Moral character hearing NYS for Nursing license

[PNGrad2001]

I took my NCLEX passed and was never issued a license due to my previous record (conviction) 8 years ago. I’m scheduled for a hearing well now it’s virtual. I wanted to know if anyone been to a hearing, how is it like? Do they bring witness. I have some letters from family friends co workers. This is in NYS. Any advise suggestions will be appreciated. Yes I do have an attorney 

[PNGrad2001, ADN, LPN]

Ohh and you know what’s crazy I was under moral character for my LPn passed my RN NCLEX received my license in the mail had to return it so they can start the moral character review for the RN application. You know how I feel it was quick for them to call me to ask me to send it back but I’ve been waiting since December for an investigator to reach out to me. It sucks 

[PNGrad2001, ADN, LPN]

On 2/2/2021 at 2:46 PM, SumNurse said:

Hello, I’m in a similar situation awaiting to here from the moral board. I passed NCLEX dec 2020 and they have asked for my paperwork 3 times and still nothing. Wondering if you have any updates? 

I finally heard from the investigator requesting paperwork. How long did it take for you to get your certificate of relief from the time you put in your application. I just had my interview I submitted my application in November I just wish I knew about this earlier 

[SumNurse]

I applied in Jan and got it in Sept. other have gotten it faster when they went directly to the courts but due to covid I was unable to.

[PNGrad2001, ADN, LPN]

Ohh wow that means I’ll be waiting. I just sent the information the investigator requested so I’m waiting for an interview now. Did you hear anything yet. (NY BON) 

[SumNurse]

I had to do some calling around to get my case in my borough! I was finally contacted back in April through mail stating documents needed to provide to the investigatior. Took a few months to get everything now awaiting for him to verify my letters of recommendation and set up a interview from there. It’s been a long 10 months 

[SumNurse]

On 3/2/2021 at 6:01 PM, PNGrad2001 said:

I finally heard from the investigator requesting paperwork. How long did it take for you to get your certificate of relief from the time you put in your application. I just had my interview I submitted my application in November I just wish I knew about this earlier 

How did the interview go did you finally get your license.  

[PNGrad2001, ADN, LPN]

I haven’t heard anything since my interview with the investigator. I’m still waiting and that was since March. I’m thinking now since everything is opening up, I’m hoping they have enough people to review my case. Waiting for so long is what sucks. My attorney said it’s just a waiting game now. I go online everyday to check because my license says inactive. I wonder once I get it will it be the same number because they had me return what they mailed to me 

[SumNurse]

Oh wow so it’s not in the hands of the investigator it get passed off to another section to be reviewed. This is a lot !

[PNGrad2001, ADN, LPN]

Right! The way he explained it to me is that he gets the case he interviews you gather the information he received  then there’s a conference  which includes an acting judge with I think 3 or 4 nurses which they are from the board and 1 is for the public and you have to get the majority vote saying that you have the moral character to be license. If not,  then you receive a letter which you can always appeal so you can get a hearing where you appear before the panel and explain more that’s when you can bring a family member or anyone who can say nice things about you. Well at least that’s how in NY they do it. But sometimes after you submit your documents to the investigator if he feels that he doesn’t need anything else then he’ll send your info back to process your license. 

[Jeffrey Highstreet]

So strange they allow you to go to school and practice with a temporary license but restrict the post school one. My state (Louisiana) had all of these proceedings before even allowing nursing school. Why do that to someone who completes school, and also not screen for character before patient care in clinical? NY does things way different in many aspects it seems. I was specifically instructed not to get a lawyer as that obstructs any true moral character you may be trying to convey. Made sense as I'm not in attack mode but showing humility in a hearing of moral character. NSG board had to vote unanimously to allow me to even enter school. Seems strangely backwards but the advice I can give is to be brutally honest with your good intentions and state that you will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Went in with a suit and tie, along with an overwhelming stack of references and it went well for me. They are not forced to allow anything so I would recommend a less confrontational approach. Good Luck!

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

15 hours ago, Jeffrey Highstreet said:

I'm not in attack mode but showing humility in a hearing of moral character. NSG board had to vote unanimously to allow me to even enter school.

It would be nice if that's how it worked everywhere. Most states will not give you any direction until you've graduated nursing school, then do a case by case basis for those with any criminal record. For those that get denied, it's horrible, after taking and paying for classes. Debt with possibly nothing to show

[SumNurse]

Yeah they allow you to Go through school and clinicals event pass the boards then do moral character review. I’m praying for the best I don’t have a lawyer either. The communication between me and the investigator has been pretty good so I’m hoping I can just be honest and express my desire to move forward in life as a nurse. It’s crushing me because I want to go back to school to further my education but I can’t spend thousands on loans again for unknown outcome!