At what point should a negative background check be mentioned?

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2006

Say NOTHING unless you are asked. To volunteer information is the same as shooting yourself in the foot. Do you want a job or not? Contrary to what you might believe, confession is not good for the soul when it is job hunting. Confess to your priest. Unless the application you fill out specifically asks if you have had any misdeameanors other than traffic violations then answer truthfully. Otherwise, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. If the facility does a background check and something comes up, they can ask you about it then, but do not volunteer this kind of information or you will never find a job.

kids · Feb 18, 2006

Volunteer NOTHING.

I have a couple of "blemishes" that come up on my criminal background check. I answer the questions "you ever been arrested for a felony" and "have you ever been convicted or plead guily/no contest to any of the following {list}" truthfully (in my case, no). If you lie it is grounds for termination for falsifying the application.

I make no mention of things I know are going to show up, in 15 years I have never been questioned or asked to elaborate when the check came back.

wincha · Feb 21, 2006

what do these companies who check you out come up with? like choicepoint? i have never had a background check like this. however another company said they would do one, not sure if they did. i ended up not going with the job. my husbands credit isn't the best. its not the worst either. more had to do with his self employment after unemployment paying bills late, having his clients taking forever to pay their bills. actually i would have qualified for a new mortgage however i did not make enough and his credit wasn't good enough. so my credit appears to be ok since the bills are in his name.

kk2000 · Feb 24, 2006

Say NOTHING unless you are asked. To volunteer information is the same as shooting yourself in the foot. Do you want a job or not? Contrary to what you might believe, confession is not good for the soul when it is job hunting. Confess to your priest. Unless the application you fill out specifically asks if you have had any misdeameanors other than traffic violations then answer truthfully. Otherwise, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. If the facility does a background check and something comes up, they can ask you about it then, but do not volunteer this kind of information or you will never find a job.

I understand where you are coming from, but... I have been in 3 job interviews, they all have offered me a job during the interview.

Now, I have filled out the applications and signed consent for the background check on all of them, as well as drug screens. 2 of them actually called to say the drug screen was good and they were just waiting for background check. then I never heard from any of them again! I have left messages at all of the facilities and no phone call back.

Now, I am a grown up... I know how theses interviews went-wonderfully. I have been told what a good fit I would be and other very flattering things.Actually talked scheduling with 2 of them . Cannot for the life of me figure any other reason why I am now being blow off except the background checks.

Really have no idea what to do except tell them abut my past in the intervew!

Ugghhhhh I wish I could have a clean slate but I don't. I am however a trustworthy, compaasionate person who will really make a wonderful nurse. It is the only thing I absolutely know that I am meant to do. I am beside myself.

Thanks for the advice.

K-

edchunt, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2006

I think you have to answer truthfully and abou every app I fill asks these type questions. I have more than blemishes and know what you mean abou the interviews. I have had one good place give me a chance and i have been able to prove myself worthy. they like me now and want to keep me. The past has bitten me several times but finally someone believed and gave me that chance, I don't volunteer things but the questions always come out and i get teased with the idea I might get hired. I belive if you keep trying and don't give up you will get the break that will get you off to a great start. I'm not proud of the past but I am very proud of the present amd what the future may hold if i am honest with others as well as myself and have faith that good will finally come before its too late. :banghead:

mismissy69 · Mar 17, 2006

This is a touchy subject. I live in NYS and if you have a criminal background you have to disclose it if not you can be reported and BON will take your license away. I just went through a moral character review for my prior convictions and the Investigator stressed this to me to be honest and upfront and so far to my surprise it's phased no one. i had more anxiety than I should have I guess. I havent had any trouble getting a job and as a matter of fact I went to an interview the other day and when I left I felt that he wasn't gonna call me back because I told him I have a record and as soon as I got home he called me back for a second interview. I think that once they see (employers) that you were granted your license they dont think it's that big a deal and also if it was a long time ago.

