Misdemeanors

[amens7988]

I'm slightly worried about licensure but more worried about finding a job in a hospital as a nurse afterwards and continuing education (NP) in the future. I have 3 misdemeanors (2 receiving stolen property and 1 underage drinking.) At one time I was also cited for misdemeanor theft but for some reason that charge never comes up though I plan on calling to find out why. All of these things happened prior to 2007 and before I was 18. I had a rough start in life. My theft related misdemeanors were clothing retail as I was a poor kid attempting to fit in at a HS in a high tax community. Not to mention never wanting to be in the house where violence and addiction were present. Parents didn't care that I was never home and I had lots of time to run around and do the wrong thing. Aside from those misdeamors...I was cited for curfew violations and traffic violations. I joined the military shortly after highschool (though the army almost did not take me) and it was there that I learned how to be a decent human being. The army values are still something I incorporate into my life every single day. I've not been in any sort of trouble since before I left. The army gave me the best people I have ever met in my life including my husband to whom I have been married to for 6 six years and we have two children. I have forgiven myself and my parents for our past. But it still hurts when it comes up. I was just a kid and one with no guidance at that. The Dean of my school ripped me a new one when she learned of my background as if I had just committed these crimes last week. I cried for the rest of the day and almost quit nursing school. I've become the person I always could have been and doing the right thing means a lot to me. I practice integrity every single day and I do wrong by no one and I truly believe that I would make a wonderful asset to any team. Is this going to be an issue pressing forward? Expunging is not an option in my state, I've tried. Thanks for reading. Even if I don't receive answers, it is nice to type this down and get it off my chest.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Nursing is not the holy grail. If you can't do that you can succeed in a million other ways.

[amens7988]

True but I do want to be here. Not to mention I just spent 5 years and lots of money on a BSN... í ½í¸§

[db2xs]

I believe it's on a case-by-case basis. You were young--people do dumb things (even when we're not young!). It's not like you did them last month, anyway. If it becomes an issue, you can provide the evidence to show how you've been living your past 10 years doing helpful things and how you've been contributing to society and not living in a manner indicative of your past behavior.

[Phil-on-a-bike]

Hi Amen,

The salient point is this: when you first applied for your course, did you declare your record? Or, in fact, did they ask you to?

If you openly declared your record and were accepted on to the course, you're bulletproof.

You underwent your establishment's screening procedure, you were found acceptable, and offerred a place.

If they did not ask for a declaration of prior misdemeanors - that's on them. No fault on your part.

In short - they have no grounds to oppose the continuation of your training.

And in future? I would be very surprised if such a minor record proves a significant obstacle to your career.

As for your Dean, it is my sincere hope that her next bowel movement turns out to be a hedgehog. Not a small one.