Please Help Me!

P_RN, ADN, RN · Nov 30, 2004

Take a look at this site:

http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=148209&highlight=felony+shoplifting

It sounds very similar to what you wrote.

SarasLPN · Nov 30, 2004

from what we have been told is if you have a record of any kind is not to waste the teachers and your time. that the state board is who decides if you will get your license and they most always turn down those who have been arrested for abuse, drugs and stealing. i can't blame them for not wanting to take that chance. but in your case maybe you can talk to them and they may you slide....good luck with that.

take a look at this site:
http://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?t=148209&highlight=felony+shoplifting
it sounds very similar to what you wrote.

country nurse · Nov 30, 2004

Hello everyone! I desperatly need help/advice...I am a 22 year old about to apply to nursing school. I want to be a RN. Here's the thing...I JUST found out that if you have any sort of criminal record, you can't go to nursing school or get a liscense! I'm heartbroken! All I've ever wanted to be was a nurse. In my senior year of high school I allowed someone to coerce me into stealing a shirt from a department store, and now I have a felony on my record. Is this really the end of my nursing dream? I've heard that here (Arizona) you can try and get your liscense after 5 years from absolute discharge, but is that true? Will anyone even hire me? If I get my record expunged will I have a better chance? Anyone who knows anything PLEASE send me a message...I am so sad right now I could cry for days. I did one stupid thing when I was younger and now I might lose out on my dream. =*(

don't quote me on this because i am not 100% sure, but i think the nursing school you apply to looks at it on a case by case basis, or they should. Contact the nursing school, explain the situation to them, they can look into the circumstances. Go ahead and find out what you have to do to get it expunged from your record and do it. Even if you get it removed, let the school know about it anyway, it always looks better if you are up front about it . It would be a tragic thing if we lost the potential of a good nurse because of youthful foolishness. good luck to you and don't give up on your dream. :nurse:

saskrn · Nov 30, 2004

Hello everyone! I desperatly need help/advice...I am a 22 year old about to apply to nursing school. I want to be a RN. Here's the thing...I JUST found out that if you have any sort of criminal record, you can't go to nursing school or get a liscense! I'm heartbroken! All I've ever wanted to be was a nurse. In my senior year of high school I allowed someone to coerce me into stealing a shirt from a department store, and now I have a felony on my record. Is this really the end of my nursing dream? I've heard that here (Arizona) you can try and get your liscense after 5 years from absolute discharge, but is that true? Will anyone even hire me? If I get my record expunged will I have a better chance? Anyone who knows anything PLEASE send me a message...I am so sad right now I could cry for days. I did one stupid thing when I was younger and now I might lose out on my dream. =*(

Call the nursing school and BON. After all, they are the ones you have to answer to.

VizslaMom · Nov 30, 2004

Were you 17 or 18 years old when the offense occured?

If you weren't charged as an ADULT, but were charged as a juvenille, then it won't show up on adult records.

A lawyer could clarify the details better, I'm sure. But, my understanding is that juvenille records are closed.

BTW, a mere shirt doesn't cost enough to charge you with a FELONY anyway. My guess is that you were charged with a misdemeanor....unless it was one heck of an expensive shirt. :eek: People serve jail time for felonies and it doesn't sound to me like you spent time in jail.

I also agree with another poster that you should own up to your own mistake and not place blame on another that might have "coerced" you. As nurses we must own up to our mistakes when we make them...most of us do occasionally - we're human.