Soo Many Posts On Criminal Records

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There are soo many posts on criminal records and applying to take the NCLEX. We have such a nursing shortage yet it is so difficult to try to obtain licensure with a record even after the fact of passing those hard 2 or 4 years of nursing school. There should be a new rule that people should be able to find out if they are even able to take the boards before they get into school. I feel that if someone who has a record and has passed nursing school compared to someone with a clean record that can't even pass the first semester should have the same opportunity without such a hassle. Besides something associated with murder or whatever.

And why do nurses who already have licences and become druggies get to have second chances with their diversion programs etc. The BON even encloses information to those nurses about where to get help. Where is the justice for those who have paid their dues back to society and are not yet nurses?!!

Ok ... so I guess California is falling outside of the norm. If other schools and employers are doing this in other states, I wonder why California nursing schools and employers aren't checking fingerprints.

:confused:

I wonder that myself. If CA did that...myself and all the other nursing graduates on here trying to apply to even sit for the boards wouldn't have to go through this "mystery" process. It would save a lot of time, money and spaces in the program if they let us know before hand if we're allowed to sit for licensure or not. NRSkarenRN, thanks for the information you posted. That was very helpful!! Now I know I'm not alone in the state of California. Since none of the schools or hospitals for clincal placement don't fingerprint any of their students. I'm thinking about taking the boards in another state if CA will not let me.

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There are soo many posts on criminal records and applying to take the NCLEX. We have such a nursing shortage yet it is so difficult to try to obtain licensure with a record even after the fact of passing those hard 2 or 4 years of nursing school. There should be a new rule that people should be able to find out if they are even able to take the boards before they get into school. I feel that if someone who has a record and has passed nursing school compared to someone with a clean record that can't even pass the first semester should have the same opportunity without such a hassle. Besides something associated with murder or whatever.

And why do nurses who already have licences and become druggies get to have second chances with their diversion programs etc. The BON even encloses information to those nurses about where to get help. Where is the justice for those who have paid their dues back to society and are not yet nurses?!!

There's no room in Nursing to be so desperate to fill a spot that you would knowingly hire an ex-con. Lets just go ahead and hire an ex child molester for the local day care, he paid his dues in prison, right? As far as offering assistance to a nurse delveloping a drug or other alcohol problem after working as a nurse, I get that! She/he will have to work under restriction, and still may lose their license. Even if your not a nurse, employers are required to offer you a program if you have a drug problem. If you're not compliant, then they can fire you.
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What about exceptional cases? I had a girl in one of my classes who's husband was grown marijuana in the garage or shed or something. She had nothing to do with it or approved of it. He got caught and now she is worried about being able to be a nurse even though she was not involved.

If her husband was out in the barn smoking doobies, she knew it. If you know it and do nothing, you are responsible also.

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There's no room in Nursing to be so desperate to fill a spot that you would knowingly hire an ex-con. Lets just go ahead and hire an ex child molester for the local day care, he paid his dues in prison, right? As far as offering assistance to a nurse delveloping a drug or other alcohol problem after working as a nurse, I get that! She/he will have to work under restriction, and still may lose their license. Even if your not a nurse, employers are required to offer you a program if you have a drug problem. If you're not compliant, then they can fire you.

I'm not talking about serious offenses such as a serious of a crime as that. I see that the BON makes it clear who can and can't even try to go ahead and try to take the boards. Obviously applicants who abuse people or drugs are a big no no in nursing. I'm talking about people with less serious of a crime for example, being accused of stealing whether it be a stop sign or a car.:roll

For the post I did in the first place regarding the nurses who abuse drugs. People must be misunderstanding me. I was trying to say...If those nurses are given a second chance to rehabilitate even after all the humility, sobering up etc. if they worked hard enough to become that respectable person again THEY ARE OFFERED that second chance. Then please let someone who has rehabiliated themselves and have had their pardon for their records being expunged or sealed given a chance to even take the NCLEX. But as you all are saying it IS hard enough to obtain licensure back for that nurse who is offered their second chance. I guess everyone who has that mark on their record licensed/nonlicensed just has to work harder for that second chance to maintain/become a nurse.

Once again, I'm not talking about child molestors/abusers or people who have meth labs set up down the street. Hopefully I made myself clearer this time around. :p

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Specializes in PP, OR, med-surg,oncology, urodynamics.

