Jobs at hospitals and credit checks...

RN34TX · Feb 28, 2005

interesting bit of information i heard today. it would seem that some of the major hospital holding companies are beginning to do credit checks on applicants. if you have bad credit or even filed a bankruptcy in the past, you are considered not employable by that facility.
i find this troubling on several levels. first, there are some very legitimate reasons for people to file bankruptcy. in fact wasn't there an article a few weeks back stating that most bankruptcies are due to medical costs? secondly, we already have a nursing shortage...well in some places...and now they are throwing this into the mix. i guess i just don't understand how you can be denied employment due to credit history...criminal history yes, but credit history? i know a number of people who would make great nurses but they may find themselves unemployable. could even be the end of their nursing dreams and this is a very, very, sad state of affairs since these folks would make terrific nurses.
anyone else hear about this?

i did know of one large hospital in dallas who runs credit checks on applicants. i have excellent credit but still refused. my credit has nothing to do with my providing nursing care and certainly not the hospital's business in any capacity.

where do you draw the line with getting into employees private lives?

drug tests, criminal background checks, etc. although sometimes necessary are certainly invasive enough.

nurses work for the hospital, they are not owned by the hospital.

credit checks would certainly be moving us a step in that direction.

Fraggle · Feb 28, 2005

my current job runs credit checks on all applicants. but it's a financial company, although we don't handle money ourselves. makes sense. in fact, a lot of companies, regardless of industry run credit checks now. i think it has a bit to do with sarbanes act? the chance on embezzlement in different forms? honestly, i don't know. i don't think it does relate to healthcare very much, particularly bedside nursing.

interesting bit of information i heard today. it would seem that some of the major hospital holding companies are beginning to do credit checks on applicants. if you have bad credit or even filed a bankruptcy in the past, you are considered not employable by that facility.
i find this troubling on several levels. first, there are some very legitimate reasons for people to file bankruptcy. in fact wasn't there an article a few weeks back stating that most bankruptcies are due to medical costs? secondly, we already have a nursing shortage...well in some places...and now they are throwing this into the mix. i guess i just don't understand how you can be denied employment due to credit history...criminal history yes, but credit history? i know a number of people who would make great nurses but they may find themselves unemployable. could even be the end of their nursing dreams and this is a very, very, sad state of affairs since these folks would make terrific nurses.
anyone else hear about this?

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2005

This is not a new practice, and not limited to hospitals. It's becoming fairly standard employment practice in all industries, and speaking as someone who has worked in human resources ... the intent is generally NOT to see the balance on your credit cards.

Credit checks are more appropriately used to verify your past employment (to see if it matches what you listed on your application) and addresses where you have received mail. This is the primary value, to a prospective employer, of a credit check. Checks of your driving license record are also not unusual, and serve the same purpose. While it's not impossible that an individual employer might choose to look unfavorably on an unflattering credit record or *colorful* driving history, in many states it's illegal to deny employment solely on the basis of poor credit, unless the employment is in a financially-related business or where there is access to cash/resaleable goods. If you have never before had your credit checked before being offered a job ... consider your experience to be atypical.

Read applications thoroughly when you're filling them out: if they ask for all employment and indicate that this will be verified then list all employment or don't fill out the application. If you left a job without notice/on bad terms/whatever ... say so and explain. Bottom line: nursing shortage or no, there is always competition for jobs. Put your best foot forward.

I'm thinking about starting a thread on "what to expect during the job hunt." :rolleyes:

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2005

I heard of it and I find it a terrible practice. While some may argue that a person's credit history tells a lot about a how responsible a person is, I am inclined to disagree. Oftentimes people get in over their heads. Perhaps made bad decisions as students or maybe they had some medical condition and no insurance-maybe they were financially stable at one time and suddenly found themselves unemployed...anything could happen that could negatively affect a person's credit history and does not entriely reflect that person's responsibility level. That being said, it may be smart to run credit checks on people depending on the industry. In healthcare- bedside nursing especially- I don't see how a person's credit exemplifies how good a nurse that person may be. JMHO.

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2005

I heard of it and I find it a terrible practice. While some may argue that a person's credit history tells a lot about a how responsible a person is, I am inclined to disagree. Oftentimes people get in over their heads. Perhaps made bad decisions as students or maybe they had some medical condition and no insurance-maybe they were financially stable at one time and suddenly found themselves unemployed...anything could happen that could negatively affect a person's credit history and does not entriely reflect that person's responsibility level. That being said, it may be smart to run credit checks on people depending on the industry. In healthcare- bedside nursing especially- I don't see how a person's credit exemplifies how good a nurse that person may be. JMHO.

