what is a background check?

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Sep 21, 2011

They are typically looking for any criminal history or falsified information you gave.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2011

Pretty much anything can be found depending on the nature of the check.

Most employers are looking for criminal activity. Some also check for credit, bounced checks, bankruptcies, etc. They also check your employment record.

Some employers do a full federal (FBI) clearance which also brings up other questionable activity, and charges that may have been dropped.

And many in the area of Texas also do a GroupOne check, that can black ball employees for many reasons.

Exactly WHAT release did you sign to allow the checks to be done.....that would determine more what is done. If you signed a credit check release, etc.

You need to be more specific.

merlee · Sep 21, 2011

Each employer has its own standards. You need to ask at the time you are signing those papers.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2011

I've had hair analysis, blood and urine testing, fingerprinting, credit checks, calls to all my former employers going back 30 years, certified transcripts from every college I graduated from, FBI check...you name it. It all depends on the employer. Pre-employment, they can do whatever they want to satisfy their need to know you are who you say you are without any baggage.

Also, they can ask you to perform the essential functions of the job prior to hire to make sure you are capable. I once had to carry a 100# dummy from wheelchair to bed and drag a 200# dummy across a room for a nursing job. They were trying to rule out pre-existing structural problems pre-hire.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 21, 2011

Confused I had a discussin today and became totally confuse about a background check that employers do on new employees. I need to know who is right about what can be found on a background check.

What are you afraid of? Unless the FBI is looking for you, or you have been convicted of certain crimes that are prohibited in healthcare facilities, you shouldn't have to worry..... if you can disclose more (totally up to you), it might be easier to get someone with more specific information for you :)

sorry · Sep 22, 2011

What are you afraid of? Unless the FBI is looking for you, or you have been convicted of certain crimes that are prohibited in healthcare facilities, you shouldn't have to worry..... if you can disclose more (totally up to you), it might be easier to get someone with more specific information for you :)

I am not afraid of anything I am totally clean....my thoughts of a background check was just past employment and criminal activties..but the person I had the discussion with said that everything in a person life can be found when a job do a background check.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 22, 2011

I am not afraid of anything I am totally clean....my thoughts of a background check was just past employment and criminal activties..but the person I had the discussion with said that everything in a person life can be found when a job do a background check.

It depends on how much they want to know , and how much they're willing to pay. These days, between 10-50 bucks buys you salary, home value, criminal activity, credit scores, credit problems/bankruptcy, and a bunch of other stuff. :) You can do it on them if you know their name and address. It's really way too easy for ANYBODY to get information....

You should be fine :)

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Sep 22, 2011

They can find anything if they want to look hard enough, or pay someone else to look. Even blocked or locked or hidden (whatever it is called) facebook and twitter pages, etc. Everything on the internet connected to your name or any account that can be connected to you through ISPs, etc. They can find out every job you have ever had because of social security reporting (so never lie or omit). Obviously criminal background, and court documents with your name on them. I am pretty sure you have to sign a separate document to permit a hard pull credit check. They can do a soft pull without your consent beyond the ubiquitous "background check" form and bank records are fair game.

An FBI back ground check is more extensive and more expensive, and I highly doubt most nursing positions would require that. I did have to have one for my current job, and I know that someone interviewed former neighbors of mine, but I have no idea what else.

I think mostly they want to know what kind of person you are. Have you ever appeared on Jerry Springer or Maury? Have you ever written a letter to the editor? Posted nakie pictures on the internet, been a playboy centerfold or starred in an adult film? Have you ever been arrested? Do you pay your bills? Have you been divorced 7 times? Have you been sued by your neighborhood association for refusing to abide the covenants? Do you have kids by 5 different Moms and they have all had to garnish your wages in the past to collect owed support? How about tax liens, repossessions, etc. etc. A simple background check answers most of those questions and can help them week out undesirable candidates.

They can also go deep enough to find out what magazines you subscribe to, what movies you rent, etc. Unless you are running for office I doubt they are going to spend that much money to find out. Mostly they want to know that you are not a criminal, deviant or dead beat.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 22, 2011

Subscriptions and utility bills are one way one search site finds info....

Zaba Search....you can find people, who they're related to, address, phone number- for FREE.....wanna pay? You get a lot more.