Convicted felons and nursing

Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

Many of these abusers aren't convicted felons. That's how they pass the background checks and get jobs. There is no way the facility would know that these people are going to abuse their patients until the people get caught (if they get caught). Very sad.

rn/writer, RN · Jul 23, 2011

I know nothing about this place, but I do know that facilities that have a hard time keeping staff positions filled are sometimes not as scrupulous as they should be regarding background checks. The more desperate they are, the lower the standards drop. Sad, but true.

OhioCCRN, MSN, NP · Jul 23, 2011

I know nothing about this place, but I do know that facilities that have a hard time keeping staff positions filled are sometimes not as scrupulous as they should be regarding background checks. The more desperate they are, the lower the standards drop. Sad, but true.

Makes sense regarding how people fall through the cracks. Very sad!

EmergencyNrse · Jul 23, 2011

You people hear "felon" and only think murderers, thieves, child molester or other violent crimes...

Definition: A felony is a criminal offense for which a convicted person can be sentenced to serve one or more years in a state or federal prison, pay fines or both.

So the guideline is ANY crime that sentence is over 1 year. There are MANY crimes that hold jail sentences over a year.

How about removing a fire extinguisher? 3rd Degree Felony

Taking a Stop sign? 3rd Degree Felony

If you were 18 and had sex with your 17-yr old high school sweetheart?

Statutory Rape- Felony

DUI/DWI?

I illustrate this as an example that not all crimes should be disqualifying for medical positions nor does it give an indication that these people would be poor caregivers. Do not be so quick to judge people that might have a criminal record if you don't know what crimes they have been convicted.

Juwon · Jul 23, 2011

Many of these abusers aren't convicted felons. That's how they pass the background checks and get jobs. There is no way the facility would know that these people are going to abuse their patients until the people get caught (if they get caught). Very sad.

I agree completely with Mrs. SnowStormRN and EmergencyNrse ....., it depends on the nature of the crime. Not all people who are convicted felons are bad people. You never know the situation which led some people to become a felon in the first place.....besides, there are lots of healthcare workers who have had their record expunged/sealed and can also pass a background check, so to OP, does that make them a good person, when you clearly dont know if they have previously had a record or not. In summary, I believe it has to do with the nature of the crime and if the specific person is a repeated offender.

rn/writer, RN · Jul 23, 2011

Good points. Especially if a felony conviction took place before the person was, say, 25. People do dumb things without realizing the consequences. And, yes, there are many felonies which have nothing to do with either harming another person or violating a trust.

Still, facilities need to be looking into job candidates' histories and deciding who is a good risk, not just neglecting that part of the background check.

OhioCCRN, MSN, NP · Jul 23, 2011

I agree completely with Mrs. SnowStormRN and EmergencyNrse ....., it depends on the nature of the crime. Not all people who are convicted felons are bad people. You never know the situation which led some people to become a felon in the first place.....besides, there are lots of healthcare workers who have had their record expunged/sealed and can also pass a background check, so to OP, does tha make them a good person, when you clearly dont know if they have previously had a record or not. In summary, I believe it has to do with the nature of the crime and if the specific person is a repeated offender.

You people hear "felon" and only think murderers, thieves, child molester or other violent crimes...

Definition: A felony is a criminal offense for which a convicted person can be sentenced to serve one or more years in a state or federal prison, pay fines or both.

So the guideline is ANY crime that sentence is over 1 year. There are MANY crimes that hold jail sentences over a year.

How about removing a fire extinguisher? 3rd Degree Felony
Taking a Stop sign? 3rd Degree Felony
If you were 18 and had sex with your 17-yr old high school sweetheart?
Statutory Rape- Felony
DUI/DWI?

I illustrate this as an example that not all crimes should be disqualifying for medical positions nor does it give an indication that these people would be poor caregivers. Do not be so quick to judge people that might have a criminal record if you don't know what crimes they have been convicted.

Clearly, if you read through the Original post without bias, my issue is with convicted felons taking care of vulnerable members of society. It matters not (to me anyway) whether or not they are a good person or not (being a good person is relative..it is not well defined) what matters to me is that there are consequences to actions and if someone has already shown, to the point of being convicted, that they cannot follow a set of rules, then yes, i will say it, i DO NOT want them having free reign with my loved one in a nursing home. We all know that nursing homes get away with a lot r/t not being as strictly monitored as Acute care hospitals.

Juwon · Jul 23, 2011

Good points. Especially if a felony conviction took place before the person was, say, 25. People do dumb things without realizing the consequences. And, yes, there are many felonies which have nothing to do with either harming another person or violating a trust.
Still, facilities need to be looking into job candidates' histories and deciding who is a good risk, not just neglecting that part of the background check.

Exactly, at the LTC facility I work at one of the LPNs has been convicted of a felony, but she is one of the most dependable nurses there on nights. She works when others call off and before going to nights from days, she recieved praise from the owner as it is a somewhat small-private facility and from residents family members. So I don't think her background has anything to do with her work. If an older relative in my family needed care, I would completely trust her to care for my relative...OP don't be too judgmental. I see you are from Ohio and I have heard that they don't hire convicted felons into LTC facilities, so perhaps this have something to do with your thinking as well. God forbid if you were put in a situation in which you were convicted of a crime.

lady constance · Jul 23, 2011

interesting..... in my state, i am not sure you can take boards if you have a prior felony conviction.....andi have no idea what would happen should one be convicted of a felony....

used to be , years ago, a person had to be of high moral character to even go to nursing school and then sit for boards...

now adays, there would be major discussion on the definition of high moral character.....

i always remind my progeny not to do anything that might bar them from entering certain kinds of employment....

Juwon · Jul 23, 2011

interesting..... in my state, i am not sure you can take boards if you have a prior felony conviction.....andi have no idea what would happen should one be convicted of a felony....
used to be , years ago, a person had to be of high moral character to even go to nursing school and then sit for boards...
now adays, there would be major discussion on the definition of high moral character.....
i always remind my progeny not to do anything that might bar them from entering certain kinds of employment....

In all states I believe, you can sit to take boards if you have a background, but the complication comes when you are seeking employment, as it depends on the individual facility to hire you. Its pretty simple to get licensened but gaining employment is usually the challenge.

tyloo · Jul 23, 2011

Clearly, if you read through the Original post without bias, my issue is with convicted felons taking care of vulnerable members of society. It matters not (to me anyway) whether or not they are a good person or not (being a good person is relative..it is not well defined) what matters to me is that there are consequences to actions and if someone has already shown, to the point of being convicted, that they cannot follow a set of rules, then yes, i will say it, i DO NOT want them having free reign with my loved one in a nursing home. We all know that nursing homes get away with a lot r/t not being as strictly monitored as Acute care hospitals.

I watched all three videos.

Only one of the three aides had a conviction of a felony in 2008 after she was hired in 2005.

The BON should have caught it in her license renewal. She probably falsified on her renewal and of course no record check was done. The other two aides were bad people with a CLEAN record until now with the present assault felony convictions.

The male RN with sexual rape/abuse pending conviction had no prior record until now. These were felons that were not caught YET.

The problem is at this Nursing Home and the Administrators that permitted these behaviors turning a blind cheek to it. Clearly having one alleged abuser for care is terrible let alone three or four is horrific and plain obscene!