wanting to be a nurse but have a skeleton in my closet

[mortonj]

I am twenty four years old and a mother to two wonderful daughters. I have recently decided to go back to school to become a nurse to help my fellow peers. Five years ago I got into some trouble for fighting and received third degree misdemeanor assault charge. That was my first and only offence. I am terribly sorry for my mistake in which I have to live with it seems for the rest of my life. I know I was in the wrong and I admit my mistake before God and the world. Now I am wanting to make something of myself through nursing I was recently told that I will not be able to sit for the nursing exam, because of that misdemeanor. I live in the state of Missouri and I also tried to get into nursing school and since I have that charge on my record I am not able to attend nursing school period. What am I to do? I have always believed in our constitution, but it seems as though our country has strayed from the constitution that our forefathers had made for all of us to live by. "Great is the dignity of those who are struggling for peace and justice"...."Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice will be satisfied, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". ‎"'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other."

I have learned alot from that mistake more than anyone will ever know. I learned to keep my hands to myself and to only use my strength to help others. I have rehabiltated myself the best I know how to. I learned to do right in this world by thinking before I act. I also learned a valuable lesson that I am grateful for and that lesson is all actions have consequences know matter if they are good or evil. What I did that day was completely out of line. I should not of taken things into my own hands. I will never make that mistake again. I just wish that someone out there will give another chance at life to prove how much I have changed for the better. Has anyone else had this problem? If so what did you do? Thanks everyone!!

[mandyc]

i am sorry that you are going through a difficult time. i commend you on wanting to pursue a career to better yourself and your family. i am not sure regarding assault charges, but i believe they feel pretty strongly on the subject. from what i understand they are looking at criminal situation/offense to determine if the event will or can be relevant to your career path...(.i.e.: if you were caught stealing money from a past employer, you probably wouldn't get hired as a cashier, wouldn't be granted a mortgage broker license if you had charges for falsifying documents....ect.)....anyway, with that said, violence or "loosing" your temper and "responding" aggressively could be looked at as something that could come about in your nursing career.it is, i am sure, a thought on the board of nursing's collective mind....they might look at it more as a "character" issue, rather than an event/mistake you made. it is not to say they will deny you a chance. the only reason i know somewhat about the issue is because i had a friend that went through it with with another state board of nursing, except, she was never charged, because they believed it was in self defense...but, the arrest is still on her record, just that the charges were dismissed...she has to go through that with every employer and even when she got her license. the board of nursing gave her the whole "character" comment. i am not giving any legal advice, or telling you how to proceed...but it is a similar situation (without the actual charges). if they are giving you an absolute "no" answer, that maybe what the determination is, and not much can change that. being young and making mistakes can have such consequences on the rest of our lives.

[caliotter3]

Try consulting with an attorney to see if you can take steps to have this removed from your record. The worst that can happen is that you are unsuccessful. Then, look at what steps you can take to become a nurse through appealing to the Board. Worse that can happen there is the same. Good luck.