I hadn't refreshed my browser and so I missed MLOS post. If indeed the credit check is just to verify statements on the application are true...well I stand corrected on my perceptions on why credit checks are done at various hospitals.

:uhoh21:

NO1_2NV · Mar 1, 2005

interesting that a credit check would show past employment history. i had my identity stolen about 2 years ago so i watch my credit report very, very closely. i have never seen anything about my past or even current employment history. doesn't the state board have your employment history and even more importantly, they would also have any disciplinary actions brought against you. far more pertinent information then what a credit check provides.

i can totally understand credit history in the financial sector but pleaseeeeee.

sun1shine1 · Mar 1, 2005

I also think that a verification through the SBN would be better than a credit check. My husband's been unemployed since July (just got a job last week :)), so right now our credit is really hurting. With all of the other tests, checks, and physicals, you would think that they would already know just about everything about you. I'm just wondering what's next. My BBT chart to know when I ovulate? That's about all that's left. I guess boys will just have to suffice with a semen sample Perhaps they could get my karyotype done for me too.

Charity, RN, APRN · Mar 1, 2005

When I asked my nurse manager why our hospital was running credit checks, (actually it was a private agency that took a month to do a complete background check, and I was a former employee!), she said it was to look for people in REALLY desparate trouble. People hurting that much may be more likely to steal, and a hospital is full drugs and gadgets. I don't know if it still takes a month to complete the background checks anymore, now that they fingerprint new employees here. :stone

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Mar 1, 2005

When I asked my nurse manager why our hospital was running credit checks, (actually it was a private agency that took a month to do a complete background check, and I was a former employee!), she said it was to look for people in REALLY desparate trouble. People hurting that much may be more likely to steal, and a hospital is full drugs and gadgets. I don't know if it still takes a month to complete the background checks anymore, now that they fingerprint new employees here. :stone

:crying2: I THINK THIS IS ABSURD! I AM A VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT! EVER SINCE I WAS 3 YRS. OLD AN ILLEGAL ALIEN HAD BEEN WORKING WITH MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, ACTUALLY BUILT UP THE CREDIT TO LATER REALLY HURT IT AND GETTING INTO HUNDRED OF THOUSANDS IN DEBT. WHEN I BEGAN WORKING IS WHEN I FOUND OUT AS MY CHECKS WERE THREATENED TO BE GARNISHED.

EVER SINCE I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO CLEAR MY CREDIT COMPLETELY. EVERYWHERE I APPLY FOR SOMETHING IT IS DENIED. I EVEN WENT THROUGH THE MAYOR OF MY STATE AND NO LUCK. MY OTHER OPTION WAS TO GET A NEW SS#, BUT WOULD BE THE SAME THING BECAUSE ON A CREDIT CHECK THEY ALSO REFER TO THE PREVIOUS ONE ASSIGNED. NO MATTER WHAT, ALL THEY SEE ON THEIR END IS POINTS AND I HAVE BAD RATING BECAUSE OF THIS PERSON WHO RUINED MY CREDIT AND LIFE!

Kyriaka · Mar 1, 2005

I heard of it and I find it a terrible practice. While some may argue that a person's credit history tells a lot about a how responsible a person is, I am inclined to disagree.
_______________
I also disagree.
I have a terrible credit rating...for medical bills only. Other than medical bills, I live completly debt free. I always have.
I also had an issue with the IRS a few years back when I divorced. My ex owned taxes. The IRS came after me because we had been married (yes...they can do that). For the next 3 years all my refunds went to his debt.

grentea · Mar 2, 2005

so you can refuse to let a hospital check your credit right? i have ok credit but i would refuse just on the principle of it. i think it's a really messed up invasion of privacy. if a hospital wants to be sure of my employment history, they can call the numbers i give them. as far as trying to find out who the "desperate" people are so the hospital can crack down on theft, that strikes me as messed up too. the other thing is my credit isn't going to be stellar coming right out of school as a new grad. i'm not sure what they would expect. i've had odd jobs here and there but i haven't had a real career yet and that's why i would be applying for a job at a hospital.