What do u think about a student with battery charges?

LesMonsterRN, ADN, RN · Mar 16, 2010

I'm sure each situation is individual but my gut reaction is that a student with that background would have a tough road ahead of them.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 16, 2010

Charges or convictions? That might make a differences for some emplyers.

I work for a children's hospital. Anyone with a history of violent behavior is screened out. We might allow them to do a student rotation under the supervision of the faculty, but maybe not ... it would depend on the particulars of the situation.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Mar 16, 2010

I was charged with battery and it was removed once the "victim" admitted it was all a lie in the first place. It was tough explaining it through school since we both were in the same program. My instructors didnt care and I know have signed a contract with the local hospital for once I graduate. Each case is different though.

mammac5 · Mar 16, 2010

Does your school require a background check? If so, I would assume that they already have procedures in place to follow in case of an unfavorable background check.

Charges (in my mind) don't count. Convictions count. You might check with the state in which the student is attending school and/or ultimately wishes to be licensed in. Tennessee, for instance, will not license someone with certain past criminal convictions but I think each state varies.

Krwats01 · Mar 16, 2010

If this is a conviction charge, you may have to get special permission from your state board of nursing before you can receive your RN license. Your nursing school should be aware of your background check and advise you accordingly.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 16, 2010

Moved to the nursing with criminal history forum

Each state will have their own policy on how something is dealt and will be done on an individual basis therefore very hard to predict how things will be done

chinadollie · Mar 16, 2010

well i mean im done with school and all that but i just applied to take the nclex and i have a misdemeanor of battery how do i know if it is a charge or conviction?? i also reported to the bon 2 othere misdemeanors i have petit theft and disruption of something i forgot.. so now im waiting on the approval to test for the nclex... do i have a chance? what do u think?

wrldwatchn2 · Mar 17, 2010

Hello chinadollie,

Don't give up! Find out from the BON and NCLEX what it is that you need to do. You have worked too hard to go through nursing school and you shouldn't give that up lightly. You should also consider contacting an attorney who can advice you, or, give you some sort of direction. I agree with LLG, you may experience difficulty finding some jobs that your background could be considered substancially related to the job critera. But, with that being said, there are many areas of nursing to explore (that don't involve direct care). So become proactive and find out what hoops you have to go through!

The best of luck to you!

mammac5 · Mar 17, 2010

Call me confused, but how do you not know if you have been charged with a crime OR if you've been convicted? Did you go to court and have a judge rule on your case? At any rate, it sounds like you have at least 3 misdemeanors on your record so you will have to wait for the BON in your state to inform you whether you can be a licensed nurse in that state. That being the case, it doesn't much matter what any of us thinks.

chinadollie · Mar 18, 2010

well i asked for opinions because i dont know how all this works and i needed advice i am going crazy waiting to be approved.. i dont know the difference between charge and convicted, i went to court and plead guilty then i got probation for six months,, i was 16 now im 20

mammac5 · Mar 19, 2010

Going to court and pleading guilty, then being sentenced to probation means you were indeed convicted and have a criminal record. You should be able to access the board of nursing website in your state to see what restrictions they place on candidates for licensure.

Best of luck!