Nursing and convictions

[HSlate2]

Thinking of applying for a nursing degree but I have convictions 2004 and 2006. Both relate to drink drive. Worried they may reject my uni application and nmc registration in 3 years after qualifying.

My life is different today - I have my own family and been in the same job the last 12 years.

Anyone out there that can advise many thanks

You can apply and must declare your convictions. They will then take them into consideration and probably ask you to provide an explanation about what happened. They then have to come to an overall decision about your application based on risk assessment of the convictions declared and the account you have provided.

Basically it shouldn’t stop you applying but you must declare the convictions and be prepared to give an account of why it happened and why you feel confident it won’t happen again.

Also to add to @RobinsReliant advice the panel should also take into account whether you’ll get registration when you need it.

You need to contact the admissions tutor for the course. They should be able to advise you if you’d be accepted onto the programme. Enough time has passed for you to evidence you’ve changed through references etc it’s really down to them giving you a chance

I know someone who got onto a nursing degree as a mature student who had convictions from her late teens- I think for alcohol related public disorder offences- she was able to prove she'd turned her life around matured, had kids was a good mum etc.

You can apply but you might be expected to before a panel to explain - the fact there's 2 might go against you?

As others have said, admit it on the forms, is include a brief break down and then go and speak to the panel.

I've known teachers to go through the same thing and all worked well where appropriate.

Yes declare at the very beginning, Youhave to when applying for the degree. I know someone who was accepted for radiography at 28 but had all sorts of offences as a youth, he was a changed man.

He’s now a great employee and much respected, he got a second chance and turned his life around.

You will be fine. It was years ago.

My sister has a criminal record GBH from years ago and she’s a nurse. She does have to declare it at every single interview which is a huge source of embarrassment for her. She always gets jobs though due to nursing shortages.

If you have two drink driving offences, surely you would have been sent to prison for the second one?

Hi, I am currently starting application for uni to complete nursing degree. Searching the internet for advice to quell my fear and anxiety of being rejected due to a conviction that happened well over 10 years ago, I stumbled across this comment. I immediately started to sob, just because I don’t feel so alone in my situation. Life is such, we are human, we make terrible mistakes and we often learn great life long lessons from it. Reading this has given me hope. Thank you.