What do they see when they do background checks???

[shopgurl]

My sister and I are applying for the BSN program here in Southern Cali. My sister has a conviction on her record of a Class A misdemeanor (for stupid shoplifting as a college prank) and this conviction occurred in December 2006 (we are applying for entry to the August 2007 BSN program).

Question is: Since the conviction was LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO, the misdemeanor will definitely affect her clinical placement at hospitals during the program. If she gets accepted into the program with me, do you think she should go forward with the courses or is it likely that halfway into the program, she will be UNCLEARED from background checks (at hospitals) to complete the BSN program?

I would love to do this program with my sister but we are unsure what to do. PLEASE HELP! ANY advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

hello, shopgurl and welcome to allnurses.com

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?
  
• is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a dui or other related charges?
  
• what happens if you are charged or convicted of a crime after licensure?
  
• can i go to nursing school and/or be licensed if my record has been sealed or expunged?

these are questions that the members of allnurses.com cannot answer. 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

your sister must clear this with the nursing program. yes, many clinical areas (hospitals, etc.) will not allow a student if they have criminal background. so, check with the nursing program as well as the state bon.

good luck.