How can i do the job i want to do with a criminal conviction?

[alibalibee1]

I am a registered nurse who went through a tough time a number of years ago and developed a drug addiction. I also have a drug conviction. I have been clean for almost 4 years now and am eager to help others in a similar position. I live in Scotland but any job working with vulnerable people requires an enhanced disclosure, that includes applying for counselling courses. Can anyone please advise me on what I can do? You would think that I would be an ideal person to work in this field, what with my professional and personal experience? Please help!

[bednobs]

i'm very surprised the NMC let you stay on the register with a drug conviction. Are you still working as a nurse now? If so theyy must know about your conviction and be okay with it. If you are not workingas a nurse now, how are you keeping your registration up?
Just having this on your crb dosen't necessarily mean the employer has to turn you down,

[mike11111]

A number of people who work with the vulnerable and in counselling are reformed criminals or drug addicts. The fact that enhanced disclosure is required should not necessarily bar you from employment; it's what you say in your application that counts.

[alibalibee1]

I wasnt struck off as I wasnt actually working at the time of the conviction and my nursing care was never affected. I would love to do a refresher course and return to nursing but finding somewhere willing to give me a placement will be almost impossible where I live. Peolple are very judgemental and narrow minded.

[bednobs]

well then you are not a registered nurse are you? so ignore my answer.

[boxtops]

If your PIN's not current then you cannot call yourself a registered nurse, you will probably need to undertake a Return to Practice course at your local university, if there is one. The alternative would be to work as a care assistant or support worker - you would have to work within the boundaries of a support worker job description, not undertaking registered nursing duties, but that might well be a possibility to look at. Why don't you look at the website for your local mental health trust (health & social care trust in England) and see if they have any vacancies that you could apply for?

[tillyh345]

No advice Im afraid, but just wanted to say Well Done and hope u get something sorted out, Im sure you would be a wonderful support for a lot of people out there, lets hope someone recognises this in you x

[alibalibee1]

Thankyou! I am just so frustrated at the moment as there are home care jobs everywhere but i feel the enhanced disclosure will fail me. As i said before, where i come from, Moray in Scotland, people arent so willing to give you a second chance.
Sorry i shouldnt have referred to myself as a registered nurse, but i am qualified and eager to do my return to practise. But for the same reasons, i will be hard pushed to find someone willing to give me a placement.

[bednobs]

have you actually tried? If you tell the interview people what has happened and ask them to give you a chance, then they wont be surprised when the crb check comes through

[milly143]

I agree with Bednobs. Apply for the jobs and inform the people of your history before they do the CRB so there are no surprises for them. You never know, they may get a really good impression from you and the CRB will just be a piece of paper filed away. And if you have one bad experience then don't let it put you off, just keep trying.

[jaydah]

There's a real shortage of care nurses, just apply am sure you'll find a position soon. Your convictions are nowt to MPs robbing tax-payers monies for their luxury lifestyles.

Hold your head up & go for it. good luck !