almostRN#12

I checked "no" because I figured with the three times I had a background check and fingerprinting for school; nobody told me there were any issues. I got the certified copies the BON was asking for; at least I hope it's what they're asking for. I showed the letter to the Circuit Court Clerk person and they gave me whatever printout and stamped/certified the documents. I had to pay $24.00 for four pages (just ridiculous). I would double check that you'd have to go in front of a judge to get the certified copies. I had to go to two different counties and had everything I needed in less than 3 hours. I just went to the Circuit Court Clerk, showed them the letter from the BON and they gave me what I needed. I took my NCLEX and everything along with background checks, you'd think the BON or someone would say "hey! You have a few misdemeanors on your record, don't forget to get the records to submit with your application".

I don't know what state you're from, but from what I can tell you from experience of what I am going through now- Just be honest when you apply for your state license. I graduated from nursing school with my Bachelors in October '14, passed NCLEX (IL) on December 9th and sent in my license application about one week later. It took them about three weeks to cash my payment and from there I was checking the IDFPR website daily in hopes of seeing my license number. While the license number is being processed you are allowed to practice under another nurse; so I of course have applied for SEVERAL nursing positions "license pending." Well, yesterday I received a letter that says in bold letters *PROHIBITED FROM PRACTICING* until I submit certified and stamped court documents from five misdemeanors that were found on my record. Four of them were all from one incident and two of them were actually dropped so I don't know why they even popped up. The first was for defacement of public property which I was stupid and scratched the paint in the police station cell wall and the other my jerk ex b/f hid cannabis in my car and I took the blame for it because he wouldn't fess up. The last one was a stupid teen years decision of retail theft (oh, the things that come back to haunt you). I was never on probation or anything like that; I did however have court supervision and had to do community service hours. I never got in trouble after that and this happened close to 13 years ago. I was DEVISTATED when I got this letter because I have two interviews this week for my DREAM job and now I don't know what to do because I'm not sure how long it will take for these papers to process. What I'm trying to get at is, don't worry about your misdemeanors. There should be NO reason why you wouldn't be able to get your nursing license. What I do suggest you do though, so there is no delay in getting your license once you pass NCLEX is get the court documents from each offence (make sure they're stamped and certified) you can do this at the courthouse in the county in which the misdemeanor occurred. Along with that, the BON will want a detailed statement describing each incident. I know it's tedious, but it's what they want. This way, there will be no delay... Good Luck! I hope this helped.

I need some help, or reassurance! I passed my NCLEX in Illinois on December 9th. I received my nursing license application about one week later and quickly submitted it with my payment. Well, this past Friday I received a letter in the mail stating that I am *Prohibited from Practicing* and that in order to process my application they needed certified court documents from five circumstances that occurred when I was 18. This is well over 12 years ago. Four of the charges occurred on the same day and were a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. My ex boyfriend had me drive him somewhere to sell cannabis. Long story short, because I drove him there without knowing what was going on, I too was charged with delivering cannabis, and on top of that contributing to the delinquency of a minor (both of those charges were dropped against me and read (Nolle Pros) next to the outcome. Aside from that, my stupid ex again hid 2.5 grams or less (as written on the court document) in MY car so when it was searched it was found and labeled as mine. I was advised to plead guilty to that because my ex (the jerk that he was) wasn't taking the blame for it and I couldn't prove it otherwise. I received community service and court supervision and that was all. Then during that same event, while I was in the police station I stupidly scratched the wall in cell they had me in and then was charged with defacement of property less that $300.00. I regret doing that and regret having been caught up with my ex and his horrible ways. For that I had community service and supervision. All was completed and there were no further issues. The last, I was caught in retail theft (stupid teenage years). With that, I was arrested then at court assigned to 24 hours of community service. Stupidly, I didn't complete the community service and when I returned to court the judge literally sent me to jail. My concern with this is that, I was never actually "incarcerated", but was in the holding area of the jail for less than 15 hours until I paid the bail amount. I was in and out the same day and wasn't even in the general population. When I went to get the court documents I asked if I needed "incarceration" documents as well from that 15 hours, but they assured me that the court document that they gave me will be fine. The record given to me doesn't' even say that I was sent to the jail holding cell. It only says "bail 10,000" then says return to court in seven days. I'm concerned because the letter from the BON says to submit incarceration records as well, but technically- I wasn't incarcerated. I never have been. That being said, I submitted all of the required documents along with my lengthy statement of the events and had is express mailed to the BON. Has anyone had a similar situation such as this? What was your outcome? I have an interview this week for my DREAM job and this literally has me depressed and is all I can think about. Also, if you have- how long did it take to get your license? This is seriously ruining my life! The stupid mistakes that come back to haunt you... urg! Thank you so much for reading my lengthy post, but I'm so upset over this! I am no longer the person I was when these happened close to 12 years ago!