Please help - I will be graduating from an ADN program in May of this year (2009) and am putting together my Declaratory Order for the Board of Nursing here in Texas so that I will be allowed to take the NCLEX once I graduate without any issues from my background check. There's nothing bad, just some hard times about 10 years ago where I had a few bad checks (

I sent mine into the Texas BON in October 2008... Graduated in December 2008 and I am still waiting to hear from them... as well as the very nice hospital that hired me and is allowing me to complete my non-patient care training classes while "we" wait.

As of today, it has been 4 months without a word from them and my issues are from 15 years ago.

I SAY... SEND THIS TO THE BON ASAP.

Thanks for responding...my classmates sent theirs in December and have already gotten a response...maybe you should call them...Toni

Wow, I sent mine in in June, heard something back about two weeks later, and graduated in December. I had written a bad check, but the charges were dropped once I paid the money back and took a check writing class (it was about 16 years ago). Four months is a long time. I think I would be following up every day to see what was going on.

this is to whom ever has to submit a declaratory order to the board in texas, be sure to disclose everything even the littlest of details even if it was dropped or dismissed or restitution made, etc., if fail to disclose everything the board will come back at you and say that you failed to disclosed everything and deny or request more money and more information which will take longer to process. i had a guy in my class who did not disclose something that happened 10 years previously that was dismissed. you wouldnt think that it wouldnt matter because it was dismissed but the board came back and said he failed to disclose information.

Interesting.....

I know that application for FL asks about CONVICTIONS. If it is dismissed, then you weren't convicted so that wouldn't apply. Does TX ask for all Charges regardless of outcome? (BTW, I think that is unconstitutional. TX BON would be treating innocent people the same as those with convictions!)

I don't think the OP should worry too much. I did a search on BON (FL) misdemeanor convictions.... to see if their were any minutes on the web that would indicate their potential response to bad checks... Well, nothing for FL, but I read pages from TX and couldn't believe the kind of convictions people had and were allowed licensure!!!!

i am serious about reporting everything, even if you dont think it is important. each state is different but it is better to declare a traffic ticket that was adjudicated, etc than not to. in texas when they do background check everything shows up even stuff that was dismissed, adjudicated, etc and they will accuse you of falsely declaring. i think it is better to list everything than not to, just to be on the safe side. just because the application or declaratory doesnt ask for something, doesnt mean that it wont be questioned..

I am curious how this ended for you? I also have a past with several bad checks, nothing within the last 6 years, all were paid, I submitted my declatory order, and then heard back that I needed to send an extra 150 for a more detailed investigation. What does that mean?

Thanks everybody:D:yeah: for your comment and suggestion.

The Worst That Could Happen To You! EVERYONE PLEASE READ IF FILING DECLATORY ORDER IN TEXAS THIS IS NOT TO SCARE YOU BUT TO INFORM YOU!!!!!

First let me tell you what I know for sure. #1. If filing a declatory order in TEXAS make sure YOU report everything!!! This is a FBI check and although you might have sealed your records the FBI can see them. That's all I'm going to say about that! #2. The Board's job is to protect the public, so don't think they will be impressed with your fancy words and vocabulary. Some of their concerns revolve around: how have you changed, have you learned from your mistakes, doubting your character, if the things you did are habit forming, and basically can you be trusted to care for the public. If your application is up for review with the enforcement dept. and you have several charges you may want to start praying and saving some money now:uhoh3:. Which leads to #3. The worst that can happen is that you could state your case in front of the board personally, they may request you to take a polygraph and/or be interviewed by a forensic psychiatrist, in which all fees are your responsibility. They are definitely not to be taken lightly! As I read the quarterly newsletter I am amazed at the number of nurses both LVN and RN licenses that have been revoked, surrendered, suspended, or placed on probation. If you had to do the above stated things to get your license I think you would protect it. Also, just FYI after doing all of this the board will still have to contemplate on their decision and they could still deny you to sit for NCLEX. You could get a lawyer and fight it if you have the money because remember you have already invested over nearly $2,000 and haven't got the approval:crying2:. Oh, you will not be working under your GVN/GRN until they have approved your application to test. The outcome of getting a lawyer makes it easier and if they say yes there will be stipulation under your new license. You will be under monitoring with the boards up to two years or more depending on what they order, have to attend counseling, take a jurisprudence, ethics class, can only be employed at one job at a time, and your employer may have to submit quarterly assessments to the boards regarding your work ethics. All these things are at the applicant's expense! Not to mention how long it may take for them to give you the final say so. This whole process could take up to nearly a year or more/less. My outcome was wonderful but it was by the GOD's grace and mercy, prayer, money, perseverance, good support from family, friends, instructors, and co-workers that I was given the approval to sit for the nclex-pn and I passed the boards the 1st time! This is not to scare you but to let you know what can happen. No one told me about these things so I'm sharing it with you. There weren't any felonies only misdemeanors. No one can judge anyone because at the end we will all be judged no matter if you got caught or whether you was lucky to get away. Remember, being a nurse comes with many responsibilities and many people have respect for us. This is not the only outcome; each person's case is reviewed by their situation, the age at the time of the crime, how many times, and those things listed under the NPA 217.11 Unprofessional Conduct and those things that may question your moral turpitude. Hope this helps!

I have a question...I submitted my declaratory packet about a month and a half ago. I called to BON today and they said a letter has been mailed saying that it had been sent to the enforcement department for review and I would have to pay the $150.00 fee. I have a felony charge of possession with intent to distribute meth from four years ago. It was the only time I have ever been in trouble and I went to jail for 6 months. I was released from probation early and was granted a first offenders pardon. Can anyone tell me if they know anything about what my chances are of getting approved? I'm doing all this just so I can apply for clinicals in the Spring.

hey, I don't know if I can help you at all, but I certainly know what you are going through. Luckily for me, I knew it would take a while and I wanted to be able to take care of any extra expenses or classes that they would make me take. I graduated in May with my RN. I submitted all of my information to the board the summer before. I did not hear anything after the initial letter to send the extra 150.00 with in the first couple of weeks. I finally got my "verdict" in february. So it was about 8 months. I had a relatively minor set of circumstances all about 10 years old and all misdemeanors with bad checks. I hope this helps give you a better timeframe idea.

Now, I know you probably read a ton of "I thinks, and you should...." But, I can tell you with 100% certainty that the reason the process takes so long is because when your file is forwarded to the enforcement department they review your circumstances and make their "recommendations." Then it stops until the actual board members meet and they finalize the recommendations at their meetings. The reason this takes so long is because the board only meets quarterly...meaning every 3 months. So, they meet in january, april, august, and december. So, once the enforcement department recommends liscensure and stipulations, it must be presented to the board at the next meeting. It sucks....I had a classmate submit his stuff in april and we graduated in may. He did not get approval to test until the end of august. I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck. I had to take a 6 hour class on ethics. All of those months of stress and heartache for a 6 hour class....ridiculous!

Thanks for your response. I'm just nervous because it was a felony drug charge. I just got mixed in with the wrong crowd in college and made a bad choice. I got charged with intent to distribute but I only had a small amount and I live in a crooked little town. I don't want to live with that mistake the rest of my life. I'm going to send in the 150.00 and pray that I get in. Thanks again.