Nursing school background checks in CA

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Hello,

Can any nursing students in CA let me know if they were required to submit a fingerprint card as part of their background check upon entering nursing school? I ask because I'm in kind of a complicated situation. I have a felony on my record which occured when I was a minor. Since this was a juvenile crime the record will not show up under any background check except a DOJ or NICS check, both of which require finger prints to be submitted. There are only a few organizations (most state agencies and law enforcment) that are allowed to access these systems, and only the ones that have access are the ones that I must report my conviction to (like the BON) This is important because if I were convicted as an adult and had an open record, nursing schools could pull up my record and report it to the hospital which would basically make it impossible for me to do rotations. My lawyer advised me that schools don't have access to the "fingerprint" systems but time is coming up and I am getting more nervous each day so I thought I'd ask you guys just to make sure.

Any comments are greatly appeciated!

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I didn't have to submit fingerprints for school BUT, they do run a criminal background check ... and we DID have to submit fingerprints to do our psych rotation, because it was at a state facility for the criminally insane.

And, you're going to have to submit fingerprints when you apply for your license with the board when you graduate.

I would contact the BRN and the school, disclose the whole situation up front and ask them what you should do. I'm no expert but, from what I understand, it's better to disclose everything upfront than have them find out after the fact.

Whatever you do, don't conceal it because, from what I've heard, if you don't report it and they find out after the fact ... that's what really can cause you problems.

:typing

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I would contact the BRN and the school, disclose the whole situation up front and ask them what you should do. I'm no expert but, from what I understand, it's better to disclose everything upfront than have them find out after the fact.

Whatever you do, don't conceal it because, from what I've heard, if you don't report it and they find out after the fact ... that's what really can cause you problems.

:typing

I understand where you're coming from but the law doesn't work that way. That's why my conviction only shows up to certain specific agencies . It is sort of a protection for juvenile offenders, because the courts know that employers or even schools would discriminate heavily on felons but licensing agencies have measures in place to consider if they are fit to be licensed or not.

I appreciate the info though, I will definitely need to see about what state facilities our programs may use.

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i'm in california and we didn't do a fingerprint for the background check. what you really should do is contact the BON now to make sure there won;t be an issue getting a license. i would talk to the school also, they might have helpful information.

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Nervous,

Our background checks for school didn't include fingerprints but applying for RN or LVN license you have to submit fingerprints. You are probably going to have some 'splaining to do at some point. Good luck.

Keri

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

All states will require fingerprints and/or thorough background check prior to letting you even sit for Boards. If that was not enough, most facilities are going to do extensive checks, including credit checks and occasionally fingerprints.

This is why your school is doing this. It would be remiss of them to let you go to all the trouble of Nursing school, graduate and be unable to be licensed.

Various organizations use different checking methods. Your best bet is to be upfront with the BON as it is the only way that you can truly find out.

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Specializes in Psychiatry/Substance Abuse.
All states will require fingerprints and/or thorough background check prior to letting you even sit for Boards. If that was not enough, most facilities are going to do extensive checks, including credit checks and occasionally fingerprints.

This is why your school is doing this. It would be remiss of them to let you go to all the trouble of Nursing school, graduate and be unable to be licensed.

Various organizations use different checking methods. Your best bet is to be upfront with the BON as it is the only way that you can truly find out.

I can see your concern, but if you think it through, it should be clear that it is better to be up front in the beginning. It would be ashame to spend all the time in school, only to have this incident come back to haunt you in the future. Hope all goes well.

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I understand where you're coming from but the law doesn't work that way. That's why my conviction only shows up to certain specific agencies. It is sort of a protection for juvenile offenders, because the courts know that employers or even schools would discriminate heavily on felons but licensing agencies have measures in place to consider if they are fit to be licensed or not.

Even if the school doesn't find out, why go through all the trouble of nursing school just to find out after the fact that you may not be licensed. Wouldn't you want to know if the BRN is going to have issues beforehand?

This BRN document indicates that policies regarding previous convictions are largely left up to the schools. If you can't attend a clinical rotation because of a previous conviction, the school is not obligated to find you another one.

http://www.rn.ca.gov/practice/pdf/edp-i-33.pdf

While the BRN does encourage schools to work with students in these situations, a determination has to be made that the conviction won't prevent you from getting licensed. The only way to do that is to consult with the school and the BRN now.

