Life happens...

[sunnyside11]

:confused:I have been in health care for 20+ years, have always looked at my health care career as a passion more than just a "job". Becoming a nurse has been a passion and I took the courage to make my dream come true.

Have gone through all of the steps to be accepted and was honest on application explaining that I do have a minor misdemeanor on my record, provided all of the legal documents and yes, admitted that this was an isolated incident and is not indicative of my character and I am by no means proud of this situation and have been fingerprinted/background checked through out my whole career.

So, with this all said I was accepted into a nursing program, went and had my fingerprints/background check completed and several days later received a phone call telling me that I am on hold for continuing my nursing program and that it looks like the end of the road for me, due to the fact that my fingerprints will be mailed to the program and that in this type of case this is, that there is "something" on a background, misdemeanor, felony or whatever else can be on your record and this will keep me from doing any clinicals. Wow, nothing like feeling like the scum of the earth!

Just frustrated, I was honest, not proud, happened over 7 years ago, have checked with my State Board of Nursing and was told that misdemeanors do not hold you back from becoming a nurse and depending on the type of felony someone may have, these too can be reviewed on an individual basis. Again, I have a minor misdemeanor, I am NOT a felon, I was wrong, it was a family issue, I paid my fine and went on with my life and my life has come to a complete STOP!

I have reviewed the nursing program application over and over and I followed all of the steps regarding this manner. I know this is just a comment site and no one can give me legal advice, I'm not asking for that. I am a good person, I have been in health care for 20+ years and just needed to vent! Life happens....

[Tiger747]

Hi Sunnyside11

Cheer up! I am actually happy for you!

Imagine having been accepted into nursing school, graduating with honors, only to get denied a license by the B.O.N., or worse, granted a probationary license you cannot possibly get a job with?

What I am saying is that al least you were told in time-- that is kindness, actually.

I went through nursing school, graduated at the top of my class, passed the NCLEX 1st time out with the minimum number of questions (80, I think), and was granted a probationary license due to a minor misdemeaner I had a decade ago. Nonetheless, I thought I had the keys to the kingdom.

Boy, was I wrong. 9 months and 150+ applications later and still no job.

What is worse is the embarrassment of friends and family knowing you are an unemployed nurse-- an impossibility in my area. So you are constantly having to dig up your past in explanation of why you are not working. It stinks up your life. No one needs this.

Furthermore, what do you put on your Taco Bell application? Do you mention your nursing license and the 2 years of nursing school? Or do you act like it never happened?

So, since criminal backgrounds and nursing do not go together, it was better that they headed you off at the pass. Now at least you are free to move on.

[sunnyside11]

Tiger747-

Thank you for the kindness!

I do understand what you are saying, it is just very frustrating because my desire to be a nurse has nothing to do with money or status, trust me, being in Health Information for 20 years I see, hear and can sympathise with nurses as to how little most are truly appreciated but just having the fulfillment in you to know at the end of the day you gave your heart and a caring hand to someone in need....this is all I wanted to share, at a more hands on level.

Again, life happens... I will move on from this and know that in the "behind" scenes position I have in the health care field, I do make a difference, and this is what it is all about!

[Tiger747]

God Bless You!

Know that I posted what I did as a brother and friend. After reading how dedicated you are, my heart bleeds for you!

I was not trying to be flippant-- I really am happy they cut you off at the pass. Dear Heart, you do not want to be me! My choices are homeless shelter, truck driver, or suicide. And I have a 4 year B.A. in English from I.U. on top of the nursing license. All this because of a single misdemeanor 10 years ago. Do you really think I want to see a fellow human being go through this?

You are in my heart and prayers, just like the beautiful girls I was in nursing school with, who drop food off at my house and go up to bat for me every chance they get to help me find a job. But I want no more sympathy, and, believe me, you would not have been a happy camper had you received a "probationary" license.

They ought to give them away free in Bubble Gum packages along with Baseball Cards! Friend, I am not kidding!

One nurse told me the only advice she had was to leave the country, AMEN! Wish i could.