Applying for dream unit after hospital takeover with arrest record

Nurses Recovery

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Not sure where to post this but you all seem to be the most experienced dealing with HR and legal issues.

I’ve been working on the same unit of my hospital for a few years. 4 years ago I was arrested for a DUI after I side swiped an unoccupied parked car in my blind spot. In my naivety and lack of experience dealing with police, when asked if I was on medications, I saw no problem in disclosing the ADHD med that I’ve been taking for 10 years without issue. That was all they needed. I hired both a DUI and a license defense attorney. On my behalf the latter self-reported my arrest to the BON within the week. I ended up pleading to a reduced charge of reckless driving. The BON had me get an addiction evaluation which stated no need for any treatment or monitoring and the case was closed.

That’s the background, here’s my current problem. My Small Community Hospital has been taken over by Very Important Chain Hospital including all HR activities. Several positions have opened up on my dream unit but I’m scared about what might happen if they run a background check and discover the arrest. There’s nothing wrong with my current unit but this other unit has been my goal since starting nursing and I’m so sad that I may never get a shot at something I’m so passionate about.

I feel like I’m at a crossroad. My options are 1. Don’t apply for any positions and ride out the rest of my career in my current unit, or 2. Apply for the position and I either just won’t get the job or I’ll be fired from my current one.

Thoughts?

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If it were me, I would not want to poison my current position. Once the information is made available (by way of your application), it is out there. Sure, they can do a background check and discover this otherwise, but don't stir the pot until it needs to be stirred. Only say this because you have no idea how dicey it could get for you. Don't bring it upon yourself is all I'm saying.

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I don’t think there will be an issue as long as you are currently licensed

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