Nurse2B_88

Which state allowed you to test after 3.5 years of graduation? I am having trouble locating a state because many want you to pass before 3 years.

Hi OP, Which state did you receive your nursing license from? I am 3 years post grad and am finding trouble locating a state board that doesn't have a time restriction on when you must pass NCLEX postgrad! Thank you in advance.

I'm sorry, I meant that there are 6 states in the US that are said to not run an FBI background check.

Hello everyone! I know there are a few states that do not require a background check in order to receive a license. I currently live in CA and since my misdemeanor is recent, I know my hopes of working in CA are lost now. I'm already in my last year of nursing school so dropping out is not an option. I love what I do and it's worth it for me to take the risk of not being licensed to pursue my dreams. So my thought process is this.....There are 6 states in CA that do not conduct background checks to obtain a license. Is it more favorable, if I get licensed in one of these states, work for a few years, then ask for license through endorsement with CA once 5+ years has past since my last conviction? Does anyone know if license through endorsement (as opposed through exam) would be easier when going through enforcement? (Since the BRN-CA will see that you've been working as a nurse for some time and have not gotten into any trouble since. Any advice would be greatly appreciate!

Hello everyone! So I'm going to ask a question that I'm sure many of us want to know. I have made mistakes in my past and I'm getting ready to graduate soon. As many of you know, the pursuit of a nursing career with a criminal background is an ongoing uphill battle. First, you need to pass a background check to get into the program. Second, you've gotta make sure the clinical site allows you to practice there (otherwise you're out of the program). Third, you've gotta get licensed, and IMO only a restricted one is worth it to accept (a probationary license mostly means no employer will touch you and you will have your record make public when anyone looks up your nursing license). Lastly, even if you get licensed somehow, you've got to find a hospital willing to hire you. So I've got 2 questions for everyone: 1. Which state is more "lax" in giving unrestricted licenses to those who have prior convictions? I have 2 misdemeanors in my past, 1 of which is more recent =( 2. Which state is more "lax" in hiring nurses with a prior conviction? Right now, I know there are 6 states that do not do criminal background checks for nursing license- Colorado, Wisconsin, Hawaii, New York, New Hampshire, and Maine. So that will be helpful in receiving a license, but anyone heard about how difficult it is to actually get a job in these states???

Thank you Nurse Beth, this was very informative. Will be sharing!

Sorry OP, I do not know any ABSN or direct entry MSN programs that place more emphasis on prerequisite grades rather than cumulative GPA. However, there are programs that will only consider your last 60 or 90 quarter/semester units rather than your total undergrad GPA, which may be beneficial to you depending on when your received your lower grades.

Haha this made me laugh. Why does it matter if I'm a nurse or not? What extra qualifications are necessary to be able to post my opinion online? It's people like YOU and comments like THAT which undermines any potential valuable influence/advice that can be an added benefit to this online community. I can play dirty like you have, but I'm not even going to waste any negative energy on you.

I am not saying that OP's responses have been stellar, BUT certainly those latter comments would not have transpired had the conversation been stopped with OP's "apology." I do NOT think that VANurse2010's comment was rude, however it is a personal comment towards the OP which can easily be misinterpreted, which is why I understand (not condone) the reaction. When you make things personal, don't be surprised if you're met with resistance/retaliation. Communication online is completely different from communication in person. So to say that OP is lacking interpersonal skills is far fetched, especially since one can not judge that from this thread post alone. You have no idea how OP behaves with others in person, so stop making personal "attacks" on OP and you won't get any negativity in response.

Well, this was OP's response to the comment. Seems fair and respectful enough. Things could've just ended there, however, another member chose to take things further by suggesting OP to change his/her gestures of friendliness, thereby eliciting a "negative" comment that everyone is in an uproar about. Had that person not even added fuel to the fire, OP would not have "retaliated" with that brash comment. Get over it!!!! Ladies, gentlemen, boys, girls, trans, whatever you are....We are all present day or aspiring nurses who share the same passion.

I'm not sure why some people are taking the "ladies" comment so seriously. Learn to sort through political incorrectness, grammatical/syntax errors, etc and just answer the OP's question. OP is asking for advice, yet others are choosing to hijack his thread and go off tangent on a minor detail that is irrelevant to the topic entirely. I'm a female and was not offended by the statement. Why? Because MANY people say "you guys," and I choose to interpret that as an all inclusive statement, rather than to take things personally. To the OP, if you have a prior bachelors, I think it would be best to choose an accelerated BSN route then get your Master's at a later time (the master's program may only look at your BSN GPA, but you will have to contact programs directly to get the most accurate information). If you go for an entry level's master's program now directly, they will look at your undergrad GPA which seems too low to get accepted. Otherwise, you can go the ADN route, then apply to a bridge program from ADN-MSN (those programs aren't as plentiful, but they're out there). Going ADN--BSN--MSN is too long of a process, and you're correct, NOT efficient.

