Criminal history?

Nursing Students Technicians

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I was wondering if another facility would hire me or not after finding that I have a reckless driving charge & DUI from YEARS ago when I was young and dumb...It follows me like a dark could even though I don't even drink at all anymore and have completely changed my life FOR THE BETTER. I feel very stuck in my current situation and my current position at a hospital that I work for. I am trapped working 7 pm to 7 am and nothing is available on days so I am not sleeping properly and getting sick constantly. I'm actually having to miss a ton of work due to lack of rest and illness and my director is on my butt about this. But I cannot help that this shift is ruining my life. It is not for everyone and trust me, I am a DAY SHIFT kind of person. I am looking to switch hospitals, however, I am scared another facility will run my history and turn me down. It is just awful and I am slipping into major depression with my job and life. I am miserable. I break down and cry all of the time. I am desperate to get on somewhere else.

Does anyone have any experience with this or any advice for me?

And please guys do not judge me about my back ground...I am not that person any more and trust me I am already feeling depressed about it. Please dont kick me while I am down.

Thanks in advance

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First of all let me start out by saying "NOBODY HAS A HEAVEN OR A HELL TO PUT YOU IN". Though I've never been in this type situation, I'm sure that if you will be COMPLETELY honest with them that they will be understanding about it. The only advice that I will give you is to pray about it & have faith that it will work out. But you also should stop beating yourself up about it as well. It happened, you changed your life & now it's time to move on. We ALL have vices that we're dealing with, and shouldnt be judging because NOBODY IS PERFECT. I hope that this gives you some encouragement to keep pushing on & CLAIM THAT JOB. Good Luck & please keep me posted on how things went.

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I understand your situation and while I'm just starting out myself (nursing school Spring 2015 start) all I can say is put yourself out there and be completely honest about your history when applying (if and when it comes up). Not saying anything when there is a question on the application, and then they see it on a criminal report, will not do you any good. Simply state the facts, this happened years ago, and the fact that you have not had any incidences since. You might want to check your driving/criminal record yourself first (in Texas it's less than $15 to order driving record online) and see what it actually says on there, so you know what others will see. Get references lined up from those that can vouch for your character, like supervisors or managers and anyone in the field that you trust to talk to about looking for another job. Good luck!

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

While it's usually best to disclose such problems, you should also know that sometimes employers only want to know about problems that have occurred within a certain window of time. If either of those two charges were a Felony, then you'd want to disclose that anyway as that employer may be barred from hiring felons, for whatever reason. If you have a felony conviction and it's been a while, some states have a process in place that may allow the conviction to be reduced to a misdemeanor.

When you're applying for positions elsewhere, if the application states anything about past convictions, read that stuff very, very carefully.

As you're are aware, I'm sure, employers want to know that you can be trusted. If you have a record, that become more difficult to show that you're trustworthy, but I don't think it's anywhere near impossible to do. I've had EMS partners that had past felonies that were wonderful and trustworthy people to work with. They couldn't get licensed above their current level, but at the time it didn't limit their employment options all that much. I think that kleesh has a very good perspective on this.

I wish you all the best in finding a work schedule that is more agreeable with you.

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Thank you so much. It really gives me hope. This website has helped me so much and everyone is so caring and uplifting! I am going to get the background check tomorrow and I was up front witht the hiring lady and she was super understanding. If all goes well I will be switching PRN with the hospital and going full time days with this home health agency! Fingers crossed I get this job! **praying***

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