2 misdemeanor convictions both 7 yrs old, will Ca BON even consider me for testing?

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I happened to find this site by luck so decided to ask for opinions. I'm in California for starters. January 2010 I was convicted with a misdemeanor elder abuse and 2 months later in March a misdemeanor a charge of violating a restraining order. The elder abuse stems from my grandmother waking me up by slugging me and I grabbed her wrists to make her stop hitting me. She then wiggled her wrists so much that her fragile skin ended up having bruises. (Our family didn't know then but she was in the beginning stages of dementia) I am currently in the process of having them expunged. I am also into my 3rd semester of completing all my pre reqs for the nursing program. I've been trying to figure out if finishing the rest of my pre reqs are even worth it. The background check for the nursing program for only goes as far back as 7 years, so by the time I get into the program I'll be able to do clinicals. My worry is if the Ca BON will even consider me for licensure with an elder abuse on my record. From 2 months after my conviction until the day my grandmother passed away (2 yrs later) I was the only one by her side taking care of her and making sure her end of life was as good as it could be. I have taken care of people since I was 5 years old and I am now 33. This is the only thing I've ever wanted to do in my life. I know if a licensure is possible there will be many, many hoops I will have to jump through. But in the end is it possible??? Any opinions/suggestions either good or bad are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

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This issue is going to be very hard to overcome. Of all the issues a potential nurse can have, a charge of abuse (elder, child, or otherwise), is very high on the list of things that will stop you from being able to get into a nursing program and/or getting licensed.

I'm certainly no lawyer, nor do I work for the BON in your state (or any state for that matter), but my assumption is that unless you are able to get that removed from your record, you're going to be in for a hard road, and it probably won't be possible.

Your best course of action would be to call the BON, as well as the nursing program you plan to apply to, to see if the elder abuse charge will stop you. No sense in spending more time and money trying to go on a path you won't be able to due to your history.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

A conviction (expunged or not) of abuse of a vulnerable elder is going to disqualify you from nursing school I'm afraid. No clinical site is going to accept you.

Of course, we only have your side of the story. The conviction seems to indicate that there is a LOT more to it than what you've shared.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

There is no way you will ever get employment in the healthcare field with those convictions.

It's like a sex offender, the circumstances don't matter if you were an 18 year old with a younger girlfriend and a very angry parent...you will still be a sex offender if prosecuted. You may find an unethical school to take your money but you will never find employment. Do you live in a state where the charges can be expunged?

I don't know if they would show or not so goodluck to you. With any type of abuse on your record you are not eligible for employment in the healthcare field period. I think you knew this before you wrote the post.

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I am currently going through the same situation because I am a LVN in CA who has received two misdemeanors of assault: 1. With deadly weapon 2. Possible GBI . I was able to keep my license but lost my nursing assistant certification due to boards decision because I didn't show that I was rehabilitated. I have completed anger management classes. Currently I will be off probation in November 2019. I have been blessed to have work through a home health agency for the last 6 months with no problems of abuse. When I contacted the RN board online because I want to go to West Coast University and do the 30 unit LVN to RN program and like you want to know would I be eligible after 7 years to get into the RN program and take NCLEX. The RN board told me that they couldn't give a defiant answer via email because the decision is based on multiple criteria like the type case, misdemeanor or felony, the time that has passed since conviction, rehabilitation, and volunteer work.

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If you can get those two charges dropped (expunged) then you wont have a problem with going to clinicals. You will have a problem with reporting it to the boards. They are even more strict when it comes to things such as drug charges, elderly abuse, battery, sex offenders, etc. good luck.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Hi there, my question is regarding the letters of recommendation for the FL board of nursing for my ARNP license. I have a similar situation in my past where the charges are dismissed with proof from the courts online docket. One was a misdemeanor and then a felony that was dropped to a misdemeanor and then also dismissed. The arresting cop ended up being fired for proof of abuse of his authority but that is more of a news story rather than something the court mentioned.

The Florida Board of Nursing requires 3 "Professional" letters of recommendation. I dont feel comfortable asking

the hospital where I work, but do have a good friends in other non-nursing/non-healthcare jobs and other nurses Ive worked with in the past I

could ask. Would it be appropriate to to use those people? Also, do they call/contact the people who wrote the

letters?

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