I am always surprised by the number of the nursing students or graduate nurses with criminal convictions who apply for licensure without giving a second thought to the outcome of the application or serious of the matter even after being contacted by the Board in regards to a hearing, investigative meeting, or appearance with Board Members or Board staff because of the criminal convictions.
Some of the explanations provided to the Board are half-truths and conflict with the facts in the police report. Also what you were CHARGED WITH is important not just what you pled to at some point. Cases are pled down for a variety of reasons and usually its not because the State can't meet its burden of proof.
I will tell you that I am glad and happy to see someone turn their life around after an unfortunate event or a series of unfortunate events. But keep in mind the role of the State Nursing Board is to protect the public and criminal convictions are heavily scrutinized by some State Nursing Boards and some have questioned whether this is fair and necessary. See http://nurseattorney.blogspot.com/2007/08/more-nurses-in-trouble-with-nursing.html
There may also be a pattern of criminal convictions, two or three clusters of convictions 10 years ago then two convictions three years ago. If you have a criminal conviction(s) and you are seeking initial licensure with a State Nursing Board you should speak with an attorney in your state or jurisdiction before you submit your application for initial licensure.
Okay you may say, "she tells everyone to talk to an attorney" and yes I do.
* If a physician has a legal issue or is summoned to appear before the State Medical Board, do you think the physician appears without legal counsel?
* Do you think a dentist would appear with legal counsel before the State Dental Board?
Of course not so why is it as nurses we tend to marginalize and minimize the legal and regulatory issues in our nursing practice? Your license is your livelihood and its your money maker. Compare the cost of one-time attorney representation to the amount of money you stand to earn as a RN or LPN in your decades of nursing practice.
I had a nurse tell me yesterday "if the Board had told me I could have an attorney appear with me before the Board, I would have hired an attorney." Really? You are appearing before a state licensing board which is a regulatory agency of the state and you need "someone" to tell you that you to consult with an attorney?
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