The real game is they want you to disclose the information, and it’s supposed to match what they turn up themselves. Any mismatch will get you a proctologic exam, which will err towards refusing licensure.
I had a similar issue with a security clearance, where I did not disclose a mortgage default. I thought it was settled outside the time frame for the required disclosure, plus I ended up paying off the mortgage via property sale, so in my mind I had not defaulted. I talked twice with an investigator to clear that up, which was settled in my favor.
My understanding [we have to do something similar to get bartender’s licenses where I work, though not as thorough] is that they ask you to submit your list first because if there’s anything on there that’s going to be a deal breaker the board isn’t going to waste their time or money on the background search. I suppose if you leave something off and it’s shown you did it on purpose it might say something about your integrity as well.
Also, I’m going to guess that before Monkey With a Gun even started Nursing school he/she and all the other students where given a list of convictions and basically told not to even bother if they had one of these convictions on their record.
ETA, looking at my local tech school’s handbook, you have to have a background check to even start their nursing program.
You have to do it because it is their ballgame and if you want to play, you play by their rules. You can rage against the machine but at the end of the day if you want to be a nurse, doctor, lawyer, bartender, or any number of licensed professions this is what you do.
Monkey, don’t stress so much. Lawyers go through the same thing, and what the state bar is looking for is not so much that we had issues in the past but that we disclose them. Major items you will remember well enough to call the county clerk for were they happened and get the exact details. Minor items, traffic tickets and such, get as close as you can.
Most counties, some rural ones still use clay tablets, but most counties in the U.S. will have their records online. You can search for traffic tickets and other offenses in your name. If something does not show up, its gone.
Whatever you do, don’t bother with trying to get a professional background check run yourself. Your licensing agency will do that. They will compare it with what you disclosed. They may want to ask you some questions. Lawyers have to have a fitness interview after their background checks are done. Usually takes about five minutes if the interviewing lawyer is chatty.
You have enough to worry about learning your new profession, this is not a problem. Disclose what you can reasonably track down. If there is more, tell them and let them know you can’t remember the details. I bet you a hundred bucks that yours is not the worst that they see this year and let pass.
Unless there is a warrant for your arrest, you should go to the police station and pay a fee for a background check.
Have you lived outside of your current state much? there are state websites which criminal records can be checked. you might only need to enter your full name and date of birth to find out - each state website is a little different.
Hah! Very true. When I was doing the character-and-fitness thing, I had a fun conversation with an old boss who had fired me. I richly deserved it, but he was a good sort, and really didn’t want to “get me in trouble” on my bar app. I explained that it was perfectly fine to be honest, and just tell the bar I’d been fired for being a shitty employee; they just wanted to know I hadn’t been fired for embezzlement or something like that.