does it really pay to be honest???

[cna2lpn80]

my dilemma is i have been a cna for three years now, and recently got my lpn license.

but however the issue is, due to a misdemeanor on my record from january 2002 that i reported to the board of nursing on my application, and was issued six months probation with supervisor reports quarterly, (so most likely two reports.) i have been running into no we dont hire with probationary license, or i even got a job offer then the day before i was to get the physical, i got a call saying basically that they cant hire with a probationary license.

i applied at the place where im working as a cna, and first it was an issue with my license, then i was told now thats not the issue, they dont have any available positions now for me. mind you ive been here three years, they now about my background. they know me and the person i am, and not what it looks like on paper.

so i was basically crushed when that did'nt work out for me.

i just feel depressed, down and sad. my family and children were so proud of me when i graduated nursing school, i was feeling good, i graduated with honors.

i know this is what i meant to do, i love being a cna, and always dreamed of being a nurse.

i cannot get the probation withdrawn until i have six months of active nursing practice, but it's starting to look like that wont happen.

i am constantly thinking, why did i mention my background to the board of nursing?

i feel like being honest in this situation only hurt me, not help.

so does it really pay to be honest?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

You possibly would have been in more trouble if you had never mentioned your conviction, because state boards of nursing tend to find out about these things sooner or later through background checks. It is hard to hide something about your past from an entity such as a BON and get away with it, especially a misdemeanor, because it eventually resurfaces.

By the way, I have worked with many nurses who had probationary licenses.

[LINJOH8571]

I agree, if you dont tell the truth things will always be worse. My favorite saying that my mom had when I was growing up was, "no matter what you do, if you do something wrong, own up to it, cuz you will get caught in the end." I know what you are saying though, but anything worthwhile is never easy.

[ziggysgal,RN]

Perhaps it would help to widen your search to include areas that are less desirable to work in? Since that six month probationary period is so pivotal to getting past your past, maybe look for employers who really desperately need the help.. Yes, this means you will likely encounter the frustrations that you read about on here... but once you have that probationary period over... and even that first year of practice under your belt... there isn't much that can stand in your way!

It's rough, but be pro-active... don't let it get you down... send out 100 resumes and if you get 100 no's then send out 100 more! Refuse to let it hold you back. Don't give up until you have exhausted every single option available to you. You made it this far, you CAN persevere! It will not be easy, but if you just keep at it, you will find a solution.

[Anne36, LPN]

Im very sorry for your trouble I hope you are able to find something but this is a tough time to get a job under the best of circumstances.

At my school you cant even get into the nursing program with a misdemeanor less than 10 years old. We have to go through background checks just to get accepted.

[belgarion]

In cases like this it's always better to be up front at the start because the BON WILL find out. One of my classmates got dinged pretty good over a juvenile arrest that had occurred nearly twenty years earlier. He was thirteen at the time.

It sounds rough but you will probably have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to find something to get through this. Try applying at places no one really wants to work and tough it out for the six months. Once you get through the probation then you can try for an upgrade.

[cna2lpn80]

thanks for all the advice, i will do some of the things suggested.

the way i look at it is i did not come this far to fail now, something will happen for me when it is meant to.

everything happens for a reason!!!!!