Juvenile Arrest Record on Background for Nursing

[SA38691]

Recently, I applied to get my CNA license and a juvenile arrest popped up on my background check back from 2006. I was told that my record was going to be sealed after I completed teen court, and my parents thought nothing of it until now. Here is what happened: I shoplifted at the age of 15 and was arrested. I was peer pressured and hanging out with the wrong kind of people. I was not charged with anything and had to complete a teen court program. I am almost 20 now and have no other arrests or charges on my record. I am a straight A college student and wish to become an RN. I have high hopes that the FBON will accept my application and give me my CNA license, but I am worried about them not accepting me to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam when I am ready.

Surely, if they accepted me now, they will later too? I still have to complete prereqs to get into the nursing program and then complete the actual nursing program. So, I am looking at 3 years from now probably. That will be even longer since all that happened! I just hate the fact that something I did as an immature juvenile may ruin my future. Has anyone else been in this situation and had a happy ending? I am also scared about when I apply for a job. I am being told by some to expunge my record and others not to. The FBON already knows about, so it is too late to do that, besides, to my knowledge they always have access to those types of records even if they are expunged. (I forgot to mention that I live in the state of Florida if that makes a difference.)

I am just so stressed out, and I don't know what to do. I am a good person and know I will make a good nurse. I have already completed a CNA program, but I am now on hold for taking my test and getting my license because of all this. Please if anyone can give me some feedback......I would really appreciate it.

Thanks so much.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moving to nursing with a criminal past forum.

[SA38691]

Thanks. I wasn't sure where to post it. I am new to the site.

[grownuprosie]

I am in a similar boat right now. I have a marijuana possession charge from FL in 2004 (i was 14.) and completed the appropriate tasks to have it removed from my record, but i am still terrified of it popping up on my background check for the BON. i work in the medical field now and it did not come up through my employers background check or the one for my application for nursing school. I know it might pop up for clinicals though so we shall see. I am submitting the paperwork to be licensed as a CNA. If it comes up through there, then i know i need to do some work.

The good news: The nursing director at the school that i applied to said that it is still possible to make it through and take the NCLEX if i am proactive about it. It will take some money and a lawyer to have it sorted out with the BON. Since it will have been almost 10 years from then by the time i graduate, it should not be a problem proving that i have changed my tune since then.

Good luck to you! I am really sorry i cannot give you a concrete answer, but i hope this encourages you a little bit. there is hope for us. :)

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

I personally would contact a lawyer that deals with juvenile cases. I always that that the records were sealed as well, it might be as simple as a clerical error from when this happened or maybe there is something more. If you are planning on investing the time and money into becoming a nurse I would make darn sure that this couldn't come back to bite you because if it is poping up on a background check now that it most likely will in the future. I wouldn't chance it and I think a lawyer is your best bet.