Misdemeanor affect RN licensure?

ILuvBabies2005 · Jan 25, 2005

I was wondering if anyone knew if a misdemeanor charge, such as a DUI, would affect a student nurse from obtaining their RN license in the state of TN. Thanks for any help you may have!

HollyUTM · Jan 26, 2005

I'm not too sure of whether it would or not. I am a LPN, but a lady from the board of nursing spoke to our nursing class while she was at our school observing or something, and one of my fellow students asked about that same thing. They hadn't a DUI, but had something on their record. The lady told us that if they could withhold a license for certain reasons. I remember her specifically saying bad checks. She said that my classmate needed to be exonerated of those charges ( I think that's the word atleast, sorry bout the spelling, it might be wrong) My classmate never did anything about it though and yes she has a license now. So, I dunno. I would suggest maybe visiting the board of nursing website, it might tell ya something. Hope I helped!

Holly

Jess RN · Jan 26, 2005

I think it does vary from state to state. In Ma you can't have had a conviction in the past 5 yrs. But I'm not sure if ti si felonies and misdemeanors or just felonies. Your state BON would know.

-Jess

elkpark · Jan 27, 2005

Your best bet is to check with the TN Board of Nursing -- their answer is the only one that really counts, anyway ... :) The standards do vary from state to state, and I believe that most state boards look at many of the cases on a case-by-case basis.

If you asked your school of nursing about this to begin with, they may have been able to give you some guidance. Be upfront and honest with the BON, because they will check your background when you apply for licensure, and it will look worse for you if they find out you withheld info from them in the first place.

I would contact them ASAP, and find out one way or the other. At least, if you find out that they won't license you, you can start making other plans now.

Best wishes --