Also, why risk violating school policies (whatever they may be) if they find out after the fact that you haven't disclosed it. I just think it's best to be honest and upfront with everyone because it's going to look bad if you don't.

Here's what the California BRN says about convictions. It's pretty clear that all convictions have to be disclosed, even if they have been expunged, and that they review them on a case by case basis.

http://www.rn.ca.gov/lic/lic-dispinfo.htm#1

All convictions must be reported, except for minor traffic violations. Both misdemeanor and felony convictions must be reported, and "driving under the influence" must be reported. Convictions must be reported even if they have been expunged under Penal Code Section 1203.4. Also, offenses must be reported even if the applicant has successfully completed a diversion program under the Penal or Article 5 of the Vehicle Code.

:typing

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Even if the school doesn't find out, why go through all the trouble of nursing school just to find out after the fact that you may not be licensed. Wouldn't you want to know if the BRN is going to have issues beforehand?

This BRN document indicates that policies regarding previous convictions are largely left up to the schools. If you can't attend a clinical rotation because of a previous conviction, the school is not obligated to find you another one.

http://www.rn.ca.gov/practice/pdf/edp-i-33.pdf

While the BRN does encourage schools to work with students in these situations, a determination has to be made that the conviction won't prevent you from getting licensed. The only way to do that is to consult with the school and the BRN now.

Also, why risk violating school policies (whatever they may be) if they find out after the fact that you haven't disclosed it. I just think it's best to be honest and upfront with everyone because it's going to look bad if you don't.

Here's what the California BRN says about convictions. It's pretty clear that all convictions have to be disclosed, even if they have been expunged, and that they review them on a case by case basis.

http://www.rn.ca.gov/lic/lic-dispinfo.htm#1

All convictions must be reported, except for minor traffic violations. Both misdemeanor and felony convictions must be reported, and "driving under the influence" must be reported. Convictions must be reported even if they have been expunged under Penal Code Section 1203.4. Also, offenses must be reported even if the applicant has successfully completed a diversion program under the Penal or Article 5 of the Vehicle Code.

:typing

It says all convictions..In legal terms, when you were tried as a juvenile in juvenile court, the term "conviction" is not applied..A lawyer advised me of this..There are differences when you are an adult and a juvenile..My friend who graduated in the LVN program in California did not have to report any thing that happened under the age of 18 unless she was tried in adult court on her fingerprint sheet to the board of nursing..

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Specializes in Cardiac.

We were specifically told all convictions and arrests, even if they were while you were a juvy or if they were expunged. They ALL have to be disclosed upfront. When they find out about it (and they will) you will lose your license if you already obtain it, or be denied prior to getting it. You need to call your state board ASAP.

There is no getting around the fingerprints. At some point, you will get fingerprinted. I had to give a set to both the state and federal.

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It says all convictions..In legal terms, when you were tried as a juvenile in juvenile court, the term "conviction" is not applied..A lawyer advised me of this..There are differences when you are an adult and a juvenile..My friend who graduated in the LVN program in California did not have to report any thing that happened under the age of 18 unless she was tried in adult court on her fingerprint sheet to the board of nursing..

This is correct. juvenile cases don't result in convictions, they result in ajudications. Therefore I can truthfully answer "no" when asked if I have been convicted of a felony and my record will reflect that. The exceptions (among some other things) are the state licensing agencies and facilities where my offense is considered just like an adult offense. I have already spoken to the BON and they have informed me that my conviction will not bar me from licensing as long as I can demonstrate that I am fit to become a nurse.

State facilities are not so understanding. Someone with a serious felony like me will never work there. As I have been advised by my lawyer this (and applying for my license) is the only time I should report my conviction. Doing so at other times may expose problems that could have been easily avoided by following the correct legal procedure, which unfortunately is not always to openly disclose everything.

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

I tend to agree with you Nervous. However I want you to know that just because the nursing school lets you in, it doesn't mean the state will. Case in point, I work as an RN in a hospital where a GN with a DUI manaqed to get accepted in school, got a job as a GN, started the job with the rest of our orientation group despite the fact he couldn't get a temporary permit, went through the full RN orientation (except couldn't give meds and was designated a "nurse intern"), and now works as as an PCT. I feel so bad for this guy who one day I was giving off report to and a few days later was our aid. The guy is so competent. It's such a shame but the state said no permit and no license. He's extremely pissed off at the school for letting him get as far as he did.

Also, the BONs want to know about adjudications withheld, or adjudications without judgment. This way the bases are fully covered.

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