To whom It may concern,
I was hoping you could help answer a question. I am currently starting the fall prerequisite classes at the local community college.After this year of prerequisite classes I will then go on to do the two year nursing program. At graduation, I should then be prepared to take the NCLEX certification exam. I do have a problem however and I was hoping that you could help me understand the situation I am facing.
In april of last year 2002, I plead guilty to and was convicted of two charges, misdermeanor assault and misdermeanor menacing. In the winter of 2001was convicted of false imprisonment. Also a misdermeanor charge.
I am fully aware at how it will look on an employment application. To go through three years of schooling for a career that will offer no future is without question a very foolish path to take. My plans are to be employed as a travel nurse and get paid well for the oppurtunity to see new places. I have looked over quite a few on line employment applications, both for travel nursing agencies as well as those for actual hospitals. Many if not all of them have questions that pertain to the applicants legal record. More specifically, they all have questions that read something like this: “Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a misdermeanor traffic offense.” One could imagine how it would look when I put down my three convictions. I am really not as bad as the record would have me look! I started school while having the idea that I would join a travel nurse agency that only asked about felony charges but the more I think about it, It would seem that once I get to the actual hospital I am assinged to, I will have to fill out thier actual application.....
I have gotten different answers from different people on this subject. your opinion and direction would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again, My name is nathan,
You can reach me through the net at the following E mail adress,
hannah@teleport.com
Nursing is a very demanding profession. It can be extremely frustrating as well. Every nurse has a story about coworkers almost coming to blows and we cannot for get elder abuse. Nursing is a calling and a nurse needs to be a compassionate and patient person. There is no room for violence and if this is a tendency then please seek career counseling to find the place where you will be happy. Wishing you much luck as you find your way.
Nathan-
Before you go any further with you schooling, please check with the board of nursing for your state. Most have websites with contact information. Find out the requirements for licensure with relationship to convictions for various offenses. I wish you luck and hope things work well for you!! If you are going into nursing because "it pays well" and "there are a lot of jobs out there" please don't--It will be a waste of your time and energy. It is a rewarding profession/calling but not for everyone.
If you have problems finding the website for you State Board of Nursing feel free to go to my website: www.MedEdAmerica.com click on resources on the bar across the top the click on Boards of Nursing --The link you need is at the top of the page and will take you to a listing of contact information for all the Boards of Nursing.
God Bless and Take Care
yes from what i have seen most nursing courses say that you cant be signed up if you haev any criminal background at all?? But I dont know about oyurs, check
Nathan I agree with the advise everyone else has already offered, especially All41's assessment of the nursing profession and the need for you to have an even calm disposition to be a nurse.
One thought I would like to offer that may be worth checking on is this- if all of those charges resulted from one incident and you have never had any other troubles with the law you might consult an attorney to find out if there may be a possibility of going back to court & seeking to have your record expunged. I heard on Handle on the Law (a radio show) that that is possible in many cases.
Best of luck with whatever you decide to pursue
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