Background Checks and Protecting Your Privacy

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Nurses are great people. We've had transgendered persons as patients before and I was so proud of the open-mindedness and nonjudgemental way they treated the patients.

We recently had a female to male patient who had a horrible accident. She still had female genatialia, but had a double mastectomy, took hormones and had a beard. The respect and dignity my coworkers treated him with was amazing. I was so proud.

But, of course you may have heard how we treat each other. That's a completely different story. I would recommend keeping your past to yourself. I myself have secrets that is nobody's business.

Just the woman that you are. The fact you were born with male genitalia at birth is competely irrelivant (sp?) in my opinion. Don't tell your employers, coworkers, or the nursing school. You are legally female. End of discussion.

[nursebucky]

Happy, I am a student nurse and my background is in human resources.

The background check does pull up all names used if associated with the ssn. I have never asked anyone to explain this, as I attirbute it to being married, divorced, etc.

Try not to worry so....

Good luck to you!

[nursemouse]

Happy, I hope you remain "happy", and I hope you find a group to work with as tolerant as those who are wishing you well here. I personally would feel totally at peace and comfortable with who you are, and I'd be fully prepared to go toe-to-toe with anyone I worked with who caused you suffering because of these factors out of your control. For those who use "God" and "religion" against you; I can only say that the God I believe in could never be that narrow-minded and cruel. I truly wish you the best. Nursemouse

[zudy]

Happy, I don't know much about this subject (but I learn so much by coming here!) I can' t add any good advise, just wanted to say welcome to nursing, hope you have a great experience in school, and I'm glad you are here!:)

[mattsmom81]

I don't think getting into nursing school and getting a license will be a problem for you.

I think getting a JOB as a nurse may be a big problem, depending on the locale.

Every nurse job I've ever applied for, employment has been contingent on review of background check and medical history. Failure to be totally honest on ANY questions is grounds for termination in facilities in my parts. We all know how medical facilities pick and choose employees based on risk management and background history.

So...PLEASE talk to that lawyer ASAP so you can protect your rights and find a job after graduation!!! I'd hate to see you waste your time if you have no legal protection.

Sexual matters discussed at the workplace amongst coworkers can be construed as sexual harassment. I would NEVER disclose such personal info as my personal/sexual life, or a sex change operation to ANY of my coworkers. Talking about sexual matters of ANY kind is risky in today's workplace.

Perhaps some parts of the country are more tolerant, but I don't live in one. Employers can blow you off by saying "we filled the position with a better candidate'. Many facilities do background checks prior to even interviewing the candidate in my parts, and one simply isn't called if there are ANY negatives (such as two background names one male and one female)

I wish you well, but please go into this with your eyes open. Warm fuzzies on a bulletin board are not going to protect you, you need strong legal advice. Good luck and I wish you the very best. :)

[happy03]

Thanks again for the kind words and support! I've called a few lawyers and so none have any background on any situations similar to mine. I'll keep searching until I find one who is.

Every nurse job I've ever applied for, employment has been contingent on review of background check and medical history. Failure to be totally honest on ANY questions is grounds for termination in facilities in my parts. We all know how medical facilities pick and choose employees based on risk management and background history.

Yes this is true and is probably my greatest concern. I have undergone background checks, but I imagine the medical background check will be far more extensive at a hospital. Perhaps I should try applying for a position while finishing up my prerequisites.

I think getting a JOB as a nurse may be a big problem, depending on the locale.

I live in a very conservative southern state now.

Perhaps some parts of the country are more tolerant, but I don't live in one. Employers can blow you off by saying "we filled the position with a better candidate'. Many facilities do background checks prior to even interviewing the candidate in my parts, and one simply isn't called if there are ANY negatives (such as two background names one male and one female)

Yes this is a big fear of mine. It has nothing to do with my capabilities, but some facilities/administrators may automatically exclude me because of this. I would be less inclined to apply at a religiously affiliated hospital out of this fear.

I wish you well, but please go into this with your eyes open. Warm fuzzies on a bulletin board are not going to protect you, you need strong legal advice. Good luck and I wish you the very best.

Thanks, and I realize this! This is obviously a huge investment/decision for me, and warm fuzzies won't get me a job! I think I will call some local hospitals (as well as a lawyer) and see what policies they may have.

[Shiva_Las_Vegas]

Happy,

Thanks for the links to the articles. Hopefully I will be able to look at more of them soon. (right now I'm busy with work and summer school, so I don't have much time to spare....).

I really do wish you the best of luck and hope you let us know how everything turns out for you........