Nurses with felony records

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Why are some nurses allowed to work in a nursing home after doing some jail time?.. Do we not care for our love ones..?.. I personally would not like to see or know that a convicted felon is caring for my love one.

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I wasn't aware that they are.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

Personally I would want to know what the felony was before making a judgement on someone who most likely learned a lesson from their time away from civilized society and is trying to better themselves and possibly give back to the community that was willing to give them a 2nd chance, how many nurses are out there that may have commited the exact same crime but weren't caught? That's a number we'll never know but I'm sure it's not zero.

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Specializes in just about everything.

I agree with zoomommyrn. Some people committed a crime when they were younger and padi the price, larned their lesson and they don't have that behavior any more.

I know the state boards are very strict about felony convictions. They do alot of reseach and are very picky. So if they gave her a limited or a license, I am sure they keep very close tabs on that person.

Just remember to not judge, we will be judged by God in the end.

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Wha??????? We do background checks just like any other places does.

Could you be more specific?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

It really depends on the situation. I would not take issue if the person had commited a felony in thier youth but the record had been expunged and they have had no other run ins with the law since. how many of is have been young and dumb. I believe the boards have specific guidelines as to which felonies make a person unlicenceable. Learn about the circumstances before judging

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if a person has been pardoned then it becomes a moot issue

pardoning is frequently done after a person completes parole/probation community service etc

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I am an ADON at a LTC facility. We will hire anyone with an A or B Felony but not a C.

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Specializes in CVICU, PICU, ER,TRAUMA ICU, HEMODIALYSIS.

Wow, am I ever behind on what's going on!! I thought that most state boards wouldn't even allow someone to take the NCLEX if they had more than a traffic ticket on their criminal record. Personally, with the exception of some white-collar crimes that are felonies but seem to fit into the gray area in between (like bouncing checks or criminal speeding), I don't think we need people in our profession that have a history of felonious behavior. ANY crime that involves reckless or deliberate disregard for the life or well-being of another living organism whether it be a person or animal should be an automatic reason for excluding someone from the nursing profession. We need people in nursing who are compassionate, empathetic, and reasonable. I believe it is better to err on the side of the patient this matter.:heartbeat

Celeste

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Specializes in ICU.

Regarding Dixiecup's response: It reminds me of the dungeon where I first worked as a CNA. A guy was hired and trained as a CNA after he was fired from the kitchen for walking through the facility sexually harrassing fellow employees. I never actually saw him do any work during he shifts I worked with him. Although, one day he bragged to me that he was a "villan."

No one should be allowed to hold a nursing liscense if they've been convicted of a felony. It degrades the profession and endangers patients. Seriously, folks, think about what a felony is.

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Specializes in Family Practice/Primary Care.

Sure thing Flightline.

A felon can be Martha Stewart, who was convicted for lying to the police when she said she did not participate in insider trading, even after being found not guilty of the same. Not all Felons are three time child-rapists. I say it depends on the actual felony.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I agree with those who say there are gray areas..IMO, hard to compare a pedophile or a murderer to someone who is convicted of something like bouncing checks.

The BON is usually pretty strict with these things so I'm willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt if they've done their time and been cleared by the board.

I've never had a speeding ticket, been arrested, or had a drug/alcohol issue,but I learned a while ago to try not to be judgemental. We all make mistakes and contrary to what some believe, we nurses are NOT angels, nor should we be expected to be. As long as I don't witness someone abusing/endangering a patient, I try to keep my nose out of other people's lives/pasts. I'd be willing to bet almost 100% of us have some kind of thing we're not proud of. My 2 cents.

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