Problem with reference from previous employer

[KSinMT]

Hello, this is my first post here, hope everyone is doing well. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem or how they handled this type of situation. Six years ago I worked at a hospital and was caught diverting a prescription. Bascially, I resigned in lieu of termination. They pretty much gave me no choice by saying I could stay employed there and transfer to a different area but they would turn me over to law enforcement and take legal action for their own protection unless I resigned. I of course resigned to avoid legal charges. They did report me to the BON which I understand is mandatory. Before the board even received the complaint I enrolled myself in the NAP monitoring program. So when I went in front of the board, I was already enrolled in the non-disciplinary track of the NAP program, and the board decided I could remain in it for 3 years with no official disciplinary action taken against my license as long as I successfully completed the program, which I did with not a single positive UA, I actively participated in my outpatient counseling and have been clean for 6 years now :) I was fortunate enough to get hired at a LTCF while in the NAP program and have been there for 5 years with glowing reviews but it is a very difficult, stressful job, the working conditions are horrendous for the most part and I am ready to move on and find something new where I can see myself retiring from. The problem I am running into is I have had two job interviews in the past 3 months, both of which I was pretty much told the job was all but mine until it came time for the reference checks. I suspect the hospital I diverted from is disclosing this information. ON my applications I always say I left due to a medical illness that is now resolved (which is true..addiction is an illness and I am in recovery). There is absolutely nothing on my license, no actions, it is perfectly clean, the BON told me I never have to disclose the incident to future employers, it will never be brought up again unless I get another complaint in the future. When I left the hospital I met with the VP and the manager or HR and they assured me this information would never be disclosed during a reference but I can't help but wonder because as soon as I get to that point and they check my references, I am not being offered these jobs. Unfortunately I never got anything in writing, this was just a verbal understanding. Any advice on how to handle this would be appreciated. I have been thinking of contacting HR at the hospital. I have been thinking about just leaving the hospital off my resume/applications but I don't know if thats a good idea (what if they found out I worked there and then it would look like I'm dishonest/hiding something, plus I want employers to see that I have that experience. Something is holding me back here and I am getting very discouraged.

[Umberlee]

Umberlee, I noticed you are from Colorado. I was wondering which area and how it was dealing with the police. I have a complaint recently against me and in it my employer stated they reported to the local police. Now I live in fear that police will kick my door in at anytime and take me away.....

Like any interaction with the police, I'm sure much of varies depending on the individual officer you're dealing with. My employer did contact the police and an officer called me to ask about my diversion, which was obviously terrifying. However, he was very kind and actually seemed a bit sympathetic (which was probably augmented by the fact that I bawled through the whole thing) and said he was not going to charge me at that time but would defer my case to the DA who may be contacting me. He never did. I definitely could have been charged though.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Most institutions here in the metropolitan NY area will just verify your employment and how long you worked there. Some institutions will answer a question, i.e., eligible for rehire. I'm not sure if legally they can offer the info you shared here.

You don't say how long you worked for the institution where you had the problem. I'm not sure I would put them on my reference list unless you have a long gap. I'd check with an attorney in your area to see if indeed it is lawful to disclose that information.

Congratulations to you for getting yourself together! Continued success!

Legally they can. They can share any information they feel it's appropriate to, so long as it is the truth.

[green34]

I think it's up to the state laws regarding what can be revealed. My former partner sued the hospital for defamming him and won, but is case was completely different.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I think it's up to the state laws regarding what can be revealed. My former partner sued the hospital for defamming him and won, but is case was completely different.

Well, by definition, defamation is false. In the OP's case saying "this nurse diverted narcotics while employed here" wouldn't be defamation because it's the truth.