Looks like my nursing plans might be coming to an end..

[ImDaMan11]

Well i have been a pre nursing student for about 2 years now. I have had big plans of graduating nursing school and going on to my career as well as furthering my career.

To be honest though, my past is a little shady. I have theft charge from 2006 for getting caught doing a dine n dash...i was caught with an unregistered unloaded firearm in 2008, and also I falsely represented myself to an officer in 2008. I also have numerous traffic offenses including driving on suspended license twice. Also I have 3-4 possession of cannabis tickets (1-10 grams). The school I am applying to asked me to fill out a background check form and I did. I have a feeling that they might not accept me though. I have since reformed myself and got on a straight path.

I am aware that even if i get accepted to a school, I will probably face issues with getting licensed as well as getting hired.

Any thoughts on my situation would be greatly appreciated. Be as brutally honest as you can, I don't mind.

[funfunfun550, BSN, RN]

I do not know what you mean by "reformed" ..but if you continue to use drugs just know that even if you evade preemployment screening/by staying off drugs long enough to pass the test... You can be tested randomly ,,,and you might not know when someone is going to accidentally run over your foot at work with a stretcher and injure it. They then have the right to drug test you(anyone injured on the job) because companies want to reduce liability from having impaired workers(i.e if you were not on drugs perhaps you would have been more observant and not have your foot run over etc).This is just an example...My gut feeling is that you have been dodging the inevitable for some time. I am pretty sure you would have a tough time getting a license. Best thing to do is to invest some time and money now to see how the Board of Nursing feels about you.. People do mature...and I am glad you have changed. Sometimes people with life experiences make the most compassionate nurses...

[guest2512]

Do you have to do a declaratory order? Make sure if you do because even if you get accepted to school, your state might deny or restrict your license. If they deny, then nursing school might be a waste of time... :/

[Stephalump]

What state are you in? In some states you can actually start the whole "declaratory order" process done before you even apply for nursing school so there isn't a bunch of time wasted in school if the BON won't even license you.

[ImDaMan11]

I do not know what you mean by "reformed" ..but if you continue to use drugs just know that even if you evade preemployment screening/by staying off drugs long enough to pass the test... You can be tested randomly ,,,and you might not know when someone is going to accidentally run over your foot at work with a stretcher and injure it. They then have the right to drug test you(anyone injured on the job) because companies want to reduce liability from having impaired workers(i.e if you were not on drugs perhaps you would have been more observant and not have your foot run over etc).This is just an example...My gut feeling is that you have been dodging the inevitable for some time. I am pretty sure you would have a tough time getting a license. Best thing to do is to invest some time and money now to see how the Board of Nursing feels about you.. People do mature...and I am glad you have changed. Sometimes people with life experiences make the most compassionate nurses...

thank you for your input. I do not use any drugs or marijuana anymore at all. What i mean by reformed is that I stay clear from trouble and illegal substances and am just focused on getting my education and being a positive role model in the world.

[ImDaMan11]

What state are you in? In some states you can actually start the whole "declaratory order" process done before you even apply for nursing school so there isn't a bunch of time wasted in school if the BON won't even license you.

I live in Illinois! Do you know if that is available in Illinois by any chance?

[queserasera, RN]

I have a few silly charges from when I was 18. I stole cheese once and was wrongly accused for breaking into a place I used to work. I curious to see how it affects me in my future, as I haven't stepped a toe out of line in 6 years!

[ADN2B]

Gruyere? It's expensive.

[x_factor]

Just be prepared that it will come up on the background check. And the battle will not only be acceptance into a nursing program, but then acceptance into a clinical site. Many people do go on to graduate with a record, but may find an issue getting clearance to sit for the NCLEX or approval from the state BON to be licensed. Even records that have been expunged will still show up on the background that state boards will run before granting you a license (some people think expunged means state boards will never see it - they will).

I would speak with the school, and also speak with your state's BON, and see what they have to say. Each state is different in how they handle students with a record. Also, each clinical site is different as well. In the program I was in previously, one of the people in my class was denied clearance to enter into clinicals because of a theft charge on her record from nearly 10 years before. The clinical site denied her, and she was forced to leave the program. But a friend of mine, attending a different school, was allowed into her program and into clinical sites with a disturbing the peace charge from about 6 years ago. She hasn't graduated yet, she's set to graduate this year, and I'm not sure if it'll affect her sitting for NCLEX or not.

You may want to check out the nursing with a criminal history forum here on AN: Nursing Licensure With A Criminal History

I commend you for changing your life around and looking to do something positive. I hope they allow you into the program so that you can pursue your future. Good luck!