Az record and disclosment issues!

[hellonurse222]

I am in Yuma County, in Arizona

When I was 15 I was a very gullible idiot and was arrested at school with illegal narcotics that a 'friend' had asked me to hold. To say the least, I was convicted of a felony. As a first offender and a spotless previous record holder, the judge was lenient. The problem is, I am now 24 years old and I am finishing school for nursing but when I go to take my boards, I need to disclose information on ANY 'crime'. This is not easy to bypass such as "Convicted of a felony" which I technically wasn't. The other problem is to apply at the hospital they will do an extensive beackground search, and I do not want to lie on the application. I am very unclear as to what a sealed record means. It can be reopened, and they will know that is exists, only not what specifically it contains, but they can see that a record DOES exist. My mother says after probation my offense was changed to a misdemeanor and I should not claim anything, yet it is still a CRIME. I would like any advice anyone could give me concerning these issues! It will sure help me to sleep better these next few months.