Just curious

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Specializes in Emergency Dept.

After reading many people asking for 'advice' concerning what illegal activities can disqualify them from taking boards - I'm just curious if anyone knows if the BON will give these individuals an answer BEFORE they start nursing school. It seems like it might run a lot of potential nurses off if they feel like they won't be able to sit for boards. Nursing school is a lot of time, stress and money to go through to not know if you can even be a nurse after the fact. Can they find out before they start school or would they have to wait until they apply to take boards? I know this probably varies from state to state, but has anyone been able to be 'pre-approved' before school, or know of anyone that has or has not? Just curious how the system works.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

There's no "pre-approval" that I know of. However, it's a good idea before one invests time and energy in school to find out what the rules are and these can only be answered by the board where someone lives.

It's pretty cut and dry "no a convicted felon can not get a nursing license", "yes a misdimeaner shoplifter" can get a nursing license.

Best to call or write them with a "this is my situation, can I be licensed if I go to school and graduate".

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

In IL, there is a list of disqualifying crimes in the nurse practice act.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Each and every offense is individually investigated. The BON will not normally make any decisions until the situation is one where the individual is ready for licensure or relicensure. All scenarios and combinations thereof will more than likely not be addressed until the individual is graduated and ready to be licensed or seeking to renew license. There will be general guidelines only.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Each and every offense is individually investigated. The BON will not normally make any decisions until the situation is one where the individual is ready for licensure or relicensure. All scenarios and combinations thereof will more than likely not be addressed until the individual is graduated and ready to be licensed or seeking to renew license. There will be general guidelines only.

Seems a little backwards, because as the OP says, why go through all that drama of school only to be rejected when ready for licensure. Why not be rejected prior to even attending school.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Seems a little backwards, because as the OP says, why go through all that drama of school only to be rejected when ready for licensure. Why not be rejected prior to even attending school.

Because the issue is licensure, not if an individual can attend a nursing program.

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