I have been working as a home health aide for two years and have been finishing my pre-req's before starting the RN program. I have had several background checks (one to be a health aide, two for appications into nursing programs and 1 for the CNA program) and have a clear fingerprint card. I took the CNA classes and passed the state exam. When I was filling out the application it asked if I had ever been convicted for a felony or and undesignated offense.  I answered the question "no". I assumed I was answering truthfully. However, 11 years ago I got a DUI in California (I am in Arizona now) -- it was a first offense and a misdemeanor charge (it's also a misdemeanor in Arizona). I eventually took care of all of those legal ramifications and turned my life around. I haven't had any arrests or convictions since. Prior to the DUI, when I was a 15 year old juvenile (back in 1986) I ran away from an abusive home situation, ended up on the streets and fell into an even worse place. I ended up being gang-raped and put out on the street to prostitute for the woman I lived with and she introduced me to heroin. I did it for about 3 months and was luckily arrested and sent to court-ordered rehab and some MUCH needed counseling. The charge they arrested me with was "solicitation" (also, a misdemeanor offense), and the charges were later dropped from what I remember. I petitioned years later to have my juvenile record expunged. But I have never heard back from the courts and don't know if my juvenile record is sealed or not. So my next step is to order my FBI report and see what comes up for that I guess. I don't have a problem being honest with the board (though my childhood offenses are incredibly shameful, not that the DUI is better -- just more common). However, their wording specified felony/undesignated offenses -- and if I don't need to bring up embarrassing misdemeanors, I'd rather not.

All of that said, when I went to check the status of my CNA license, they informed me that due to a "positive criminal history" an investigation will need to be performed prior to issuing my license.

Does anyone know how these things usually turn out? I've been working so long toward this goal of becoming a nurse and now I"m afraid I won't get the chance. And if they do give my CNA license, will they put a mark on my record for not disclosing those charges? If anyone has had to deal with this I would appreciate hearing how their experience turned out.

Thanks, Teresa. I asked the nursing board what showed up,but they say they cannot reveal that directly to me. I believe they have to get subpoenas to see the arrest records, etc. They did say I'm entitled to see the report directly from the FBI (if I order it myself). So I'll be doing that this week. It just means a few MORE dollars and more fingerprints. But at this point I have put so much time, effort and money in -- that a few more isn't going to make a huge difference.  I have had background checks performed, but those were for school and employers and I think those charges didn't show up because they are more than 10 years old and misdemeanors. Evidently the FBI will post everything and it shows up.

I'd like to think that even if both counts are listed on my report, they won't hold it against me. But I've read some scary stuff on boards like this about the various BON's and their virtually unlimited power -- so it makes me nervous. Im sure they will consider the length of time since both incidents. But even if they issue my license I'm worried the board will put a complaint on it when employers and/or nursing schools go to look at my verification. It seems the BON here can do anything they want and it can have disastrous consequences --- even if the applicant has paid their dues, learned from their mistakes and moved on. I'll keep you posted...hopefully with GOOD news