RN with a misdemeanor

Published

I am 19 years old and so very stupid. I have been through a lot this past month a couple deaths and was diagnosed bipolar. The day I was I do not know what came over me but I stole 2 necklaces that were only valued at 36 total dollars. I had the money, I even had a credit card for the store, idk why I did what I did but I did do it. After I payed for the other things I bought (yes I even bought other things) I walked out the store and a security guy walked out behind me and asked me to step back in the store then called the cops and I got arrested was supposed to stay in jail overnight but I didn't I did get fingerprinted and written a ticket for 2,120 dollars and I am also having to pay a separate 300 dollar fine from the store. I live in South Carolina and when I was 17, I was charged with assault because here if you get in a fight at all at school you're supposed to get arrested but because I did not hit her at all, just blocked her hits and was literally in every club I could be in, an A student, and a cheerleader with no other problems prior to I was given pre trial intervention which is only given once in SC and when you complete it your charge gets expunged which the assault charge is expunged now but PTI is a one time good shot program. There is no way out of this for me. I was going to apply to the nursing program here and I don't think I will have a problem with that but will I have a problem with getting my licensure? Will I have to appeal to the board of nurses? Will I have a problem doing clinicals in nursing school? And if I get through all that, will I even get job out of nursing school? My long term goal is to get my doctorates in practical nursing but I cannot without my RN. Will it affect grad school and getting a job as a DNP? And lastly I have not been convicted yet, my trial is in 15 days. Do I absolutely need an attorney? I don't see getting a plea bargain as an option seeing as I am guilty on camera and all. Help is beyond greatly appreciated I need it as fast as possible and as in depth as possible please thank you so much.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Get an attorney.

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

If you have no money to clean up your name get a pardon from the state you have made the offenses. I had a DUI in 1982, it was simple; had 2 beers blew right over the limit; no excuse...anyway, since then I NEVER get behind the wheel with any amount of alcohol in me.

I'm licensed in a state that didn't bat their eye twice upon seeing my offense but I am moving to a state that is very strict and does deny RN license to people with past DUIs. I was advised to get a pardon. I am waiting for the governor to rule on it as we speak. So, on the app for endorsement I may put that my offense was pardoned by the governor. It might work, it might not. My state does not expunge past DUI offenses so there's nothing else I can do.

We all make mistakes, I just don't think we should be punished for the rest of our lives for it if we have rectified and learned from said lesson :)

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Be prepared to answer lots of questions from your school and the board. I have a 25 year old dwi and a misdemeanor hot check charge that is that old also and I have had to answer for at all 3 schools I have attended (ASN, BSN, and MSN). I contacted the nursing board before I even applied to nursing school took them my record and the information where I paid restitution and have not had a problem. Now that I am nearing the end of my studies to be a NP I have already contacted the DEA to make sure I will be able to get a DEA number. Just be honest and proactive.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

I have moved your post to criminal history forum for the best response. The is a moderated forum so responses need to be approved.

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PM Sent.

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The safest bet is to get a licensing attorney, as keylimesqueez said. It is really hard to say whether your school will say anything and accept you. Even if they let you in, it is hard to say what the hospitals where the school does clinicals is going to say. Even if they let you do clinicals, it's hard to say what the Board of Nursing will say.

Also, definitely be honest, just like twinkerss said. Good luck.

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