If you have ever been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors, you may be ineligible to receive a nursing license. Best thing to do is book an appointment with a lawyer that specializes in professional competency or agency (government agency) law for some advice regarding the conviction and its impact on your ability to get a license.
Drug and assault related offenses are carefully scrutinized.
Become a nurse if convicted of a felony?
Contact_your states board of registered nursing .It is important to find this information out before you put a lot of time & hard work into nursing school.
Even if your long record is for minor crimes, a “long list” doesn’t speak well about you and they might not want to take the risk (Hospitals are very sensitive areas so they want to reduce the risk of any safety problem).
Can you become a registered nurse if you have a misdemeanor criminal record?
You can, but it won’t be as easy. It will also depend on the charge. An employer might hire someone who had a minor charge in their youth, but not someone convicted of battery, distribution, etc.
Employers or potential employers can get information about your criminal record from a credit report, the state police and/or from a record check on a national level.
In most cases, the employer must first get your permission in writing.
In general, the employer can find out about:Arrests during the last seven years, and Any convictions (no matter when it occurred).
Criminal background checks are required for the following jobs: Nurse and Nurse’s aide (CNA, Nursing Assistant)
To be a nurse or nurse’s aide, you must state on your job application whether you have ever been convicted of a felony, cruelty to persons, assault of a victim 60 years or older, or have been subject to disciplinary action by the licensing agency of any state. It is a class A misdemeanor to make a false written statement on your job application regarding a prior criminal conviction or disciplinary action.
Disqualifying Convictions in Accordance with the Health Care Worker Background Check Act
California Board of Registered Nursing: All Licensed Nurses Submit Fingerprints
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A felony drug conviction will NOT prevent licensure in every state. Get your facts straight. Depending on the individual case, at least two states (Iowa and Texas) may grant licensure. Also, if a crime is expunged, Texas BON does not require disclosure.
I was convicted of a drug felony when I was 18. It was an eye opener. I graduated from college with a bachelors in finance, but even with a high GPA and awards, companies would not hire me because of one mistake. I had to go back to school to change my major. Now I’m in optometry school and recently found out that after I graduate, the state might turn down my license application due to a felony conviction. This is truly frustrating when it comes to finding something you want to do.
Will a Battery and assault charge and conviction prevent a nursing degree. I have one year left to complete my RN nursing. Also will the licensing boards check my medical records in regards to an addiction of opiates. How about rehab? Will they check that? I have not entered rehab but is considering. What is the best approach?
Where do you get a background check that sends people out to interview past aquaintances? Is this just how the Feds do it?
hi i have on felony from like 2000 i think and i have not had any trouble will that stop me from being a cna here in florida ….. if so does anyone have any idea what i can do to fix it would a letter of my councler help ????
many states hire nurses with convicted felonies–I know Florida does!! They will put you in a special program–according to the offense!!
I am a convicted felon and I am attending college now about to finish my AA and graduate with honors. I was recently turned down when trying to apply for occupational therapy program at school because my crime was within the last 10 years I was convicted in 2005. Not sure what to major in after the AA.