Which states are most lenient with criminal charges?

[LeslieRNFL]

So to make my very long story short one: i've been an ER nurse for four years. Last year I was charged with possession and credit card fraud and fired from my job. I was very lucky to get another job even after they placed an emergency restriction on my license that I could not pass narcotics or have access to financial information. This is just an emergency restriction and the final outcome has not been decided though. But my understanding is that in Florida if you are convicted of a felony drug possession under statute 893, you will not be able to renew your license and regardless in Florida. My healthcare attorney told me Florida is one of the most strict states. I am considering applying to another state before the final orders are passed down. So my question is twofold.

1) should I even bother applying to other states prior to the resolution here in Florida?

2) which states are most likely to grant me a license, even if it's with restrictions?

As far as the criminal side of it, i've been placed on probation and adjudication will be withheld when I complete the program.

[elkpark]

This is purely anecdotal info, but I've heard several times over the years that Oklahoma is lenient with healthcare professionals, and will license people that no other state will. I have no idea to what extent that may or may not be true.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

This is purely anecdotal info, but I've heard several times over the years that Oklahoma is lenient with healthcare professionals, and will license people that no other state will. I have no idea to what extent that may or may not be true.

Haha. I am in a pretty lenient state (KS) and the folks who struggle with the BON and KNAP huff and puff about moving to OK where they will be able to work without all the restrictions. So there must be some truth to it.

[xdrowe]

This is purely anecdotal info, but I've heard several times over the years that Oklahoma is lenient with healthcare professionals, and will license people that no other state will. I have no idea to what extent that may or may not be true.

I am considering moving there to be in a nursing program there. I have a misdemeanor (simple assault) and many states throw that in with Felonious assault/battery. Waved my finger in someones face during an argument over 7 years ago when I was 19 and still paying for it.

[scully4174]

New York is also. And not sure about other states by they did pass the remove the box on applications in order to give ppl with convictions a chance. Also best place is to look up cases the state board has looked at and ruled upon. I think you would be very surprised at who are given license to practice. B ppl who say felons can't be nurses really have no idea of the charges ppl are being given a chance with the board. Go to the board website and look the info up. Good luck

[Brittytberk]

So LONG story short. I grew up with an abusive mother who did the best she could with what she had (an unknown mental illness with several diagnoses and a substance abuse problem). Unfortunately, I took on some of her characteristics (the substance abuse). Basically what happened could have been straight out of a bad lifetime movie. (for the record I take full responsibility for ALL of my actions and blame no one but myself) As an adult of 26 years my mother and I were drinking together and sharing prescription medicines eg. Xanax and suboxone. Rewind one year I had received my first felony for stealing her car and she pressed charges to the fullest extent. She had a restraining order put against me. Fast forward to the year of which I’m speaking and my mother and I reconciled. I left my toxic marriage and moved in with her after her lifting the restraining order and changing my registered address on probation to hers. As in I could be in violation if I WASNT at that address. I’ll get to the point... neither my mother nor myself are violent people until alcohol gets involved. (at this point I had been the recipient of her alcohol induced violence numerous times in my childhood and adulthood) The “incident” is still very blurry to this day because I was in a severe blackout. I’m still not sure why but my mother and I had a terrible fight or I attacked her (still not actually sure 7 years later and it’s worth mentioning I probably could have been on the show Snapped as well..maybe I watch too much tv)she pressed charges to the fullest extent and I got charged w a home invasion (on MY REGISTERED ADDRESS ON PROBATION) and battery by strangulation!!! Sounds TERRIBLE, was terrible. Now I look like a monster to anyone who doesn’t know me. I’ve been sober now for over 7 years. Did I mention I went to prison for 5 years? Well I did and it changed my life. I want to be a nurse SO BADLY. I know I would be a good one for so many reasons. Just to see I called the Florida board of nursing and told her my whole story. At my sheer amazement she said I would actually still have a chance as they go by a case by case basis. The pessimist in me and my lack of self esteem from the decisions I’ve made make me feel this is just too good to be true. I have felt my life was over in many aspects after that dreadful day. If you were able to make it through my long, trying to work, and do a million other things at once story I would love any type of feedback! Constructive criticism, realism, just plain ol facts are all welcome!