Felon wants a career in health care

New law makes it easier for felons to get

Illinois health care licenses

I just stumbled upon your blog and I think its a really great thing you have here. I have some convictions from back when I was a teenager. Three drug charges, which were all at the same time, one of which is a felony. And also I simple larceny charge. I got caught steeling glow sticks at the grocery store when I was 18. All my mistakes I made when I was a teenager haunt my everyday now that I'm an adult. Recently I moved to Florida from Michigan. And I'm finding it very hard to find a job here. I was interested in possibly working in the medical field, however, every time I go to apply for one they seem very strict about having a criminal background.

I know that anything is possible when I comes to being motivated. Do you think I'm wasting my time with the medical field? Sometimes I feel like I'm getting nowhere. I spent over 300 dollars on a Certified Nursing Assistant prep class and now I'm about to take my CNA test, that is if the state allows me to after they check me out. I'm preparing myself for a big let down even though I feel I've learned a lot and gained much out the experience. If they don't allow me to take the test should I take a different direction other than the medical field? After I quit drugs and everything 6 years ago I went back to school got my diploma and then continued on to college. I felt like I could do anything that I set my mind to. My dream is to be an art teacher. However, I keep getting people telling me I cant do things because of my past. I have even had people tell me not to go to college because I'm wasting my time. What do you think about that? Am I going to be making minimum wage for the rest of my life even if I'm lucky enough to get hired at that?!

Thank you so much for your support and effort into doing this sort of blog and research. It helps to know that I'm not alone and there are other professional people in my same situation.

Jeffrey

Felon wants a career in health care

Hello Jeffrey,

I have worked with ex-offenders and felons who have jobs in the health care field here in the state of New Jersey. I suggest you contact can contact the medical licensing board in Florida. They will be able to advise you of licensing restrictions relating to your conviction. For more information, obtain the Florida Nurse Practice Act and Rules of the Board of Nursing, you can contact them at this number: 850-488-0595

Also don't give your dream of being an art teacher. Too many ex-offenders and felons believe having a criminal record eliminates them from good jobs. Considering your background, you may not be eligible to teach in public schools but there are other options. Community colleges adult learning annexes, private and charter schools are great places to start. They usually have fewer regulatory restrictions than public school systems.

I hope this helps.

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