will this keep license out of reach

mistydave · Jul 14, 2007

I know this isn't much help. I live in Ohio, I am a first term nursing student. They did state and federal background checks on me before I was allowed to enter school. They told me if I had 1 arrest or anything I could not enter school. But of course I don't know if those same rules apply for being able to take boards. I thought it was hard for anyone with a felony to get a job, so I would say it wouldn't be any different if not more difficult being a nurse with so much patient contact- maybe I am wrong. I am sorry for your situation, I can tell you really care about her.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jul 14, 2007

convictions of assault will make it difficult to be hired in the future in any facility involving children and adults due to laws to protect the public. if she has been arrested, final outcome of case is what really determines her future.

she has certainly just jeopardized her chance of getting a nursing license. depending on state regs, most have language on license application such as pa: application for licensure by examination for practical nurse

5.have you ever been convicted* of any crime, felony or misdemeanor, and/or do you currently have any criminal charges pending
and unresolved, in any court?
yes no
have you ever been convicted* of any crime associated with alcohol or drugs in any court?
yes no
*conviction includes judgment, found guilty by a judge or jury, pleaded guilty or nolo contendere, received probation without verdict, disposition in lieu of trial, or ard.
have you ever withdrawn an application for a license, had an application for a license denied or refused, or agreed not to reapply for a license in any state, territory, possession or country? a license includes a registration or certification.
yes no

have you ever had your license suspended or revoked or otherwise been the subject of disciplinary action by any licensing authority in any state, territory, possession or country? yes no

if the answer to any question above is “yes”, please attach an explanation and documentation.

kudos to you for trying to be a steading influence on her life....definately needs your support now. sometimes living and learning lessons through life's hard knocks is only way they grow into mature responsible adults.

bon will perform thorough review since recent problem, might have application to take nclex delayed if filing application after this arrest. some boards permit graduates to take exam and if passed, place license on suspension for 1-2 yrs.

only bon in her state can determine final outcome. going for counceling might go long way in getting license approved.

see this thread: nursing licensure with a criminal history

llg, PhD, RN · Jul 14, 2007

No one here can tell you for sure what the BON will do. She'll have to deal directly with them to get a final answer. However, getting a license is not the same as getting a job. A lot of facilities would hold her record against her and not hire her. Her job options will be very limited.

ready4crna? · Jul 14, 2007

Forgive me, but what would be wrong with her NOT getting licensed to care for vulnerable populations? Given her proclivity for violence as a resolution for frustrating situations, would you let her take care of a combative alzheimer's pt? I realize she has had a tough time of it growing up, but maybe she needs to address those issues prior to taking care of other peoples loved ones. I am not saying she should never be granted the opportunity to sit for an NCLEX, but the fact she is not responsible enough to care for herself when her career depends on it (not to mention her kids) is argument enough to delay this opportunity.

This is the reason the BON will most likely take pause with her application for licensure. The BON of any state is there to protect the Public, not the nurse, and there should be ramifications for actions demonstrating risk to the public.

justme1972 · Jul 14, 2007

Remember, you can only help those that will help themselves.

I have a relative that every time she drinks she turns into a "nasty drunk"..otherwise, she is sweet as sugar without a mean streak in her. Knowing this...I have lost count on how many times she has been into fights, been arrested, to court, etc. She has a degree in Chemistry and can't even get a job b/c of her criminal record.

Your friend has issues that you can't fix: She cares more about herself than providing a living for her children...I only say that because when the stakes are high, you never put yourself in a situation where something bad could happen that could possibly damage your career.

I'm glad she went to school, I'm glad she is doing better...but the day she decided to attend school and put her past behind her...she should have vowed she was going to change her ENTIRE life.

There is a reason why some people keep having brushes with the law, and others don't. It's about choices.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jul 14, 2007

I live in MO, and am a RN, my niece is completing the last week of LPN school. I just wanted some info of those who have had or know of similar experiences. She has been in and out of spats with the law, but got all that cleared, and got the go ahead for licensing, with one week of school left, with graduation on 07-20-07. Thursday night she went out drinking, and got arrested. ( I Prayed she would make it through school, and now one week away......... She is a good kid, but has had 3 kids with never marrying, and has lived on state aid, with voc rehab paying her way through LPN school. Her mom kicked her out of the house before she was 18, and put her in state custody. I was the only one who tried to help her. Her mother takes no responsibility, though she has three children by three different fathers, and has been married over 6 times . ) I have heard two stories, the first that the father of her last child, called her while she was out, and asked her to come over, and when she got there she found him with a girl, that she had a fight with. The second, that she kicked in the door and had a major fight with this girl, biting her ,and taking a big bite out of her arm. This past afternoon, my sister(her mother) came by and she had not be sentenced. The girl works in LTC facility. My questions are, wouldn't charges of assault, and whatever else prevent her from working as a nurse. IT would be a felony. Also, in the state of MO, I believe anybody wth any kind of abuse, assault on their background , cannot work in LTC facility either. I don't know anybody who has had these problems.\I don't need anybody to judge or express personal opinions, as , obviously, I am ashamed of her behavior, but would like to know if anybody is aware of ramifications. Thanks for help.
In addition, I know of a girl who graduated from RN school last year, who had been a heroin addict, and she was honest about it and the board denied her request to take NCLEX, However, she got an attorney and he said that she completed the court ordered treatment program, so the board reconsidered, and let her have a license > IT seems like nothing really keeps somebody from licensing, the first time. Perhaps I am wrong, but the cases like this I have heard about always get to take NCLEX.
I was always afraid of a traffic ticket, guess that has changed over the years.

