Criminal past threatening my future..

[5StoneDown]

Ok,

long time lurker, first time poster here.

I want to study nursing and have been thinking about it for a good few years. I am reasonably intelligent, have excellent GCSEs, A levels need some improvement, but could be sorted out.

However, I have a criminal record. I was stealing from my employer aged 18, was caught and rightly convicted. I received a 12 month conditional discharge and I repaid the full amount of the theft and court costs. (about £700)

Clean record since then, sorely regret doing it, but it is done.

My question, should I be allowed to do it or not, as I understand all students with anything showing on CRB check are taken to a panel who will decide. But even if I were allowed to study would I be able to obtain employment?

Any advice/opinions or information gladly accepted as I know it is something I would come up against forever if I did choose this path.

Also, btw I'm 25 now just so you know how long has passed since the incident.

I don't think this would necessarily bar you from nursing. I work IN HR in social care and the key thing is to be open about the past - never try to hide it, and be able to show your clean record ever since. Employers will take the time since it happened into account when deciding whetgher to employ you.

However I suggest you try to speak to someone in HR in the NHS to find out their policy in this area. If you know you'll want a job in your current area, you couod try to contact an HR manager in the loacl hospital and ask for advice?

Good luck.

A friend is training to be a doctor (in his 40s). He has a conviction for burglary dating from his early 20s. He had to go before a panel before admission to medical school to discuss the conviction but was offered a place. He's had to go through it again with his GMC registration now he has qualified. I would imagine the process is similar for nurses.