Nursing Career with Felony Background?

Question

Is it possible for someone with a felony (possession of meth) 7 years ago (clean and sober 6 years now) to pursue a career in nursing? My girlfriend currently works at an inpatient drug and alcohol center but wants to go back to school to become an LPN. Will future employers hold her past against her and can she even enroll in classes with a felony in her background? We live in TN.

starla you would be amazed at how many people who work in the health care field who suffer from addiction. my gf has gotten clean and changed her life and now wants to accellerate her education. theres no room for prude ignorant comments from someone who has no idea what recovery is such as yourself. take your predjudice elsewhere.

lynn of glen allen - lots of the residential technicians at treatment centers are recovering addicts themselves.

Answer 1

Probably not possible. Most states require licensing for LPN's and sometimes a felony conviction would preclude that person from this profession.

That is not to say that she couldn't work in some capacity in the nursing/medical field.

For a more definite answer, contact your State Medical Licensing Bureau.

Thanks for being such a good person to seek information for her and good luck to your friend.

Answer 2

I think your friend will be hard pressed to find a job as a LPN with a prior conviction for posession of meth. That's great that she has been able to sober up, but the sad fact is many states usually have laws against people with drug convictions working in areas that would giv them access to narcotics. Your friend, if she is truly serious about pursuing this field may want to talk to a lawyer or others in the field and see what they recommend.

I would conclude that if your friend has a felony record, that she more than likely spent time in prison as a result of her posession charge. If that's the case her chances decrease even more.

Not to put down your friends accomplishment of sobering up, however, she should have thought about the long term potential consequences that a drug charge would have, but as they say hindsight is 20/20. Best of luck to her.

Answer 3

As an RN with years of experience (now retired) your friend is going to have a lot of blocks in her way to achieving a career in nursing. It is imperative that she admit to her felony because if she does not she will be found out. All agencies, especially in the medical realm, do extensive checks on applicants now whether they are going to be a cleaning person, security guard, medical provider etc. Yes, a nursing program will hold it against her. This is a serious matter. I am a bit surprised that she is able to work in a drug and alcohol center. Perhaps you will get more encouraging advice from others here. I just know from experience, having interviewed people seeking employment in a medical field, that she is going to have a lot of difficulty, at least presently.

Answer 4

Ask your friend to check out this site. http://www.etsu.edu/reg/cat-ugrad2000/coll-nurs.pdf

This is the best answer to your question. I feel sorry for your friend but according to the University of Tennessee's blog, your friend may be denied employment as a nurse even if she has a misdemeanor on her record. Anyone who gives illegal drugs to a person is a murderer. They kill the person's life, career, dreams and those of everyone who ever cared about them.

Answer 5

Before I would invest any time and money into this venture, I would find out from a nursing counselor about the drawbacks of your criminal record.

Answer 6

not in texas, felonies are no joke, it will ruin your life.

Answer 7

I don't know, but I certainly wouldn't want her anywhere near me or anyone in my family.