Any nurses out there hired by a hospital after a minor felony on their record?

Just want to update you all on my story. Since starting this thread, I have been applying to jobs like crazy and I did put on all my applications a brief explanation of my felony without too many details. I simply state that is was something that happened when I was young. I have since had several interviews and not one of them brought it up to me. I was actually offered a few jobs and I chose one I am very happy with. So I guess I have answered the question. YOU CAN GET HIRED AFTER A CRIMINAL RECORD!!!!! Just remember to put it on the application when asked and my advice is not to give too many details because you don't want the hiring manager to imagine you doing the crime. State that it was a mistake made long ago that you have learned from it and have no convictions since. Something simple like that. I never brought it up (and neither did they) during interviews. I didn't want that being the focus of conversation and what I was remembered for, so I just made sure I went into the interview showing confidence and enthusiasm. Anyways, good luck to everyone job hunting right now. And thanks for all the support.

I went to a community college. I actually did not tell them of my felony because at the time I believed it was off my record. It never came up so I do not know if they actually followed through with the background check or even got the results. Maybe they didn't care, I do not know.

As for how I got hired:
I put on my applications a brief and non descriptive statement about my felony. I did not go into details because I did not want them picturing me as a criminal. I simply stated that yes I have a conviction that happened many years ago when I was young and that it was not related to drugs or violence and not work related. I stated that I have no other convictions since. I also reminded them in my statement that the state knows of the conviction and issued me a license to practice. I said that it was a learning experience. Again I did not go into details of the actual crime.

Then I was persistent with calling HR and asking for an interview. I never brought up my conviction when speaking to HR or during interviews. Maybe my applications were passed over because of the conviction but because I actually called and asked for an interview (meaning they didn't necessarily have my application in front of them at the time) I got a chance. I also said to Hr when asking for the interview that I had other job offers but was much more interested in this position before accepting another offer. This worked for me. I think it showed that I someone who is hirable and that other facilities wanted and that I wanted the interview because of a good match and not out of desperation.

Then, I really did my best at the interview. I prepared a portfolio with a personalized cover letter, I made sure I was early, dressed professionally, came prepared with questions of my own about the department, and answers to common questions that really showed my best qualities. I also showed a lot of enthusiasm/passion for the area of nursing I was applying to. Of course I remembered my manners and I also complimented the interviewer on some work related issue she was telling me about. Then at the end of the interview, I asked when they would have a decision (they said within a week because they had another interview scheduled) so then I said that I actually had another job offer but that this was the position I really wanted. It must have worked, because within a half hour of leaving the interview, HR called me to say, I was hired because they didn't want to lose me. Don't be afraid to be assertive. That is what they are looking for.

So my advice to everyone is to not focus on the felony or discuss it unless asked, but be honest without telling too much in the application. Be assertive by actually asking for an interview and telling the interviewer that you are very interested in the position and say something positive about the hospital, unit, and/or interviewer (do some research first). Show enthusiasm and passion for nursing, the department, the hospital. You want to stand out as someone who is in it for more than the money and that you have a great attitude and will stay with the company. That's my advice. It is what worked for me.

Maybe the lack of interviews isn't the felony, but rather this terrible job market. Stay positive! And best of luck to you all.