That was answered throughout this thread already, you need to do some searching a few pages before.

I do realize that this thread is pretty old but I figured it wouldn't hurt to try. I am a student who was dismissed from my nursing program during my senior semester, so that means most of my BSN required courses are already completed. I am looking for a school that will give me credit for some of my classes, so that I will not have to start all over. I have already submitted my application online, and have not yet sent in my official transcripts or course descriptions. I was interested in joining in November, however with the lackadaisical approach from admissions, I'm sure that may be a struggle. I am simply looking for a school where I can get in, get my degree, and get out. Does anyone know of any cases where people have been admitted to La Inter and were given credit for the nursing theory they have taken at other programs? And for someone in my case, which trimester does the transfer student usually start in? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Congratulations OP! Thank you for sharing your success story and inspiring me to pursue my dream despite the obstacles in my way. You are a true testament that when one path becomes closed, you find another route to get to your end goal =)

Thank you Dan! I will keep trying. I will not give up on my dream =)

Of course, I know that the school needs to make money as well. I am only looking for schools that will give me SOME credits for ANY core nursing classes I have taken so that I don't start all over from the beginning. I've done extensive browsing on this site so I know this is going to be a VERY difficult task. I also know that I will have to make numerous phone calls to see which nursing program will accept my nursing credits, and only the director will have the answer for me. What I want to know is, has anyone out there been successful at finding a school that will accept some of the nursing classes previously taken from another program? If so, which schools did you attend? Thank you in advance for the responses.

Edit* It will not show as a failing grade in my transcript, but a "W" for withdraw, if that makes a difference.

Does anyone know of any schools that accepts nursing credits as a transfer student? I failed out of a BSN program my senior semester and am trying to find a school that will accept some of my nursing courses so I do not have to start over from scratch. California schools are preferable, but I am also willing to go out of state if that is what it takes. I do understand that most programs will not accept nursing transfer credits, however I have seen several people post success stories of schools accepting their credits, so I know that it is possible with enough searching.

Hi calicalinurse, I'm just wondering in what type of facility did someone extend an offer for work? Is this a skilled nursing facility? Hospital???

Hi kariace, Here is my situation and you may find it helpful. I have 2 arrests for petty theft (one 8 years ago and one 6 years ago). I was only convicted of the second one (since it was a second offense) and I then got my conviction EXPUNGED (in CA, you are able to get misdemeanors expunged). When applying to school, they did a background check on me and gave me the option to view the report. It showed up with no findings. I have never had trouble getting into clinicals during the program either. I HIGHLY recommend you getting your record expunged, the sooner the better. This means that when you are working at clinical sites, if they ask you if you've ever been convicted of a crime you can answer NO. So I honestly don't think youll have issues getting into a nursing program. The issue is being able to sit for the NCLEX by the BRN. At that point, you will have to show them proof of rehabilitation and any efforts you've made to change your life. Whether that is seeking counseling, doing volunteer work, working with a youth group, etc. Do these things and make sure you can provide proof of it later. I'm graduating soon and my next hurdle is getting licensed. Hopefully I can come back with a success story. Continue to pursue your dream of nursing! It is possible, but having a background will create obstacles in the way. If you love nursing, you will jump through them to get there. Learn from your mistakes and stay out of trouble. Having a repeat or multiple offenses just makes everything that much more difficult.

Hi Cheethaj, Thank you SO MUCH for this post, it has been so helpful. It would mean the world to me if you can send me an email so that I can ask you some questions? I graduate in 2 months and just found out all of the paperwork I needed to gather for this and am feeling so overwhelmed, I'm unsure where to start. Would you please email me if you could? [email protected]. Thank you.

Hi Lisa, I am in the same exact position you were once in (I was arrested at the same mall, for the same thing). Is there a way I can email you with some questions I might have? I am graduating in 2 months and was just informed of all of this documentation I have to muster up and I am so overwhelmed! Any tips you can give me would mean the world to me.

Thank you SOOOO much for sharing your story! I am in the same situation and this has 1. given me hope for my future 2. gave me invaluable tips for my own situation. THANK YOU!

hey jyang072. For me, I went through private loans. Tuition for the first semester is due within the first week of when classes begin. I was the August 13' cohort, so I paid roughly $12500 for first semester of theory by August. I did not get loans for the theology courses. I don't remember the timeline, but all I remember is that I had plenty of time to figure out my financial aid stuff. Hope that answers your question.

Hi guys! I was put on the waitlist but was offered a position last Thursday! I'm can't wait to meet all of you! Can someone also private message me the facebook link? I can't seem to find it, and I can't send any private messages either.