Starting Nursing school with a criminal record!?

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Hi, my name is Francisco Mireles and I recently decided to go to nursing school but Im scare that after 4 years of school I wont be able to get licence. I was in the military for 4 years and after I got out I had a huge problem understanding the transition and I got a in a couple of altercations with the cops I got a DUI and some other minor misdemeanors. What are my chances of becoming a a nurse?

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Hi my name is Francisco Mireles and I recently decided to go to nursing school but Im scare that after 4 years of school I wont be able to get licence. I was in the military for 4 years and after I got out I had a huge problem understanding the transition and I got a in a couple of altercations with the cops I got a DUI and some other minor misdemeanors. What are my chances of becoming a a nurse?[/quote']

Really hard because they do back ground checks

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I would talk to the director of the school and bring in your criminal record... Figure it out before going through 4 years

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When I enrolled in school they did a criminal background check that I paid for, and checked my credit report. Alot of schools will not let you in if you have a criminal background its a waste of your time and there's. I know in Missouri you have to have a criminal background check before you can even go to nursing school. Hope that helps.

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In Canada you can't write your registration exams with a criminal record. There are a few students in my class applying for pardons now so that they will be eligible to register after graduation. Our students with criminal records may be turned away from placement opportunities at the facilities discretion but so far no one has, and they all meet with their facilities prior to start date to discuss this as it shows on our practicum permits.

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Specializes in OB.

With a criminal record you will not be eligible to sit for the NCLEX anywhere in the US. Probably not even be able to even get accepted into a nursing program as it has been mentioned all school run a background check prior starting. I would speak to a counselor and explain the situation to see what they say before doing anything else.

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There are many threads here on AN that can help give you some insight on this topic. Look under General Nursing, Nurses/Recovery. It seems to all depend on the offense, how much time has passed, and which state (some are more lenient than others). Good luck to you!

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I know plenty at my school that have records that have been able to go to clinicals, and even I do and am about to graduate in May. It all depends on the amount of time passed, the amount of convictions, etc. It is not black and white, which is why you would be taking a chance to go through school and to be licensed. My program director told me not to go to school, but who is she to tell me to give up my dream without a fight or even without trying?

My offenses were all when I was a juvenile, and is a shame that people still try to punish you when you are so young but they do. Having a record is not an automatic ban for taking NClex, I can tell you that it is very nerve wracking in school though being unsure if you are going to be allowed to take it, each situation is different which is why they will not tell you yes or no until you apply. Don't let the negative people stop you, you will find a lot of people that feel you don't "deserve" to become a all mighty nurse with a record but you have to brush them off and just know that you are a changed person!

My advice is go to a 2 year ADN program and not a 4 year school, so you will know sooner and potentially "waste" less time if you are denied a license. Hire a license defense lawyer, mine cost 3000. Hire a lawyer at the start of or before your last semester, because there is alot of paper work to get ready when applying. Go the extra mile in school, and get as many reference letters as possible from instructors.

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I have a criminal record as well, so I called my state's department of regulatory agencies. You can find the number online and speak directly to a nursing board representative. I was told by the representative that as long as I can provide documentation proving that I have been rehabilitated since the incident, the nursing board will look at that rather than focusing on the charge. Of course my charges are different than yours.

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I have a criminal record as well, so I called my state's department of regulatory agencies. You can find the number online and speak directly to a nursing board representative. I was told by the representative that as long as I can provide documentation proving that I have been rehabilitated since the incident, the nursing board will look at that rather than focusing on the charge. Of course my charges are different than yours. Also, try getting your CNA first. The state has to approve your license. Once approved, and you go before the board again to get your RN license, they will only look to see if you reoffended. That is what the representative told me.

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With a criminal record you will not be eligible to sit for the NCLEX anywhere in the US. Probably not even be able to even get accepted into a nursing program as it has been mentioned all school run a background check prior starting.

Having a criminal record does not absolutely keep you from sitting for the NCLEX or getting into nursing school. Many factors are involved. it depends on the infraction, when it happened, and what you did to change that behavior. I wrote to my BON about a charge and they literally said, "No worries ;)". No kidding. They included a winky face as though it was silly of me to ask in the first place. Please do not scare people!

OP, please email your state nursing board. They cannot say a firm Yes/No often, but they can point you in the right direction. If it would make you more comfortable, send it from an anonymous email. Get informed from the source instead of random internet people.

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With a criminal record you will not be eligible to sit for the NCLEX anywhere in the US. Probably not even be able to even get accepted into a nursing program as it has been mentioned all school run a background check prior starting.

Unless you are speaking from personal experience, adoRNo2015, I will have to argue this. Various Boards of Nursing handle each situation on a case-by-case basis. The head of the Board of Nursing came to my school to give a lecture and I asked her about my situation (misdemeanor brought down to a violation), and she told me that she knows people who have gotten licenses with a felony.

The main issue is whether the OP can pass his background checks, as many clinical sites need these. Also, the SON may require one as well. I believe the OP should call the school administration and ask them frankly whether his situation will impede him from getting into school, and then a license in the long run.

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