Again, I understand hopeful:thankya: :thankya:

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In Oregon a criminal background check was performed prior tp being accepted into the nursing program. The only time I was finger printed was by an employer, d/t being out of state for a period of time and when I answered yes to past history.

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I know from experience how you feel about your problem. I just recently graduated from LPN school in Arkansas. I have a past criminal history. I am a convicted felon. I was convicted of 3rd degree burglary when I was 17 and I am now 26 and haven't so much as got a speeding ticket since. I was never told that I could see if the board would let me take my test before I began school even though the school new I was a felon. I went through school, and I worked hard. I graduated 2 months ago. I sent all my stuff in to the board, my convictions, letters from my lawyer, whatever they wanted. Well, they denied my application.:bluecry1: However I was able to file for a waiver, it's like an appeal. I waited for a month and a half before I was called and informed that they would let me take my test!!!!:bowingpur woohoo. Just two days ago they called me. So I have now scheduled to take my test and am praying that I haven't forgotten anything. I hope this helps you to have a little hope. And I also hope no one looks down on me for my past history. Like you said, if you met me right now you would not even imagine that I have a criminal history.:saint: So they do look at your case on an individual basis.

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Well in my state there is no way to find out. I tried and the BON just said go through with the coorifice. I don't agree with that method at all. Here you have to take the coorifice graduate then pass the boards and thats when they take you into consideration for licensure. You have to go through a moral character review & that takes a few months.

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Here's my situation. I was accepted into nursing school only after writing a letter addressing my criminal record. I was also told in advance that this does not gurantee I would be able to sit for the boards. After graduation I applied in my state. I had to write a letter to the BON also, and whatever would aid my case. While awaiting the BON decission, I thought about what I would do if denied. This included, continuing school to let more time pass since my conviction. Also applying for licensure in other states. It was during this time while the BON was taking forever, I found another state,while viewing the application, that only inquired about Felonies not misdemeanors, but the application also asked if you had ever been denied licensure by another state. I quickly called the BON and recinded my application( I didnt want to get denied and then have to report that on subsequent applications). I applied with the other state and receive my authorization to sit for NCLEX within 1 week. Whether the first state was going to deny or accept me...Dont Know, Dont Care. IM a RN. I feel your pain. and hope for you the best!

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I totally understand how you feel, cause I'm in the same boat. I have searched all over the web and contacted the BRN multiple times and return to the same answer...BRN reviews on a case by case basis. I wish I could help you...but you seem to have the same info I have. It is so frustrating to not know whether or not we will be able to sit for the Nclex...since they wont let you know until you finish nursing school. Does anyone here know someone in the same boat that was able to sit for the NCLEX or denied? :o Can anyone help?:scrying:

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, Home Health, Oncology.
I know from experience how you feel about your problem. I just recently graduated from LPN school in Arkansas. I have a past criminal history. I am a convicted felon. I was convicted of 3rd degree burglary when I was 17 and I am now 26 and haven't so much as got a speeding ticket since. I was never told that I could see if the board would let me take my test before I began school even though the school new I was a felon. I went through school, and I worked hard. I graduated 2 months ago. I sent all my stuff in to the board, my convictions, letters from my lawyer, whatever they wanted. Well, they denied my application.:bluecry1: However I was able to file for a waiver, it's like an appeal. I waited for a month and a half before I was called and informed that they would let me take my test!!!!:bowingpur woohoo. Just two days ago they called me. So I have now scheduled to take my test and am praying that I haven't forgotten anything. I hope this helps you to have a little hope. And I also hope no one looks down on me for my past history. Like you said, if you met me right now you would not even imagine that I have a criminal history.:saint: So they do look at your case on an individual basis.

Hi

I was just looking thru this thread & came to your post.

I just wanted to wish you the Best of Luck. I hope you will let us know when you pass!!!!!

Good for you!! I doubt if most people here will look down on you. I applaud your accomplishments

Mary Ann

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i'd think that if the school thinks an individual is potential nursing material, they might even help that person get a ruling from the board early on.

i certainly hope you have enlisted the help of your nursing program and staff. they should be your biggest advocates. [banana]good luck![/banana]

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