think minor crimes like speeding tickets, or parking tickets were an issue if paid.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
Wait I have a couple speeding tickets I never thought they would be issues.

I get there are levels to misdemeanors, but I didn't think minor crimes like speeding tickets, or parking tickets were an issue if paid.

They aren't unless their is an unreasonable amount of unpaid tickets which shows lack of responsibility and arrogance to the board.

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