graduated nursing school with an ADN. Then got charged with shoplifting. is my life over?

[misspleasehelpme]

I graduated an ADN program in Maryland and moved to MN to be with my significant other. We are in a long distance relationship for a while. While he was at work I went to Walmart and opened a box and put a food processor worth 20 dollars inside my purse. Then I went and bought some stamps and groceries. When I was outside the door, the guy stopped me and introduced himself as a loss prevention. He asked for my ID. I was so scared and numb I told him I didn't have any (but I did it was inside my purse) and gave him a false name. He then told me to take everything outside my purse and said I have to follow policy and call the police. I waited over 30 minutes for the police to come. When they came, they had a computer with them to search my name. Nothing came up and they gave me another chance to give them my real name. I finally broke down and gave them my real name. I still didn't show them my driver license because my mind was literally scrambled. They found me in the system and decided to take me down to a station to book and fingerprint me. When they did the search at the station and found my driver license, the cops said your life woulda been easier if you showed them that. My license is still from Maryland. The booking and fingerprinting took over 3 hours. I got a citation and a court date in April. This happened to me 2 weeks ago and non-stop, I have been dwelling and depress over this matter. I spoke to two lawyers where they said the same thing. Get me on probation for a year then the charges will be dismissed and then expungment after which takes 5 months to process. No one is going to hire a nurse who has a theft charge on their record. I am scheduled to take the NCLEX in MARCH 6th and I havent' been studying for it due to fact of I cannot stop crying about this. The lawyers had told me during the free consulation that I do not have to report it to the BON because my record was clean when I applied it happened after I applied. This is my first offense. What is killing me is I read Walmart doesnt prosecute or call the police if the item stolen was under 25$. They will send me civil demand and forget about me. If I did not freak out and lie about not having an ID, I wouldn't be in this much trouble. I am truly sorry for everything I did and never going to shoplift ever. The city I am charged in does not have a diversion program, but the cities around does. I cry to my boyfriend everyday about it and I can tell its bringing him down. please I am trying to start a family with him and with this happening. even i did get this expunged, hospitals and clinics do live scan, so i cant really hide it. My career as a nurse ended before it could even began. I think about killing or cutting myself everyday, but the idea of hurting my family and boyfriend even more is stopping me. I need some hope; please share any stories that relates to nursing/theft charges/conviction.

[Smacpherson]

"Why make the assumption that God wants her to be a nurse. For all you know, this may be his way of changing his plan for her life. Why do people always assume that their plan is the one God has for her life?"

First of all, she made the decision to do what she did, God didn't twist her arm and force her to do it because nursing isn't his will for her. Therefore how could this be any part of his plan for her life?

Secondly, God can redeem any situation in our lives, bringing beauty from ashes.

[Mavrick, BSN, RN]

Is your charge a misdemeanor or a violation??? Hopefully its a criminal violation , reason being , a criminal violation is not the same because you don't end up with a criminal record. By the way, if you have never been arrested before and its your first offense you qualify for a A.C.O.D. Adjournment contemplation of dismissal. Everyone is entitled to at least one A.C.O.D. in their lifetime for minor offenses like yours. I'm sharing this with you to cheer you up!!!! It sucks that you did that but it happened for a good reason. Its something you can and will overcome, just keep your head on, life is much more valuable than a $20.00 Walmart coffee machine, you are more important than court or legal trouble, accept what you did and toughen up. Get online and research what I shared about the A.C.O.D. and know exactly what you are charged with and see what level it is, Violation or misdemeanor. A attorney will likely prey on you fear and ignorance in order to extract as much money from you as possible while coming across as your savior, so become educated, use a local law library, use the web and learn the topic yourself . I repeat attorneys capitalize on people in your situation, period, case closed, so strengthen yourself with facts......................

That said regarding your situation, in case its a misdemeanor, it will easily be plea bargained down to a violation and you will NOT have a criminal record. Its your first ( and last) offense, don't sweat so hard.

The BON is concerned with issuing a license to persons who have responsibilities to the public. Your criminal record may be considered but it is still their decision to issue that precious license or not. If you have any disciplinary action it WILL be on your record for life.

[inthecosmos, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

What is beyond me is why you stole something so small and petty when you're so close to building a great future for yourself.

[megster871]

Was wondering what your outcome was. I also wanted to make a suggestion piggybacking off what someone else said. If you do get licensed but the charge still comes up and makes it more difficult to obtain employment you may want to consider finding a job at a detox or rehab. I could see places involving getting people cleaned up and helping them get a second chance would be more open to hiring you

[The Curious Murse, BSN]

Thank you for this link!