While I feel sorry for your niece, and applaud your wanting to help her, is there anything about this child that suggests she has any business in the helping professions dealing with difficult/vulnerable populations? I don't care how old or young one is or is not, being sick brings out the worst. Your niece has demonstrated that she is not capable of responsibility! She has had this education handed to her for free, and puts it at risk getting drunk enough in public to be arrested. As for the three children and never marrying, that suggests two things to me: a) not enough self control to use birth control and 2) apparently not quite enough concern about them to control her behavior in public!

Would you want her taking care of you? Or your child? Or your parent? What if you got crosswise with her, then what? Could you trust her to still be a good nurse?

I'm sorry to be so blunt, but if her behavior keeps her from being licensed, I think that is probably a good thing. There are plenty of nurses who managed to squeak through and a good number of them wind up being substandard nurses.

I don't think we are that desperate.

Again, I am sorry to be so blunt. But you are an RN, surely you can see the need for attention to professionalism and a sound sense of internal integrity. This poor girl doesn't seem to have much of that.

Perhaps you can steer her toward managed care. It pays well, the hours are predictable, she can use her knowledge constructively, and she will be less likely to hurt someone because of her personal weaknesses.

HM2VikingRN, RN · Jul 14, 2007

I don't think that being judgemental is going to help this girl.

She does have some real self esteem and attachment issues. I think that she needs some counselling but also needs to be held accountable for her actions. I think that she nees to see a lawyer. The DA may agree to a continuance pending dismissal providing that she pays a fine, completes a alcohol eval, complies with treatment recommendations and completes counseling for anger management.

The advantage to this approach is she in effect does probation but then ends up with the opportunity to clear her name after x amount of time.

purple1953reading · Jul 14, 2007

I have not felt that she should have pursued nursing school in the first place, but though perhaps she had things together at last, for making it all the way through, keeping grades up, and never missing class. She has worked at a LTC for a long time, and is one of those people who make a differenct to their patients, esp. those who are lonely, and sad. She really cares about those folks, and it is too bad, she can't care enough about herself to keep it together. My sister told me that the story was on the news last night ( I missed it) and that another fellow student went with her and they were both arrested and face felony assault charges, with $50 000 cash bond. Apparently, our county is trying to cut down on drugs and alcohol abuse problems.

I applaud her getting through school while being a single mom to three kids, but her choices are not always wise. Guess we'll have to see what comes down after she gets an attorney.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jul 14, 2007

I don't think that being judgemental is going to help this girl.
She does have some real self esteem and attachment issues. I think that she needs some counselling but also needs to be held accountable for her actions. I think that she nees to see a lawyer. The DA may agree to a continuance pending dismissal providing that she pays a fine, completes a alcohol eval, complies with treatment recommendations and completes counseling for anger management.
The advantage to this approach is she in effect does probation but then ends up with the opportunity to clear her name after x amount of time.

This is all very fine and good, and would be a wonderful thing for her to experience as it gives her another very good chance at living a responsible happy life.

The ideas you suggest are laudable, and might be a real option if she didn't already have such a long and unhappy record.

But her actions speak volumes about her suitability for nursing. This is not being judgmental, this is being realistic.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jul 14, 2007

I have not felt that she should have pursued nursing school in the first place, but though perhaps she had things together at last, for making it all the way through, keeping grades up, and never missing class. She has worked at a LTC for a long time, and is one of those people who make a differenct to their patients, esp. those who are lonely, and sad. She really cares about those folks, and it is too bad, she can't care enough about herself to keep it together. My sister told me that the story was on the news last night ( I missed it) and that another fellow student went with her and they were both arrested and face felony assault charges, with $50 000 cash bond. Apparently, our county is trying to cut down on drugs and alcohol abuse problems.
I applaud her getting through school while being a single mom to three kids, but her choices are not always wise. Guess we'll have to see what comes down after she gets an attorney.

Good luck to you all. It is not easy to watch someone you love do things that are going to hurt them. My hat is off to you--she needs someone in her corner.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2007

I used to live in Missouri and know personally of someone who got their license endorsed to Missiouri with a misdemeanor in their past although it did not involve substance abuse or any kind of fighting.

You're probably not going to like to hear this, but it sounds like you did all that you could to help your neice. In the end, she has to make choices for herself. It sounds like she still hasn't learned her lesson. It's hard to say what the state board will do, but one thing is for sure, she ought not hide this when she applies to take the NCLEX-PN. In the end, however it turns out, she has only herself to blame. You can take a horse to water, but you can't make them drink. In making their decision, I'm sure the people of your state who the board represents is going to be thinking, "do we want a person of this kind of behavior and ethics to be taking care of vulnerable patients?"