Marajuana Misdemeanor

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Specializes in Float pool.

Hey

I was wondering if there are any pre nursing students who may have misdemeanors on their background. If so, what do you think are the chances of it affecting your aceptance into a nursing program? For me specifically, i got caught with Marajuana twice. One of the two has been expunged. The most recent of the two was in the summer of 2011. I have landed 3 jobs as a Patient Care Tech since then, and was able to pass both the drug screen and the background check.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Check this forum.

I wouldn't be as worried about getting into nursing school as I would about legally being able to work. No point in going to nursing school if you can't work.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, timbo727:

Please do follow RunBabyRun's advice. For me, the bigger question is have you completely stopped using Marajuana? It is unclear in your post if you've stopped using, and just got better at avoiding getting caught.

Thank you.

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Specializes in Float pool.

yes, i have stopped using since then.

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Specializes in Float pool.

If i am able to get through nursing school and pass my NCLEX, i was thinking that i can land a job. Especially if i go somwhere like california or colorado where marajuana is legal. What do you think? Thanks for your opinion @RunBabyRun

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Specializes in Med/ Surg/ Telemetry, Public Health.

You need to contact your school nursing dean. At my school if you don't pass the background check you can't go to clinical, which you can't go to nursing school. The only misdemeanor my school will accept is a speeding ticket. It would be awful if you finished all your prerequisite and couldn't get into any nursing program.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
If i am able to get through nursing school and pass my NCLEX, i was thinking that i can land a job. Especially if i go somwhere like california or colorado where marajuana is legal. What do you think? Thanks for your opinion @RunBabyRun

Marijuana isn't necessarily legal, it was decriminalized. Shops that sell it are at risk every day for being closed (and it happens), at least here in CA. Jobs here DO drug test.

Also, just because something is legal somewhere doesn't mean that an employer wants their staff using the stuff. There are places that test for nicotine now, and you can be denied employment if you use it.

A misdemeanor is a misdemeanor. If you broke a law in another state that's not a law in another, that other state still sees that you broke A law, and in the health care industry, DRUG charges aren't usually viewed well, since we have access to drugs. I think you need to do some research.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

I agree. It is legal to run down the street covered in pigs blood, but that doesn't mean a company is required to hire them. Also you were obviously arrested and have a police record. Those things have consequences. We may believe a law should or shouldn't be, but it doesn't matter. What matters is what the law currently IS. All I can say is in this day and age it is hard enough to get a career, get hired, get into school. Don't give "them" ANY easy ways to disqualify you. Life is hard enough. Keep at it and good luck!

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Specializes in Nursing-Anesthesia.

I got a DUI (misdemeanor) a few months before my program started. I called the program director to let them know about it and they said it wasn't going to be an issue. Before sitting for my NCLEX and I had to write a few sentences explaining the situation and that was it. I know several others that have been in similar situations as well. I'm an awesome nurse who will be moving on to the anesthesia program shortly. It was brought up in my CRNA interview but don't believe it hindered me in any way. Don't let it hold you up............Good luck!

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Specializes in Float pool.

Preciate it. I was never arrested or have a mugshot tho.

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Specializes in Float pool.
I got a DUI (misdemeanor) a few months before my program started. I called the program director to let them know about it and they said it wasn't going to be an issue. Before sitting for my NCLEX and I had to write a few sentences explaining the situation and that was it. I know several others that have been in similar situations as well. I'm an awesome nurse who will be moving on to the anesthesia program shortly. It was brought up in my CRNA interview but don't believe it hindered me in any way. Don't let it hold you up............Good luck!

Preciate it man. I have a great rep with my hospital as being a great worker. Many units tell me they'll hire me once i finish school. I was just gonna be up front with whoever i need to and let my great work ethic speak for me, not my record. I no longer smoke or do drugs or anything. Preciate sharing the good response.

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Specializes in Float pool.
I agree. It is legal to run down the street covered in pigs blood, but that doesn't mean a company is required to hire them. Also you were obviously arrested and have a police record. Those things have consequences. We may believe a law should or shouldn't be, but it doesn't matter. What matters is what the law currently IS. All I can say is in this day and age it is hard enough to get a career, get hired, get into school. Don't give "them" ANY easy ways to disqualify you. Life is hard enough. Keep at it and good luck!

Ur right. Giving them the slightest reason to disqualify me is'nt smart AT ALL, I admit. Especially as competitive as it is getting into nuisring school. However i was never arrested or have a mugshot. I know a criminal record isn't a good look, however i believe my references, work ethic and previous experience speaks volumes about me as a person and a worker; more so than my record. I believe there is hope and i won't give up on my plans on becoming a nurse. Thanks for the input

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