TX BON found a charge that CA didn't, I didn't know it existed!

[txrn2011]

I have a big problem, I am hoping someone out there that knows how the Texas BON works and deals with criminal charges. I am a fairly new grad in CA, passed my NCLEX and got my CA license with no problem. I have been offered a job in TX (after almost a year searching) and I am supposed to start mid June. My temp license will expire in mid July, and I received a letter from TX BON that my background check revealed an incident from 23 years ago (that CA didn't find)! I know of the incident but I did not know that I was charged because they let me go home with no court date, no paper work, nothing. What happened was that I crossed the Mexican border with my then husband who was not yet legal in the US and on the way back we were sent to customs, questioned separately and he was sent into Mexico and they let me leave. I was unaware that I was charged with anything, I was 20 years old and did not realize the trouble I could get into by crossing the border with him (what can I say I was young and naive). Anyways, I have started the process of getting the documentation of the incident that the BON wants, but it could take a very long time because there's almost 700 requests ahead of me I was told I could submit a letter and a copy of my marriage license and explain what happened and ask if they would possibly grant my license before I am able to submit the documentation, and I an wondering if anyone knows if it is at all feasible that they MAY grant my license before I am able to get the documentation to them, since I was married to him and it wasn't like I was smuggling aliens for money, I know its still a bad thing but it never crossed my mind that I had a charge so I never disclosed it. I am hoping that TX will be forgiving and understanding in this situation, but I have a feeling they may not be I need to make decisions very very soon like within the next week or two, has anyone had any such experience with TX BON where they gave a license in good faith that the person had no ill intentions in the past? I am a pretty good person, I always try to do the right thing in all situations and I feel that they see me as a liar and a criminal and I'm not!

[alexiscc]

Hope you get your license! I can't imagine how helping own husband to come into the US could relate to nursing duties, possibly, unless they're afraid you start smuggling illegal aliens using amublances... :)

[caliotter3]

Nothing is done in good faith only when it comes to nursing licenses. While this is pending I would look for work in CA if I were you. Once everything is straightened out, perhaps you can get another job offer in TX. Good luck.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

sounds like a few more hurdles to go though in order to work as rn.

texas is one of few states that will provide declaratory order (often used while in nursing programs and prior to nclex exam) and has info you need; other states do nothing until license request per state law regs.

tx: declaratory order application

best wishes moving forward.