Is nursing such a high demand field that if you have conviction you might still be able to become a nurse?

I read that nursing is one of the top in demand shortage Fields. if you have some misdemeanor charges can will you be able to become a nurse because they really need nurses? Is that the same with teaching?|||Every state reviews a person's criminal records during a criminal background check before granting a license as a nurse. Each state board of nursing will make individual decisions and it will be based on each person's records. All nurses must submit fingerprint cards (in most states) for initial licensure, and in most if not all states for re-licensure (on request) for the background check. You will also be asked to report any convictions (other than traffic violations) misdemeanors or felonies on the applications. If you have any convictions, all pertinent paperwork related to the proceedings and penalties must be submitted.





If you have multiple misdemeanor convictions, rather than a single conviction, your chances of getting a license are lower. If you have felony convictions your chances are also lower than a single misdemeanor.





Also understand, that even if one state grants you a license, it does not mean that another state will grant a license if you chose to move in the future.





If you are thinking about trying nursing school and have convictions, it would be in your best interest to discuss these issues with your state's board of nursing, before starting school.





I cannot speak to the rules and regulations regarding teachers.





EDIT: Violent crimes, and sexual crimes are not the only significant issues involved in nursing from a criminal risk issue as has been suggested.





Remember, being a nurse is an occupation where patients, physicians, coworkers and health care facilities. place their trust in you. They trust nurses to gather and inventory a patient's valuables when they are brought to the hospital in emergency situations, including their valuables, so a history of thefts could be a problem. Nurses are responsible for medications including controlled substances and at times alcoholic beverages (in some situations) so drug and alcohol convictions could be a problem. And nurses are responsible for a patient's personal medical, and a significant amount of financial and identification information, so any fraud could be a problem. In addition to the direct crimes which can be commited by a person, the health care facilities also need to be cautious about their legal liability if the crime happens to a patient while in their facility. Health care professionals and health care organizations face billions of dollars in potential liability issues, they don't need a civil suit in addition to what ever criminal prosecution might occur if a nurse were to perform a criminal act.





This is not to say that any person who has a record of a misdemeanor or even a felony will again, just that the state boards, and the health care employers do background checks to protect against it. I have had criminal background checks performed for one-day per diem jobs in clinics. With the advent of computer and centralized criminal background check services, many facilities perform background checks prior to employing nurses, just as they perform pre-employment urine drug and alcohol screens.|||While nursing is in demand, part of the reason is that the nursing schools aren't turning out graduates to meet the demand. This means that once you get out of nursing school you may be able to find a job easily depending on the area, but getting into nursing school still can be a challenge. They turn away qualified applicants, and there are generally wait lists. It is also very demanding schooling, if you are thinking of going into it just because its in demand and you think you may get a job easily, you may be in for more time and effort than you think.





I am not sure about what is required for licensing and for being hired. It may depend on what kind of misdemeanor. It may also depend on the place that you want to work at. For example, a children hospital may be more strict than a prison.|||It depends on what state you live in. But most of them are very similar.


I live in Kentucky, and if you have misdemeanors like shoplifting, a bad driving record, things like that are fine.


Things they look for are Abuse, Neglect, Endangering the welfare, any type of violent crime.


This is because in the nursing field, your are around people, who in some cases cannot defend themselves.


Also, if you have lots of drug charges. Because also in the nursing field you are of course around medications of all sorts.