New grad and nervous about having job offer withdrawn...

Nurses Professionalism

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Hello, all! I'm new to this site, but I see how nurses are constantly helping one another, and I was hoping for the same kind of guidance. I am a new grad RN and was recently offered a job at a pretty big hospital in the area I would like to specialize in. Lucky me! My only concern is the background check. I was convicted with a misdemeanor for petty theft back in 2007. I didn't actually take anything, but rather was praised by my former manager for doing the right thing in the wrong way...but that's another story. I had this misdemeanor "set aside" in 2012 and was truthful on my application as having had a PRIOR conviction. I'm concerned that it will cause me to fail the background check and have my job offer withdrawn. Does anyone have any insight into a situation like this? I want to be excited about my new job, but my nerves won't let me. I'm constantly stressed about receiving that dreaded call. Any help is greatly appreciated :)

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Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

When you say 'set aside' do you mean expunged? If so, it shouldn't come up at all, but sometimes things happen. I'm confused on the exact circumstances that resulted in the conviction & I don't think ti's fair to speculate, without more information. If you did the 'right' thing, how were you convicted in the first place? Sorry, but there are more questions that makes it silly to guess without knowing the answers.

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I was trying to keep things vague, but I can see how a lot wouldn't make sense. The situation that landed me a misdemeanor happened three days before Christmas. I was working at a department store, and an older gentleman came to my register. We got to chatting and he had recently lost his wife, and this was the first time he had to Christmas shop for his eleven grandchildren without her. When his total amount came up, he was $13 or so short. I went ahead and voided one of his items without him knowing, so he could afford it. Afterwards, I slipped a twenty dollar bill into my register to cover the difference; that's where I went wrong. I was young and didn't quite understand the concept that what I did was still stealing, regardless of my attempt to reimburse the store. My manager told me the only reason I was caught was because the count of my drawer was over so much money. He said had he have been the one to discover what I did, he would have given me a slap on the wrist and explained how I could have helped without "stealing" merchandise, but because corporate was already involved they would have to press charges. That's my sad tale of how I obtained a criminal conviction by doing the right thing in the wrong way. Additionally, in the state of Arizona, we don't have the opportunity to expunge our records, but we have the option to set them aside. From my understanding, that means that the conviction will still show up on our records, but it will show that the charges were dismissed. I'm not sure if knowing that I was once convicted, regardless of the judge's decision to dismiss the charges, will reflect badly on my character.

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Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

that's unfortunate when you were just trying to help the poor man.

I'm pretty sure in most states, background checks can be bought online or through state police, for cheap (in PA it's about $10 I believe) and you could order one on yourself. However, it might take time and the prospective employee would have the results long before you. I'm not sure if you have any documentation to back-up you're kindness, but somewhat naive-ness as a youngster. A police or court summary sheet? Possibly even a signed or notarized letter from your previous manager? An attorney? Anything would be better to an employer than simply your word. I am all for honesty and it sounds as though it would definitely come up to the employer. It's just a question of being forthright and possibly bringing it up yourself before they find out. Yet, that's sort of like shooting yourself in the foot.

Sorry I can't help more, but I think any documentation would be better than none, to present. I wish you luck & please let me/us know what transpires.

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This is just my opinion -

You were truthful on your application that you had a prior conviction. I don't think you would have received a job offer from this hospital if they had concerns about your prior conviction.

Most HR departments do a pretty good job screening applications. If the hospital had concerns about your prior conviction, HR probably wouldn't have even forwarded your application to the hiring manager.

The things in your favor:

- this was a misdemeanor not a felony

- it occurred 9 years ago

- you satisfied the courts on your "rehabiliation" enough that they set aside your conviction

- I'm guessing you were pretty young when you made the mistake

- They aren't going to find anything in the background check that you haven't already revealed to them.

As my mother would say, "Don't borrow trouble." Enjoy the anticipation of starting your first nursing job. If they do withdraw their offer, you can worry then.

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Do you have an answer yet? I have thought about you. How sad if you were to lose your job over what was essentially a good deed. Please let us know

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