Can you have misdemeanors and be a nurse

I had a great question regarding problems with prior issues with the law, and how that may affect the chances of becoming a nurse. Here is the question:. I am so excited about becoming a Registered Nurse RN. Is it possible for the board of nurses or any programs to reject me of class c misdemeanors from 5 yrs ago? Hello Laura! We all make mistakes, and sometimes our past behavior can affect us in the future.

The only concern you may have is the actual licensing and employment. So what may be classified as a type C in one state, may not be so in another state. So please keep in mind that whatever offense you may have committed, it may vary in terms of how it is recorded against you from state to state.

First, an order of non-disclosure allows you to say you to disregard criminal matters where you successfully completed deferred adjudication. Once you receive an order of non-disclosure, you legally do not have to put the crime on your application.

To see if you are eligible for a certificate of non-disclosure, please visit www. It should be noted that the criminal matters that led to your order of non-disclosure could still be used against you in the character and fitness portion of the process, but only if they lead to questions of character.

If you were just arrested, but never convicted in Texas, your arrest could still be used against you when applying for a nursing license under Rule You can expunge an arrest from your record. Once this is done, you will not have to disclose it on your application. To see if you are eligible for expungment, take our free eligibility test or call us at As you can see, obtaining a nursing license in Texas after having a criminal record is definitely possible.

While your crime will typically be considered as a factor in your application, things you have done since the conviction will also weigh into their evaluation. Texas also allows the Board to view some convictions as youthful indiscretions and offers tools to clear your criminal record.

Also visit our free expungement and record clearing information page. Our attorneys are highly rated with 4. Testimonials do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. Any result portrayed on this website was dependent on the facts of that case, and the results may differ if based on different facts. See More Reviews. Prior to the amendment, student nurse applicants with misdemeanor or felony convictions were required to disclose that conviction to the BRN.

You still have to do that. A student RN was required to provide court documents and supporting documentation.

The student nurse was required to explain the circumstances of the arrest and conviction. Same now. So what the heck did the amendment do exactly?!?!?!