getting into nursing school w/ criminal past

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Specializes in Medical Surgical, Neurology.

My niece wants to be an LPN. She has a criminal past (not sure to what extent.) Is there a point where this would not affect the admissions process? I don't want her to go through all her prerequisites and not be able to get into nursing school. Thanks for any input.

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Specializes in Infectious Disease, Neuro, Research.

Hmmm. It may or may not be an issue with the school. Unless its a dozen or so unpaid parking tickets that she was picked up for, it will be an issue with the BON. Depending on the offense(s) it may simply involve her writing a mea culpa letter, detailing how she's turned her life around, to a panel interview where she'll have to give solid answers to tough questions. Depnds very much on the state & the offense.

Someone should call the Nursing Director (not a counsellor) for some advice.

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In today's world it is more likely to be a matter of her passing a background investigation to be able to enter the clinical sites. If the clinical sites will not accept her with a BI, she will most likely not be accepted at the school.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical, Neurology.

Thankyou for the replies. This is a big help.

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More importantly, will she be able to find a job if she gets past the board. Easier to get approved by the B.O.N. than to find employment with a criminal past.

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Specializes in Cardiac, ICU, ER.

I have a family member who spent time in prison for a crime in which someone lost thier life. She served her time, turned her life around and has been a nurse for over 10 years. She should contact her state BON to see what the process is before she starts school.

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I have a family member who spent time in prison for a crime in which someone lost thier life. She served her time, turned her life around and has been a nurse for over 10 years. She should contact her state BON to see what the process is before she starts school.

True-- seen it myself; but, America and the job market were a different place 10 years ago. You can see from the threads on here that trying to find a job with any kind of criminal past is an unadulterated nightmare. Nowadays, a little-bitty misdemeanor a decade-and-a-half old will stop you cold.

The B.O.N. is the least of anyone's worries. Getting a license and having a criminal past just means you have purchased some really expensive toilet paper.

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