Is there a way you can check your own records so that you can see what an employer might see?

On employment applications.  If they find out you are lying that can be used grounds to terminate you. You can go to those pay sites and they probably will have the record on online. Or you can check the state where the misdemeanor was committed. I know it can be a catch-22. I know a provider who because a provider because she could not get a job after a DUI. She fought the cops and got a felony. She is not opening up her own business.

sites on  the internet who will run a check for a criminal record, they cost 25 to 40 dollars usually, if you run one on your self you will find out if the misdemeanor is on file, if it shows up there if will probably show up on the usual screenings of employers, the fingerprint file is one step beyond and may or may not show you as some of these searches are restricted to felonies, others for federal employment are more inclusive. Let us know what happens.

expunged after a certain time with no additional violations.  In some cases the state law allows the person to lawfully answer no to the convictions question.  Some rights can even be restored.  I do not know if the person has to answer yes if the question is arrests.  

It's probably too late for N_S to deal with this now.