Navigating your way to a career in the medical field is not easy. You may have spent late nights studying for exams and long hours working in a medical institute. But, you are finally here about to get your nursing license in the state of Georgia.
When applying for a nursing license or getting your old one renewed, you might face some trouble if the background check doesn’t show up clean.
The Georgia Board of Nursing has many policies for anyone who wants to become a licensed or registered nurse. If you’re facing criminal charges or have gone through a conviction, you should reach out to a nursing license defense lawyer. If you try to handle everything yourself, things might get messy.
Regardless, let’s take a look at how different crimes can affect your ability to work as a nurse in Georgia legally.
Moral Turpitude Crimes
The Board of Nursing can reject your application for a license if you have been convicted of a moral turpitude crime. Also, they can revoke your existing nursing license.
What are moral turpitude crimes? While the Board doesn’t define moral turpitude, the courts in Georgia or the Nurse’s legal handbook can help.
The handbook defines it as deceit, fraud, intentional violence, vileness, or dishonestly to an incredibly high degree. The Georgian courts put everything contrary to honesty, justice, or good morals under it.
Violating the Controlled Substances Act
If you’re arrested and convicted for a drug charge, you might be in serious trouble with the Board.
With misdemeanor crimes, you will have to submit to a medical or physical examination. If you’re applying for a license or already have one, you have already consented to submit to these exams. Fortunately, you can get away if the diagnosis is clear.
With a felony drug conviction, your license may be suspended or revoked.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
A DUI is not good for your nursing license, especially if you enrolled in a program less than 12 months ago. It shows to the Board that you may have an abuse problem or cannot control yourself. As a result, it shows you may not be fit to perform a nurse’s duties properly.
With one or more DUI convictions, it would be a good idea to get a lawyer. The Board can impose many penalties on you, and those are in addition to the ones imposed by the court.
Criminal Convictions
A criminal conviction includes being sentenced under the state’s First Offender Act. It can also include a case where you plead no contest or nolo contendere.
However, the Board considers various factors when determining what to do about your felony convictions. These are:
- Whether or not the conviction that took place was recent or happened before you got into nursing.
- Whether or not violence was involved in those crimes.
- Whether or not any boundary violations were involved. These could include sexual or predatory crimes, along with theft or forgery.
- Whether or not the crime was severe.
- Whether or not the crime involving controlled substances.
