In the state of Illinois, nurses are governed by the Illinois Department of Public Health – and there are some crimes that make you ineligible to work as a nurse. Here’s what you need to know about working as a nurse in Illinois if you’re convicted of a crime.
Can You Work as a Nurse in Illinois if You’re Convicted of a Crime?
Traffic tickets and minor crimes are often not a big deal when you want to be a nurse in Illinois. However, healthcare workers may not be convicted of certain crimes; in some cases, they must obtain waivers to work in healthcare, and in others, they’re permanently ineligible.
Related: What’s an aggravated DUI?
Convictions That Prevent You From Working as a Nurse in Illinois
If you’ve been convicted of any of the following crimes, you are not eligible to work as a nurse in Illinois. However, you may be able to seal the crimes and then work in healthcare. These are the convictions that make you ineligible to work as a nurse:
- Aggravated stalking
- Armed violence
- Arson
- Assault
- Battery
- Burglary (including residential burglary)
- Cannabis or controlled substance offenses
- Child abduction
- Criminal drug conspiracy
- Criminal trespass to a residence
- Cruelty to children
- Domestic battery
- Endangering the life or health of a child
- Forcible detention
- Forgery
- Home invasion
- Manufacture, delivery or possession with intent
- Methamphetamine violations
- Practicing nursing without a license
- Receiving, selling or using a stolen credit card
- Reckless discharge of a firearm
- Retail theft
- Robbery
- Tampering with food, drugs or cosmetics
- Theft
- Unlawful restraint
- Unlawful use of a weapon
- Vehicular hijacking
If you’re a healthcare worker accused of any of these crimes, you should talk to an attorney immediately. If you’re convicted, you may be barred from working in healthcare – and that means you could lose your job and have to find an entirely new line of work. Although there’s no guarantee on how a judge will rule (or if you’ll be convicted or found not guilty), your attorney can help you get the best possible outcome in your case.
Do You Need to Talk to an Attorney?
If you’ve been accused of a crime, we may be able to help you – and don’t worry: It’s completely confidential. Call us at 847-920-4540 or fill out the form below to schedule your free, private consultation with an experienced and skilled Chicago criminal defense attorney now.
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