Hi, I just want to get some insight on my situation. Please comment if you've dealt with this before or know someone who has.
I was licensed in 2011, but I did not get my first nursing job until 2014.
I was convicted of Misdemeanor Retail Theft in 2013.
I recently received a noticed saying I was placed on Refuse to Renew status because I did not inform the Nursing Board of my conviction ( I had no idea I was supposed to!)
My employers are aware of my conviction and I've been working FT all year.
My main concern is that I'm supposed to renew Jan 31. So I'm worried I will lose my job and I'm the head of the household.
I was told to file a petition for a court hearing and I've started that process.
My concerns are: How much will a lawyer cost? How long will this process take? Should I tell my employer? Will the Nursing Board remove this status and allow me to renew my license?
My state BON doesn't ask this. They only ask if we've completed our CEU's and if we are behind in child support payments.
This does not make sense. If it is a requirement, then it would make sense that there would be a prompt question on the license renewal form, like in my state.
I was not working as a nurse at the time like i stated and the retail theft was items for my family. My "poor judgment" was making sure my children had clothes and food.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I was not working as a nurse at the time like i stated and the retail theft was items for my family. My "poor judgment" was making sure my children had clothes and food.
Sadly the BON is still going to not look kindly upon this. The BON is NOT your friend. You need a lawyer familiar with licensing issues. If you have malpractice insurance call them they can provide a lawyer at least to protect your license.
The BON is not going to care about your motivation just that you were convicted.
Sadly the BON is still going to not look kindly upon this. The BON is NOT your friend. You need a lawyer familiar with licensing issues. If you have malpractice insurance call them they can provide a lawyer at least to protect your license.
The BON is not going to care about your motivation just that you were convicted.
True. I've sat in on BON hearings and you would be surprised how detatched they can be.
A lot of nurses are under the mistaken assumption that if they could only get a chance to explain it to the BON that the BON would understand and be sympathetic. That is not the case at all. The BON's priority is the public, not you (general) the nurse.
You really should get legal counsel to help you no matter what it takes, because having an experienced attorney on your side can help mitigate the damage to your license...no, having a lawyer doesn't guarantee you will get off the hook, but it greatly improves the odds that things will be better for you. Depending on your income, you may qualify for pro-bono or sliding scale fees. Grab your phone book and start making calls.
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
This does not make sense. If it is a requirement, then it would make sense that there would be a prompt question on the license renewal form, like in my state.