=sAm= · Mar 19, 2006

I have the same problem as I have a felony record from before I was a nurse. I find it dificult to know when to bring up this subject as I know it will become an issue. I am never actually sure because I know that background checks only go back so far and my last problem was over 10 years ago, but why take chances. When filling out the application I simply put the truth or some times check the yes box and fill in "Will answer in person". When/if they ask I am up front with it. Recently they have not asked and after the 2nd interview when it was obvious the area manager and regional manager loved me and were going to follow through I said "there is one thing we have to discuss", as I closed the door. There are simply some things I can not do in my state because of the past and I can't change that. I also prefer not to be hired without full disclosure. I do not want to quit my job and start somewhere new to be terminated a week later. So I feel it is better to be up front as I really don't like surprises. That way, if I am honest it is over and done. If I am meant to have the job I will, if I don't get it then it was not meant to be. I can live with that. I cannot change the past but I can change my future. The one thing on my side is I am a valuable commodoty (a licensed RN). I have not had any trouble securing permanent postitions but I am finding Traveling and/or home care to be a problem...that's just the way it is. At least this is first hand proof to my kids and not some fairy tale to them so they do think about how your past does follow you.

mismissy69 · Mar 19, 2006

I have the same problem as I have a felony record from before I was a nurse. I find it dificult to know when to bring up this subject as I know it will become an issue. I am never actually sure because I know that background checks only go back so far and my last problem was over 10 years ago, but why take chances. When filling out the application I simply put the truth or some times check the yes box and fill in "Will answer in person". When/if they ask I am up front with it. Recently they have not asked and after the 2nd interview when it was obvious the area manager and regional manager loved me and were going to follow through I said "there is one thing we have to discuss", as I closed the door. There are simply some things I can not do in my state because of the past and I can't change that. I also prefer not to be hired without full disclosure. I do not want to quit my job and start somewhere new to be terminated a week later. So I feel it is better to be up front as I really don't like surprises. That way, if I am honest it is over and done. If I am meant to have the job I will, if I don't get it then it was not meant to be. I can live with that. I cannot change the past but I can change my future. The one thing on my side is I am a valuable commodoty (a licensed RN). I have not had any trouble securing permanent postitions but I am finding Traveling and/or home care to be a problem...that's just the way it is. At least this is first hand proof to my kids and not some fairy tale to them so they do think about how your past does follow you.

You make a good point as to being an example to your children. I don't think young people realize how a mistake now can hurt their future. I know I wasn't thinking about it at the time. But on the upside yes it is good to be honest and upfront. So far I haven't had any problem as a matter of fact I just got Hired at the Veteran's Hospital in my area can you believe that the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT I didn't think I had a chance there at all. I think if people can tell that you changed and you are not that same person who commited those crimes they are willing to take a chance on you,also I feel that they think that if the BON has given you your license you must have been a good candidate.

HARRN2b · Mar 22, 2006

Do credit issues affect your employment in nursing? I am coming from a business background and they do credit checks everywhere before hiring. I am sick and tired of people wanting to know what my mortgage is and how many credit cards I have (yes they are maxed due to my going to school). I applied for a part time position at a national retailer and was told that they would do a credit check. Please note, I am not talking a criminal check, I have nothing there but a few traffic tickets. I am just so sick of the credit background checks I could scream! Any one else feel the same?

Thanks for listening,

Holly

mismissy69 · Mar 22, 2006

Do credit issues affect your employment in nursing? I am coming from a business background and they do credit checks everywhere before hiring. I am sick and tired of people wanting to know what my mortgage is and how many credit cards I have (yes they are maxed due to my going to school). I applied for a part time position at a national retailer and was told that they would do a credit check. Please note, I am not talking a criminal check, I have nothing there but a few traffic tickets. I am just so sick of the credit background checks I could scream! Any one else feel the same?
Thanks for listening,
Holly

You know im sick of that too what does my credit have to do with me getting a job. I really think it's a ploy to weed certain people out. If I don't pay my bills or chose not to it my freakin business. This world is just getting nosier by the minute I can't stand it. :madface:

atal · Mar 25, 2006

I'm glad I found this. I am interested in becoming a nurse. I have a bachelors degree in genetics and have been working in the clinical laboratory, and have found that I am a lot more interested in patient care. However, I am afraid that I will go thru all of the schooling, and not be granted a nurses lisence due to the fact that I have a past DWI charge. Or a job for that matter. How does having a record affect the nurse lisencing process?? Thanks.