Do you have big dreams of pursuing a career within the healthcare field as a nurse?
As we’re sure you might agree, opting to go down the route of becoming a nurse is one of the most noble and fulfilling careers out there, but is it possible to become a nurse with a felony or misdemeanor record?
In this guide, we are going to be taking a deep dive look into whether or not you can become a nurse with a felony or similar type of misdemeanor.
We will cover everything you need to know about becoming a registered nurse while having a record, while also sharing with you some additional tips to help ensure you can pursue your dream of becoming a nurse.
Just keep reading to find out more!
Can You Be A Nurse With A Felony?
Now, for all the all-important questions: Is it possible to become a nurse with a felony (see also ‘How To Find Out If A Nurse Is Under Investigation‘)?
Regardless of whether you have felony or a similar type of misdemeanor, the good news is that – in most cases – it is indeed possible to enter the healthcare field as a nurse with a criminal record of some kind.
However, there are some important things to keep in mind when it comes to becoming a nurse as someone with a felony or misdemeanor.
For starters, it is important to keep in mind that the requirements and rules for becoming a nurse (or entering the healthcare profession in general) will vary depending on the severity of the offense, how much time has passed since completing the sentence as well as which state you currently reside in.
For example, if you happen to live in Texas, you will need to be able to prove that there has been at least a 5 year gap between the time you wish to apply for a nursing license and the completion of your sentence.
On the other hand, if you happen to live in Arizona, your application (see also ‘What To Wear To A Nursing Interview‘) will need to be highly scrutinized by The Arizona State Board of Nursing to ensure you’re a good fit.
That being said, if you have plans to become a nurse, we strongly encourage you to do some research into what the rules and requirements are for becoming a nurse with a felony in your state.
Like we have already briefly touched upon above, these rules and requirements can often vary greatly from state to state, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with what they are going to be in the state you live in, or plan to begin practicing in.
Top Tips For Becoming A Nurse With A Felony
Even though the requirements for becoming a nurse can vary from state to state, it is highly likely that the Nursing Board in your state will need to carry out a background check just to ensure that you are a good fit for becoming a nurse/healthcare professional.
That being said, the good news is that there are a variety of different things that you will be able to do in order to boost your chances of passing the background check that you will get when applying to become a nurse within your state with a felony/criminal background.
Here are just a few ways that you can help to increase your chances of becoming a nurse:
- The first way that you can help to boost your chances of becoming a nurse with a felony or misdemeanor is to demonstrate to the board that you have learned from past mistakes and become a valuable member of society. Perhaps you like to help out at charitable organizations, or maybe there is something productive that you do to help others. These sorts of things can help to show the board that you are a changed person and a good candidate for nursing.
- Keep in mind, if the charges against you have either been dismissed by court or did not result in a conviction – then there is a chance that you might be able to get your arrest records removed from your criminal history. This will then allow you to pursue a career in nursing via the normal method.
- Along with being able to get arrest records removed from your criminal history record, you might also be able to get conviction records expunged from your criminal history record, too. We recommend that you look into this, as this would help to clear up obstacles blocking you from pursuing your dream of becoming a nurse.
The Bottom Line: You Can Become A Nurse With A Felony
There we have it, you have made it to the end of our article. All in all, if you have the desire to become a nurse and you happen to have a felony record or a similar type of misdemeanor, the good news is that – in most cases – it is indeed possible for past felons to turn over a new lead and pursue a career as a nurse.
Just to sum up everything that we have talked you through above, it is indeed possible to become a nurse even after getting a felony charge.
As we have already mentioned above, in most cases, the law will allow you to become a nurse, so long as you are able to meet the relevant requirements.
Depending on which state you currently reside in as well as the severity of your offense, these requirements can vary and will likely be unique to you.
Along with this, it is also important to note that, for the most part, the law will allow felons to enter the healthcare service (such as to become a nurse) after they have either had their sentences expunged or a certain period of time has passed since the sentence was complete.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this guide, and we wish you the best of luck!