Petty Theft Arrest in 2005 --Should I do Nursing?

[anxiousgirl739]

Hello. I made a horrible mistake a couple of years ago. I was going through hell in my personal life. I was a zombie basically and made this horrible mistake. I walked out of the store without paying for some clothing Was arrested for petty theft but it was reduced to misdemeanor trespassing. I paid a $600.00 fine, was given two years of probation (which i finished successfully) and then had the trespassing misdemeanor expunged in 2008. I was arrested in August of 2005 and after my arrest i went to grad school and got a masters! I work in public health now and have not done any bad thing at all after this horrible stupid mistake.

My question is - before i start taking all the pre-reqs for a RN program, did anyone who had a similar "problem" get licensed as registered nurse in CA? Does anyone know how the california board of registered nurses look at this? I have tried calling and contacting them but to no avail. I made a terrible mistake:( I don't know what to tell them--can anyone give me some advice please? I regret what i did immensely. i sought help for my all the problems via therapy and am doing much better however, i want to be a nurse so am mortified that i will never be able to because of my stupidity.

Please advice if I should even bother to try to become a nurse because of this. Thank you.

[FLmomof5]

First of all, when the mods get to this thread they will tell you that we cannot offer legal advice per the TOS and we cannot speak for your BON.

I live in FL so I cannot speak about CA.....but...

That being said, in FL applicants with a criminal history will be viewed on a case by case basis. The FL BON will NOT tell you prior to NS that they will approve you with that history and that when you apply to sit for the NCLEX, they will let you know then. On the positive side, the case by case evaluation looks at what you were convicted of and whether or not you can show a permanent change of behavior.

Yours is a misdemeanor. I would say that if it were me, I would take the chance and go to NS.

Good luck!

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

flmom is correct, we cannot provide the advice you seek.

questions we seem to be encountering more and more often have to do with the effects of a criminal history on nursing licensure:

• is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a criminal history and if so, can i get a job?
  
• is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a mip, dui, or other related charges?
  
• what happens if you are charged or convicted of a crime after licensure?
  
• can i go to nursing school and/or be licensed/be employed if my record has been sealed or expunged?
  
• will i be able to go to nursing school and/or attend clinicals with a criminal record?
  
• what can happen if i receive a mip/dui/dwi or other charge while still in school?
  

these are questions that the members of allnurses.com cannot answer. the only reliable source of information is your state board of nursing.

if you are a nursing student or are interested in becoming a nurse you need to contact your bon and/or your school of nursing directly. you need to be completely candid with them as to the nature and disposition of the crimes. each board of nursing makes a determination on a case by case basis and some are willing to issue a declarative statement in advance.

good luck.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

your statements show you can provide proof of rehabilitation:

ca: prior convictions and disciplinary actions questions