I am a looking into being a RN and I have had 3 felonies. The felonies are 21 yrs old and I have not had any trouble since. Should I try to apply for nursing school? I am 46 and the crimes were when I was 20.
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This is a comment I received over the weekend on this blog. I don't know what state you live in or where you plan to practice but I would suggest (this is just information, not legal stuff or legal advice) the following:
1. Spend a few hundred dollars for an appt. either by phone or in-person with a nurse license defense attorney and RN-JD to further discuss your situation.
2. You want to discuss your entry into nursing school, your suitability for initial licensure as a RN, and your employability with an attorney who knows about nursing.
3. DO NOT rely on what others tell you and what you see online. You need to speak with a nursing law attorney and have the attorney review your criminal convictions, details of your probation, and discuss the specifics of your case with you.
4. There is NO point in going to nursing school if its questionable whether you will obtain a license and/or if healthcare employers won't hire you because of your criminal convictions. What's the use of having a nursing license if you can't find employment? What's the use of going to nursing school, spending several bands (a band is a thousand dollars) on books, supplies, and notebooks, and racking up student loan debt if your chances of obtaining licensure in a particular state (where you live or plan to live) are slim to none?
There used to be a time when counselors in prisons, social workers, guidance counselors, drug and alcohol therapists, probation and parole officers, and others encouraged individuals with criminal convictions to attending nursing school. Why? 2 years of education (Associate degree or diploma) and you have entry into an occupation/profession with excellent employment prospects, good pay, and flexible hours.
This may have been a nice gesture 15-25 years ago and a good opportunity but times have changed.
State Nursing Boards and healthcare employers review criminal convictions differently depending on your state or jurisdiction. If you are willing to assume these risks without speaking with an attorney (which is what the majority of nursing students and NCLEX-Applicants do by the way) then apply for nursing school and move forward. However I would suggest you gather your court documents and schedule an appt. with an attorney before your invest the time, money, and energy into applying to nursing school.
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