Obtaining licensing with a criminal background

[kenzijenae]

Hello,

I am currently looking into going to nursing school, but am not sure if it is worth it because of my criminal background. I have had a rough past after my daughter past away and was charged with a felony and two misdemeanors. All of the charges ended up with me getting put on a probation. Once the probation is completed nothing will be on my record at all (they are SIS probation through the state of Missouri.) The charges had to do with theft, my question is once I complete all my required time on probation and go to school is it still possible to be licensed? Is it going to be impossible to do? Has anyone with a past charge of theft that was not actually on there record because of a SIS probation gotten their licence?

Looking for answers and am very nervous due to the fact that I have found a passion for nursing.

Thank you,

Kenzi

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

I'm no lawyer. I do not know if you'll clear background or not. What I do know is that much will entirely depend upon whether or not your record will be actually be clear of convictions and whether or not the board will be able to "see" the charges that were filed against you and consider those as a part of your licensure application. What I also know is that your criminal history will always show an arrest record and that charges were filed against you. What I also know is that background investigators hate to see charges with an open disposition, meaning that there isn't a disposition filed. A disposition can be: dismissed, guilty, not guilty or something similar. An arrest for something that isn't resolved is also an open question and could mean potentially a charge that has yet to be filed against you.

Truly only your state's nursing board would know if you're able to be licensed and they may or may not be able to tell you that until you've actually applied for a license.

My last bit: CONSULT AN ATTORNEY THAT IS KNOWLEDGEABLE IN MATTERS SUCH AS THIS. I cannot stress that enough. Such a lawyer will be able to give you a better idea about the process and what the nursing board requires and/or looks at, and may have a decent opinion about whether or not you'll be able to be licensed.

Good luck.

[kenzijenae]

The state board told me if the probation is completed successfully that I will not be a conviction. I will show up as me being charged, and have plead guilty along with a completed probation. That pretty much will make it so there is no record. I am just nervous that I might be wasting my time once I am finished with probation witch is very soon. I will not have a problem getting into school I know that from what they have already told me..

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

The state board told me if the probation is completed successfully that I will not be a conviction. I will show up as me being charged, and have plead guilty along with a completed probation. That pretty much will make it so there is no record. I am just nervous that I might be wasting my time once I am finished with probation witch is very soon. I will not have a problem getting into school I know that from what they have already told me..

If this is what is shown publicly at the end of your process: charges, guilty plea, and sentence of probation, then you will be considered to have been convicted of whatever you plead guilty to. I have seen guilty pleas with suspended sentences and a dismissal of charges after successful completion of probation. When that happens, what's seen ultimately is a charge with a disposition of "dismissed" and no record of the suspended sentence or guilty plea. If that's the deal you have, then you might be OK.

Remember that "moral turpitude" issues can also keep us from getting licensed as nurses.

That's why I suggested very strongly that you contact a lawyer who is knowledgeable in dealing with your state's nursing board, or at the very least, one that's well-versed in administrative law.

[kenzijenae]

What kind of attorney would I need to find? I just am afraid that I will be wasting my time with school if they will not give me the chance to practice.

[mickeylovesyou]

if you are sure you wont have a conviction on your record, or if you do and have them expunged, you wont have a problem entering nursing school when it comes to clinicals. You will however have to explain to the boards when you apply to take the NCLEX. GOODLUCK!