Nursing student - background check - HELP!

Hi everyone!

I just got accepted in the Nursing Program here in Philadelphia and I was very happy that I got in. I talked to the Head of the nursing program at my community college and she said that it is possible for me to be admitted to the program even if I do not have SSN. Unfortunately, I need to provide them with a background check, state police criminal check and child abuse clearance. I read from the previous posts that it is possible in California, I am just wondering if it is also possible in other states, like Philadelphia? If so, is it safe ?

Thank you.

Idk the answer to your question, I did not need a background check to get into the nursing program here in NY, hopefully someone comes around with more helpful information.

Congrats!!!! on getting into the program and good luck

I assume this is not a paying job so the background check shouldn't be so thorough as to go into your immigration status. Even then not all employers check.

Thank you Do you go to a community college in NY? if so, what school do you go to?

hey i was thinking getting into nursing too bad thing is i graduated in colorado so i would have to pay as a international or out of state student are you getting an in-sate tuition if not how much are you paying per credit ?

Yes I did go to a Community college I don't feel comfy posting it on this forum, btw I graduated 3 years ago.



I dont remember how much it was per credit myb around $120 a credit, no more than $1545 for full time. I was paying instate tuition. For outstate tuition is about $2500 for full time and international students is a bit more.

Hey bliss20! I'm a nursing student (graduate in 1 month!!!) And I have had to go through many Background checks (including the BIG one for licensure!) and my immigration status as NEVER been looked at...but I still kept freaking out LOL. Mainly it's just a criminal background check. Even though i have a SSN, I have a couple classmates that don't have one AT ALL... but they have their ITIN and they have been able to make it also (and are still able to graduate).

Hey i had a question..what about clinicals at hospitals? I'm sure you had to go though that during nursing school. Was that ever an issue at all? I am curious myself because I'll need to do clinicals during the summer at a hospital and i'm not sure if that would cause any problems. I do not have a ss#. I do have an ITIN # and i live in the state of NY.

First off, congratulations!
To answer your question, the background check is basically looking for any criminal records that you may have, and not immigration status so you are safe if you have not committed any crime that would raise a red flag. This is an assurance to the hospital where you are doing your clinical rotations.
I do remember doing the background check through online, but you need a social security for that. I don't know if you have one, but it would make things easier for you if you did.
If you don't have a social security it might be a little trouble for you, but I bet you can get through it.
If you have any question feel free to message me.
Good Luck!
Just a suggestion, buy an NCLEX review book so you can practice and have a summary of your reading before an exam. It will help a lot!

hey bliss...it will depend on the company that will be doing the background check. ask the dean of nursing to give you the contact info of the company and ask them yourself. if you DO have ssn, there shouldnt be any problems doing the background check. if you DO NOT have an ssn, the company might work with you and will give you a pseudo-ssn. that's what this one company did for me (i'm in tx).

just fyi, there might be some more things that they will need from you. in tx, we needed to have fingerprinting done which i had trouble getting. well just make sure to ask your dean EVERYTHING that you'll need right from the beginning so that you'll be prepared.

you're welcome to pm me if you have any questions =)