Soo Many Posts On Criminal Records

Published

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?!!

I was convicted of a felony, Burglary of a Bldg, in 1982, at the age of 19. I am in my 40's now. I started nsg school at 38. I am currently an LPN. In Washington I received my license w/out any problem. I also hold a license in Mississippi and Alabama. Now, Mississippi will give you a license but will not let you work in a hosp or LTC facility d/t ur record. So why have a MS license? I can work in most states, but not all. If the conviction is old most boards will work w/ you and you can be a nurse. It depends on the state, age at time of conviction, etc. Yes, it is depressing sometimes to have to report my past conviction to the BON's but I don't let it stop me from trying. I was just a kid then who made a grave mistake and most BON's recognize that. When I look back on my youth and the things that I did it is like looking at someone else's life. I am proud of who I am today and I will never let the past stop me. I am a good nurse and a good employee. I have, and will, survive. :studyowl:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I've been through three employer background checks and none of them involved fingerprints. Again, I may be wrong about this, but I don't think employers can run fingerprints. I think only state agencies and law enforcement can. If nursing schools are running fingerprints I would guess that is has to go through the BON.

The only time I've been fingerprinted was when I took a CNA course and when we had a psych rotation at a state facility for the criminally insane. Of course, when I go for BON licensure, I'll be fingerprinted for that also.

:typing

In Mississippi potential employers DO fingerprint checks but the companies pay for them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

again i'm sort of confused..and i really need to turn in my application packet for the nclex soon..anyways..i have 4 arrests which are just charges and only 1 conviction misdeameanor which was expunged. I know I have to state the conviction and write about that in my letter to the board, but do I need to write about my other arrests that were not conivctions. My lawyer pointed out to me that it says nowhere on the BRN site for CA to point out my arrests, it just says convictions. So in my letter do I put down all the arrests and 1 conviction...or do I just write about my 1 conviction. If anyone has information anywhere about the CA BRN stating I have to put down all arrests that didn't lead to convictions please let me know. My lawyer told me I wouldn't have to state the other arrests since they were just charges and not a conviction. I did contact BRN on this and I'm waiting for the legal dept to call my lawyer back....but if anyone has info now...it would be helpful

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would imagine that as part of your criminal record the arrests would show, and failing to declare them could result in charges of falsification. I know it's harsh, but I would think that the best way to go about this is to be completely honest, if you end up giving them more information than you legally needed to, that would show them that you are trying to come totally clean with them and might bode well for you. What all have you included in your packet? Are the charges/arrests drug related or violent? (PM me if you'd rather not discuss that here. I have a reason for asking).

I wish you the best of luck. Let us know how things turn out!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

two questions we seem to be encountering more and more often have to do with the effects of a criminal history on nursing licensure:

  • is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a criminal history?
  • what happens if you are charged or convicted of a crime after licensure?

these are questions that can not be answered by the membership of allnurses. the only reliable source of information is your state board of nursing.

please refer to this thread for other information:

nursing licensure with a criminal history

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion