Misdemeanor??

Hi everyone...I am applying to the BRN to take my NCLEX and it is asking about misdemeanors etc....I dont know if I have one....

9 years ago when I was 21...I was cited for open container/drinking in public ( I dont remember which one it was)....

It was on 4th of July and I was on the sidewalk at a house party..considered public I guess...

Anyways...I didnt get arrested or anything...just a ticket...but I had to go to court..I plead guilty and paid a $50 fine...

Does anyone know if this counts as a misdemeanor in Ca.? Has anything like this happened to anyone else? :imbar

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Yes, unfortunately it's a misdemeanor, and you do have to let the board of nursing know about it. Just be sure to explain the circumstances....they're not going to deny you a license because of something so minor. In fact, your record should be clear now, since it's been over 7 years now since your conviction (California's pretty decent about that, or at least it used to be.....I had a misdemeanor on my record years ago, and in fact was charged with several of 'em, but they expunged all of it after the 7 years had passed.) It would be good if you check with the court of record first, but ALWAYS be honest about stuff like this......if you're caught lying, it's the worst thing that can happen to you.

[sjoe]

And if you still have questions about your citation's being a misdemeanor, call your local law enforcement agency or public defender and ask them.

[Nrs. LaLa-Land]

Thanks guys...looks like I have some phone calls to make...

[CougRN]

Let them know when you apply. It probably won't even matter. Especially since it was so long ago. But be upfront. That is the best thing you can do for yourself.

[tmiller027]

You can also go to your police department and have them run a criminal history for you. That will tell you what all is on your record and whether it was a misdemeanor.

Tim

[a_clay]

I agree, DON'T LIE!!!! My sis in law lied on her school application and when she graduated from LPN she couldn't get her license for like 2 years and then she had to go to court and jump through all kinds of hoops to get her licence. That was about 5 or 6 years ago and now she's up to no good again....was a charge nurse and got fired for taking patient's meds!!!!

[Nrs. LaLa-Land]

I just sent in my application. I just wrote them a letter letting them know about it. I told them that I wasn't sure if it was a misdemeanor but I thought they should know....Hopefully it wont be a big deal. But I took all of your advice and was honest. Thank you everyone!!

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

You go, Charger gal!!

Really, you'll be OK......it's kind of silly when something so minor comes back to bite us on the butt later in life when we've grown some smarts, but believe me, the great state of California is NOT going to deny you a nursing license.

Let us know when you get it!!