Hi.I'm a 31 year old male intrested in pursuing a nursing career but I have a couple prior misdemeanors on my record and wanted to know if I'm wasting my time by going to school and pursuing a job in the medical feild?
My priors are poss of marajuana and a open container.I have been very stupid in the descions that I have made but there is nothing I can do about it now.I have been in the constuction industry in the past and I'm looking for a big change.I tried to pusue being a Firefighter about a year ago but I did not go through with it because I was told even though I might get in with a priors,there are hundreds of guys on a waiting list that have scored very high on there tests and do not have any priors.So I decided that my past probably would not allow me to get that job under the present cicumstances.I want to help people now.I know there are going to be alot of nasty and crazy tings that I will see,but it makes me feel good to think that I might be able to help the people that need it.
So I was thinking about getting a CNA certificate and becoming a CNA.And after working for a year or two as a CNA I wanted to go to shool for an LPN and work my way up the ladder.So my question is am I wasting my time even thinking about it?I would defenitly want to end up as atleast an LPN later on,so be honest and tell me what you think my chances are?
If you put your mind to something,don't ever give up because of what other people have told you.It will definitely hold you back in life.Don't just assume, make sure that you have exhausted every resource possible.There are a lot of negative people out there,people whose first answer to everything is "no" just like a child. There are people out there who look beyond your mistakes and see the potential in you. Now, from what I've learned, felonies prohibit you from entering the medical field. I have a friend actually who has 2 misdemeanor's(check fraud,and stealing) on her record and became a Cna, just got done with LPN school and is now pursuing her associate's in nursing(i'm so proud of her).Just because you've made stupid decisions in the past doesn't make you a bad person.You are just like anyone else on here and only the grace of gods shields us from the things of this world. If nursing is what you want to do, go for it head on. Don't abdicate your dreams just because certain people say you can't.God Bless!
Gotta interject here. Don't know about other states but here in Florida, they allowed me to sit for boards despite the fact that I had a felonious assault on my record (NY state). The assault was in 1991 and related to a domestic violence incident where I (finally) retaliated against my abuser. I had to show the Board all my paperwork like Orders of Protection, police reports, medical reports...so much stuff. But, in the end...they did allow me to become a nurse in 2007.
Being honest with the Board really paid off. They were great.
Don't let your past stop you from doing anything you dream about! Ever!
Thanks for all the replies,there greatly appreciated.So I contacted the Fl DoN and they basically said that they cannot tell me before hand wheter or not my past will affect me.I basically have to take a course and when it goes to the DoN it will then be reviewed.Well this exactly what I didn't want to hear but what can you do?
We must have posted at the same time!
Didn't know you were in Florida! Go read my post and feel a WHOLE lot better for it! This is a GOOD thing!
Specializes in I'm in on a floating NA team so I'm all.
Based on the state you could try to get it expunged from your record. I know in Michigan they only allow 1 misdemeanor to be set aside as long as you don't have another other convicts of the same offense. Take a look to see what your state's policy is. Most of the time you don't need a lawyer for an expungement because it's just filling out a bunch of paperwork and sending it here then going there then... you get the picture right? For Michigan the paperwork and process was super tedious but worth it to have a clean record!http://criminal.findlaw.com/crimes/expungement/expungement-state-info.html
Also, like others have said check with your school and state board to find out as well! Someone else mentioned that full disclosures are better then finding out after the fact SO true!!! If you don't disclose it in your application they can't fire you/not hire you because you lied on your application.
Good luck with everything! It really sounds like you've got your heart in the right place!!!!
I really wish that minor misdemeanors would be wiped from our records after a certain number of years. My cousin got caught with pot when he was 20. He's now 26, has completed all the requirements and has learned his lesson. Unfortunately, he is now having problems finding a job (he wants to be a teacher).
Specializes in Psych, LTC, M/S, Supervisor, MRDD,.
I think you'll have to go through the hoops of getting paperwork that shows you've done some kind of rehab program. If the do SATOP or WIP in your area for DWI incidents that usually will suffice. Something that shows u got some help is what they usually require if its been in the last 2 years. If its 5-10 years old usually its not as difficult.
Don't be discouraged.If nursing is your dream,go for it and do whatever you have to do.Yes, it may be hard,may take some work but I believe in you. Just the fact that you took the initiative to find out what you can do, just lets me know you'll be fine. In the end it will all be worth it!I will be praying.Everyone makes mistakes.I did hear a judge say that misdemeanors can be expunged,takes some work, but you can do it, it's up to you!A lot of time fear holds us back from doing what we need to. If you have to go through a lawyer, then do so.If you want anything in life you gotta push,it's always hard in the beginning.
Cherybaby
385 Posts
Gotta interject here. Don't know about other states but here in Florida, they allowed me to sit for boards despite the fact that I had a felonious assault on my record (NY state). The assault was in 1991 and related to a domestic violence incident where I (finally) retaliated against my abuser. I had to show the Board all my paperwork like Orders of Protection, police reports, medical reports...so much stuff. But, in the end...they did allow me to become a nurse in 2007.
Being honest with the Board really paid off. They were great.
Don't let your past stop you from doing anything you dream about! Ever!