The Ohio Board of Nursing Renewal Application changed this year!
This year, the LPN renewal application asks whether you have been convicted, found guilty, pled guilty to, pled no contest to, etc. of a felony or misdemeanor in Ohio, another state, commonwealth, territory, province, or country.
Nurses in Ohio now have to report ALL criminal convictions, felony or misdemeanor to the Ohio Board of Nursing on the renewal application. This includes DUI/DWI. This also include crimes that have been expunged if the crime has a direct and substantial relationship to nursing practice.
In the past (for example, the 2007 RN Renewal Application) the questions asked about crimes of moral turtitude, gross immorality, gross negligence, etc. In the past DUIs were excluded.
Criminal convictions (felony or misdemeanor) have a ripple effect for licensed healthcare professionals. Not only is it the criminal case, then its the licensure matter, then its employment issues (especially in Ohio with Senate Bill 38 and Senate Bill 160) see http://www.nursing.ohio.gov/pdfs/OHCRC.pdf, then the licensure action is reported to the Healthcare Integrity & Protection Data Bank.
I had a client contact me this week and say how much longer will I be beat over the head for a DUI conviction. The client is a nurse.
In Kentucky, nurses are required to report misdemeanor and felony convictions to the Kentucky Board of Nursing within 30 days of the conviction, plea, etc. However nurses do not have to report expunged or sealed convictions to the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Should nurses and nursing students be required to report all criminal convictions to the Board of Nursing? What's your opinion?
get a life donna, the bible sais do not judge, you dont know what other people have been through or the circumstances that caused the arrest. I did just what you said and hid my keys in a bush and went to sleep in car, cops came by and said since I was behind the wheel I was gettin a dui, you sound like someone who just hates alcohol
Posted by: Brian Johnson | September 23, 2010 at 04:30 AM
I agree with you, however State licensing Boards may not see it this way because the Boards exist to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Maybe the State legislatures will step in and afford citizens with criminal convictions more rights and less scrutiny with State-based licensure application and renewal issues.
Posted by: latonia | July 22, 2009 at 09:40 AM
I feel that first time felonies based on the crime and minor misdeamoners should have a second chance at oppertunities like these. We all make mistakes but how can you change when society doesnt give you a chance and judge you off of something that may have happen when you were younger. everyone with a criminal record is not a bad person most are but not all... Try accepting those who are working hard for a second chance at becoming successful in life...
Posted by: Some One Who Cares | July 22, 2009 at 09:13 AM
I believe that any health care person or law officer who drinks and drives is too CARE LESS to care for anyone. Get a cab or put you keys far from your car and go to sleep until there is no chance that you will kill someone.
Posted by: Donna Phillips | June 27, 2008 at 12:32 PM