Can I do clinicals with a misdemeanor?

Asked by: Jazmyne Rosenbaum  |  Last update: July 4, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (10 votes)

Clinical rotations This becomes a gray area because some institutions may accept students with a misdemeanor, while others will not. So even if you made it this far in nursing school, you might not be able to complete your clinical rotations.

Can you get into nursing school with a misdemeanor?

Having a misdemeanor on record doesn't automatically disqualify you from becoming a nurse in California, as the BRN is primarily concerned with charges that reflect your ability to responsibly serve as a nurse.

Will misdemeanor affect college admission?

The admissions committee will likely assess the nature and severity of the misdemeanor, its relevance to campus safety, and your behavior since the incident. While some colleges may view a person convicted of a misdemeanor as a minor issue, others might take a more stringent approach.

Do hospitals hire nurses with misdemeanors?

The California Board of Registered Nursing reviews criminal convictions on a case-by-case basis. However, sex offenses, violent crimes, failing to follow reporting requirements, and fraud may prevent a candidate from working as a nurse in the state.

Can you get a job in healthcare with a misdemeanor?

A misdemeanor conviction is not an absolute disqualifier for a job in the healthcare industry. However, it will be at the discretion of your employer as to whether they will hire you.

Can you be a Nurse with a Misdemeanor?

26 related questions found

What jobs will not hire you with a misdemeanor?

Committing theft, fraud, or dishonesty as a misdemeanor may make it hard to get a banking position. Having a misdemeanor drug offense could negatively affect your chances of landing a nursing job or a position in the medical field.

Will a misdemeanor affect medical school?

Felony or misdemeanor convictions may prevent some medical students from completing their experiential education requirements or obtaining licensure after graduation due to site or state restrictions.

What charges disqualify you from being a nurse?

Crimes that the Board of Registered Nursing considers to be related to the qualifications of a license include, but are not limited to; assaultive or abusive conduct; theft, dishonesty, fraud or deceit; drug related crimes; procuring a license by fraud, misrepresentation or mistake; and practicing medicine without a ...

What disqualifies you from taking the NCLEX?

If the candidate cannot provide one of the accepted forms of identification, they will not be allowed to take the test. Another way to be disqualified from NCLEX is by taking the test under a different name or for someone else.

What is an example of a misdemeanor in nursing?

Stealing drugs and other property is a fairly common nursing-related crime. Stealing can be a misdemeanor offense, meaning a less serious crime than a felony, depending on the jurisdiction and the value or quantity of the item stolen.

Does a misdemeanor look bad on your record?

In California, all misdemeanor criminal convictions can show on a background check for a time. A background check is when an employer screens someone's history. They can disclose several issues, such as their criminal history, criminal convictions, jail time, and credit reports.

Will a misdemeanor get you kicked out of college?

It is not only the universities that will be looking at your record, but many scholarships, financial aid, and even housing may turn you away if your criminal record is not to their liking. If you are already in college, then a misdemeanor or felony charge may even see you expelled.

What's the worst misdemeanor you can commit?

Among misdemeanors, Class A or Level One crimes are the most serious, incurring fines and jail time of up to one year in most states. Misdemeanors are crimes that are less serious than felonies, both in their commission and their punishment.

Do colleges care if you have a misdemeanor?

Misdemeanors and Graduate Schools

Like undergraduate schools, master's and doctoral programs will accept applicants with misdemeanor convictions. However, students with criminal histories may face barriers in completing internships, teaching hours or laboratory work.

What can stop me from being a nurse?

Nursing Program Disqualifying Factors

Major misdemeanor conviction for crimes involving weapons, violence, embezzlement, dishonesty, misappropriation, fraud or sex crimes. Any felony conviction. More than one drunk driving or related conviction in the past three years. Registered sex offender.

Can I be a CNA with a misdemeanor?

Whether a candidate can become a CNA with a misdemeanor depends on your organization's background check policy. Your organization may identify specific misdemeanor convictions that preclude employment.

Can you become a nurse practitioner with a misdemeanor?

In California, having a misdemeanor can affect your ability to obtain an RN (Registered Nurse) license, but it doesn't necessarily disqualify you automatically. The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) evaluates each application on a case-by-case basis.

What makes you fail NCLEX?

You can answer the first 69 questions correctly, but you will automatically fail the exam if you don't reach number 70. The other way to fail the exam is simply by not answering enough questions correctly within the allotted time or by not answering enough questions correctly out of the maximum amount of 135.

How far back does a nursing background check go?

We conduct background checks going back to 7 years. This is the limit which is normally required for such searches. However, depending on the needs of the clients, we can go even further back. We conduct licensing and sanction checks across state lines.

What charges disqualify you?

A conviction for a serious offense, such as fraud, theft, violence, or drug-related crimes, may raise questions about an individual's reliability, trustworthiness, and potential risks to the workplace (especially workplace safety), ultimately resulting in disqualification from the hiring process.

What kind of background check is done for nursing school?

These background checks typically include verification of education, licensure, and work experience, as well as a thorough examination of criminal records, sanctions, and disciplinary actions.

What are the most common charges brought against nurses?

Negligence, a type of malpractice, is the most common type of lawsuit against nurses. This happens when a nurse doesn't provide the level of care that is expected, which can harm the patient. These cases show how important nurses are to keeping patients safe.

Can you still work in healthcare with a misdemeanor?

Even relatively minor offenses, such as misdemeanor retail theft, will prevent would-be professionals from obtaining employment under the Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Do law schools care about misdemeanors?

As long as you're honest about it, and there are no other major concerns, a misdemeanor theft conviction will not prevent you from being admitted to law school or to the bar of your choosing.

Who gets rejected from medical school?

The most obvious reason for a medical school rejection is a low GPA or MCAT score. Either can hinder an applicant from making it past the first round in the admissions process, as many schools screen out applicants who don't meet a school's minimum cut-off.