Nursing is a job with very high demand everywhere in the world. To be a nurse, you must have been passionate enough to study in that line. However, we sometimes go on paths that we may not be proud of, and afterward, we want to get our life on track.
So, you are a nurse or enthusiastic about becoming one but have perpetrated a felony? You might have a few riffs with the State Board of Nursing.
Although crimes differ, not all felons face the same scrutiny; however, your legal history will be looked into for a nursing job or any job at all.
We’ll have to take this step by step in understanding “why nursing” and what type of felony cases are more severe.
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Why Nursing?
Working in the medical line has its advantages to working in the medical field, especially as a nurse. There are many aspects to delve into. It could be young children, adults, or older people.
For children, you get a chance to work in the pediatric department NICU and labor and delivery.
There’s a satisfaction that comes with seeing children grow and seeing people get better in general due to kindness. Same with if you prefer to work with older people. It is a noble profession indeed.
It is also highly flexible and allows you days off if you’re in the right office. The pay is also quite good, especially if you’re a nurse practitioner or specialist.
Asides from these, there is also a shortage of nurses currently, so just being one and proferring solutions will make you a valued and respected person.
Can you be a nurse with a felony?
Having seen how beneficial nursing is, let’s talk felony. The deal is you have to go through a series of steps depending on the felony committed.
If the crime is violent, it would be a lot tougher to be accepted in a clinic, and the nursing license is an even bigger deal.
This is because as a nurse, you’re going to contact young children, the aged, pregnant women, and other coworkers, and if you have a history of violence, it won’t sit well with anybody.
However, that’s not the end for you, and you don’t need to say bye-bye to the nursing dreams yet. It’s all about processes.
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So if you’re able to complete your sentence and parole (if involved in your conviction), you’re able to wait five years later. I don’t see this as a negative but a plus as the possibility is still there.
On the contrary, you will still be investigated if it is not a violent crime. We mean murder, endangerment of a child, assault, and all of such cases by violent crimes.
You’ll be checked for lawsuits ranging from misconduct regarding deception to fraud, prescribing and possession of an illegal substance, and DUI and DWI convictions.
All these will be looked into, a background check, and an evaluation of your character.
The FBI would be involved upon assessment alongside the hiring manager for close examination to see how long ago the incident happened, how old you were when it happened, and possibly it happened again.
All these are protocols to be followed to ensure the safety of patients. When all signals clear, nursing, here you come!
Can a felon become a nurse
Whether or not a felon can become a nurse depends on various factors. In the US, it’s possible, but it depends on things like the seriousness of the felony, the rules in the state where they want to work, and the policies of the nursing licensing board there.
Having a felony conviction doesn’t automatically disqualify someone from becoming a nurse, but certain types of felonies, especially violent crimes or drug offenses, might make it harder. Each state’s nursing board has its own rules for who they’ll give a license to, and they usually do background checks when people apply.
Sometimes, people with felony convictions might need to show more stuff, like proof that they’ve changed their ways or letters from people who know them well, to prove they’re good enough to be a nurse. If someone has a felony but wants to be a nurse, it’s important for them to look into what the rules are in their state and maybe talk to a lawyer or someone at the nursing board to get help.
To Apply
“Honesty is the best policy,” we often say, and that’s right and true. Throughout this entire process, please keep it as honest as possible.
All the information will be in your file anyway, so you might as well be upfront with it. Don’t let it hold you back as well.
Ensure you have completed all of your sentence time before applying. Even if your time isn’t over, there are options for applying, but that will be through rigorous research. Just wait till you’re done with it all.
It’s also very beneficial if you have proof that you have genuinely changed. It could be through volunteering in schools, churches, or community service.
You can even get recommendation letters from law enforcement agents and prosecutors. It does a long way in helping you secure that future you are looking at.
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Conclusion
Your dream is a noble and commendable one. So, yes, you can be a nurse with a felony. You’ll be your only limit if you don’t try.
It will take time, and there will be rejections, so brace yourself. Since you’ve decided to change yourself and your situation for the better, others will feel it too.