PANICKED! Arrest from almost 20yrs. ago surfaced on background check!

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HELP!!! I need any feedback from anyone who has had this problem!

I have worked as an LPN for the past 7 years and recently graduated with my RN degree. After all the stress and nail biting.. my authorization to sit for boards came and I scheduled for mid July. Today, I recieved a letter from the state BON that I had an arrest/conviction that showed up from 2/1992! I was in total shock and could have literally vomited right there on the floor! This was a stupid mistake I made in my youth that had something to do with tampering with a mailbox for which a pre-trial diversion was made, restitution paid, probation completed and then expunged from my record. I assumed the arrest record would also be expunged and I could go on with life, however, with the fingerprinting now being required, I have to deal with this mess.. almost 20yrs later! What's worse is that they want me to send a letter and provide all this documentation and I can't even remember who the attorney was, much less who my probation officer was.

Has anyone had to deal with the TN BON in regards to something like this? What was it like? I plan to call the BON after the holiday and try to reach someone at the court to see what kind of documentation I can get to send in, but I am more stressed now than I was for my final nursing exam!!!!

Please! Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!!

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You need to get legal advice from an attorney to deal with the Board. The Board handles each case on an individual basis and we are not allowed to give legal advice on this site.

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Not looking for legal advice... Looking for anyone who has been through a similar situation and a little info on their experience with it.

Why would I need yet ANOTHER attorney anyway? As I said in my post, I plan to contact the board after the holiday as well as the court system to get whatever information they have as well. Will I really need to consult an attorney in this matter??

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

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 currently licensed as a nurse and have been charged with or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor including dui/dwi or any criminal offense, you need to contact the bon in every state you hold a license/wish to be licensed and ask their reporting requirements.

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.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

relax

check out info here: https://allnurses.com/nursing-licensure-criminal/faq-nursing-licensure-163600.html#post3213943

what types of documentation do i need to submit in support of my application if i have a prior criminal record or license discipline?

answer:

  • official court document(s) regarding each of your criminal offenses, showing the date(s) and circumstance(s) surrounding your arrest(s), sections of the law violated, and disposition of the case. this includes the complaint or indictment, the judgment, order of probation, docket sheet or other documents showing the disposition of your case(s). you may obtain these documents at the clerk of court where the offense(s) occurred.
  • copies of documents regarding disciplinary action taken against any healthcare license. the documents must come from the agency that took the disciplinary action.
  • a detailed description in your own words of the circumstances surrounding your criminal record or disciplinary action. include a description of the changes in your lifestyle since the time of the offense(s) which would enable you to avoid future incidents. list factors in your life, which you feel, may have contributed to your crime or disciplinary action and what you have learned.

to obtain records, call or visit the clerk of courts office in the county where legal procedings occured.

info available online, search " clerk of courts + county name + state"

criminal records and getting back into the workforce

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