I want to become a nurse but I have a criminal background

[okiedokiethen1]

Hi!

I want to become a nurse, but I have a 1 misdemeanor charge for harrassing phone calls. This was done by my ex. We share a child together, and I have full custody of our son. My ex went and got a protective order against me, (no police were ever called, no prior viloence) I called his mom with the 1st 24 hrs not knowing what was going on, and went to communicate about our 2 yr old son, not realizing I was breaking the protective order, and that same night I was arrested for breaking the protective order. I went to fight the charge but I plea bargin out, so I would not risk serving jail time and losing my son (it was 50/50 I would be found guilty and his private attorney was there and plan to ask the judge I serve the max time in jail which was 30 days). The phone call was non-threatening and it was stated in court that it was.

I still have full custody of our son, this was done 2 yrs ago, and I kept my job, along with my DE state auto insurance licenese. With me now having a harrassing phone call charge what are my chances of being able to get my RN license?

Thank you

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

hello and welcome to allnurses.com.

this is something the membership cannot answer. only your bon can answer this question.

questions we seem to be encountering more and more often have to do with the effects of a criminal history on nursing licensure:

• is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a criminal history and if so, can i get a job?
  
• is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a mip, dui, or other related charges?
  
• what happens if you are charged or convicted of a crime after licensure?
  
• can i go to nursing school and/or be licensed/be employed if my record has been sealed or expunged?
  
• what if i have a “deferred adjudication” or a “withhold of adjudication”? will i have to declare this as a conviction?
  
• will i be able to go to nursing school and/or attend clinicals with a criminal record?
  
• what can happen if i receive a mip/dui/dwi or other charge while still in school?
  

since you are interested in becoming a nurse you need to contact your bon and/or your school of nursing directly. you need to be completely candid with them as to the nature and disposition of the crime. each board of nursing makes a determination on a case by case basis and some are willing to issue a declarative statement in advance.

good luck.