Pre-Nursing student with a shoplifting charge wondering about school

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Hi! I'm a pre-nursing student in Orlando, FL. I have shoplifting charge (and conviction) from when I was 16 on my record. I'm 21 now and this is obviously not something I'm proud of. I'm going to be applying for nursing school in August and I'm a completely different person now than I was when this happened (it's the only thing that will show up "wrong" in my file). I'm trying to figure out what to do about this charge. Can someone point me in the right direction, like, do I get a hold of the BON now or do I wait? I'm just really nervous and confused and nursing school is something that I want to do so badly. sorry if this post is confusing I just really need some advice. Thanks!

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The FLBON will not give you any information regarding this. What they will tell you is that the decision will be made (on an individual basis) when you apply to sit for the NCLEX.

It is frustrating because you don't want to spend all that time and money to become a nurse only to be told that you cannot sit for the NCLEX.

IMHO, I wouldn't worry about it. The conviction was 5 yrs ago. By the time you apply to sit for NCLEX, it will 7 or 8 yrs old. They look at how long ago it was and shoplifting is not one of the serious charges and it is not a felony.

For my school, we had to have the background check done before acceptance to the nursing program. Our backgroud check is submitted to each hospital we do clinicals at. If for some reason hospital XYZ (which is our only PEDS option) says NO this person cannot do clinicals here, then we cannot do the program because there is no other PEDS option.

I have 2 misdemeanor check charges. I have not been denied entry to clinicals. This does not mean the BON will automatically allow me to sit for the NCLEX, but I feel that it is a good sign that it will not be an issue. Only time will tell.

My advice..... go for it! :D

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Thank you so much for replying. I've been uberbusy and haven't had a chance to come on here. I don't think it will prevent me from getting into nursing school, but it's in the back of my mind. I'm going to go for it because the idea of nursing excites me so much. Thanks again!

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[color=pink]yea i know how it is i just finished nursing school im 20 now when i was thirteen i had a shoplifting charge and when i was 16 i got two misdemeanors for baterry and disruption of something something, for fighting in school, sooo i went through the whole program not knowing how serious my backround would end up beeing, theres no way to know if u can sit for the nclex until u actually apply to sit for the nclex... i just sent all the court records to the bon u also will have to write a letter explaining how u have changed and whatnot, and ur also allowed to send up to five letters of reccomendation.. so all u can do is try... good luck though:) and wish me luck as i await my letter to sit for the nclex...:heartbeat

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thanks for all your post they really do help!

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