Background Checks

randall375 · Mar 3, 2005

Most hospitals check for a conviction record. Therefore they would not know about arrests. However, some BON's require an FBI fingerprint check that will bring up a DCJS Criminal "rapsheet" that will include anything and everything that one has been arrested for, and the disposition.

A word of caution - Lieing on an application for a license or a renewal is FAR WORSE than just being honest with a BON. In 9 out 10 cases they will work with someone that is trying to better themselves. Yes - they regularly run reports at random to check up on people, or at least they do here in New York.

Why aren't you working? What's going on? Then perhaps we can help.

Randy

shodobe · Mar 3, 2005

Do you really think the FBI has the time or cares about background checks on nurses? All criminal checks go through state records and fingerprints go through a national data program that all law enforcement agencies have access to. I would ask where the info they are getting on you comes from. It definitely isn't coming from a Federal agency, unless of course you are a terrorist! Like someone said, don't lie on your app because somehow they will find out. I will let them do a criminal background check because I don't have anything to hide BUT will not let them do a financial. Why, because it isn't any of their business. My finances are mine and my wifes alone. So far it hasn't been a problem because if it was then I would tell them that I wouldn't work for a place that put how I spent my money over how well I took care of my patients. Who cares if I have declared bankruptcy or had a car repossesed or made late payments on my house. Does it make me a bad nurse? I don't think so. I don't think even a minor criminal record should have anything to do on how good of a nurse you are. Most everyone has some past that might seem quirky but we're all human, prone to some mistakes. Anything major and you probably will have problems. This is why everyone should contact their state BON and inquire about this before starting the long commitment to nursing. It would be a shame to go 2-4 years only to find out you may have trouble getting your liscense. Getting your degree is no problem, but taking the boards is a different ball game.

nm1979 · Mar 3, 2005

I'm not working right now because I developed my problem and didn't feel like i could well if i was around narcotics. I've been a nurse for several years and everyone from detectives to lawyers to even the judge said that once it is expunged then the record doesn't exist as far as the public is concerned. That includes all nursing and medical boards and hospitals. Right now the arrest record does show up. I contacted the board of nursing in my state and they said they do their background checks with the help of the state bureau of investigation and public records is what they find. Once it's expunged it's no longer there for the public to see. I won't be applying for licensure I'll just be renewing, that's if I decide to anyway. Thanks for the replies.

Tnichelle · Mar 22, 2005

as someone said in a previous reply the BON does two background checks. one is a state check with your SS#, name and birthdate the other is a FBI check based on your fingerprints. Your correct in saying that some things can't be seen by certain people requesting your information, but the BON is a government agency and they are allowed to view your complete arrest record. Any time that you have been arrested and your fingerprints were taken the record will show to the BON of nursing. So as long as your remember to tell the truth you should be ok. Just rember don't tell if they don't ask, because if they want to know they will definately ask. Good luck to you. :)

Sirena922 · Mar 22, 2005

Does a criminal (felony) background have anything to do with you getting into a nursing program? I just got off probation and I'm taking my prereq's to get into a LPN program. I was told that if the crime had nothing to do with the care of patients then I had nothing to worry about, is this true, or it does matter?

Tnichelle · Mar 22, 2005

Does a criminal (felony) background have anything to do with you getting into a nursing program? I just got off probation and I'm taking my prereq's to get into a LPN program. I was told that if the crime had nothing to do with the care of patients then I had nothing to worry about, is this true, or it does matter?

Yes, most definately! I'm going through the motions right now as we speak. I graduated from nursing school in December 2004 and I was told no news is good news by the school in reference to the application process. not true. all of my calssmates started getting their clearance to test and now have their licenses and I don't because I was never notified that the BON needed certified documents about my past convictions I informed the BON of the past previously,but I am required to send all certified dispositions and an individual statement of each account Who,why when and where and everything has to be notorized or sealed by the court. so do not believe the hype if you have a felony and have completed all the requirements start obtaining all your court documents, have them stamped w/state seal and keep them in your records until its time for you to apply the State Board your requesting the license from. Good Luck to you and keep your head up the past is the past. :)

Sirena922 · Mar 22, 2005

I truly appreciate your response. I just got cleared of probation on the 14th of this month, last week. I got a probation clearance, I paid all my stuff early for this reason exactly. Tell me this, what else will I need besides this probation clearance. And I was told I would have to write something of this incident. Can you fill me in on what other paperwork is required? Such as what are you trying to get from the courts?? :uhoh21: :crying2:

Yes, most definately! I'm going through the motions right now as we speak. I graduated from nursing school in December 2004 and I was told no news is good news by the school in reference to the application process. not true. all of my calssmates started getting their clearance to test and now have their licenses and I don't because I was never notified that the BON needed certified documents about my past convictions I informed the BON of the past previously,but I am required to send all certified dispositions and an individual statement of each account Who,why when and where and everything has to be notorized or sealed by the court. so do not believe the hype if you have a felony and have completed all the requirements start obtaining all your court documents, have them stamped w/state seal and keep them in your records until its time for you to apply the State Board your requesting the license from. Good Luck to you and keep your head up the past is the past. :)

Speculating · Mar 22, 2005

I already have my RN license but i am currently not working. I was wondering if anyone knows when you have a criminal record expunged does anything show up when the hospitals do a background check for employment? My lawyer says that the FBI will always be able to find out things about your past but after it is expunged it is removed from public view. Right now the only thing that shows up is my arrest record, I have to wait until my probation is over to have it expunged. Also, will it show up to the BON when I renew my license? Thanks for any help.

Since you all ready have your license unless this problem rose after you received your license it shouldn't be a problem at renewal. In the state of Florida they only ask at renewal if you have gained any felonies in the past two years. Although felony or not a narcotic situation would give me reason to worry. Listen to the lawyer that's his job, and if your that worried run a background check on yourself.

mattsmom81 · Mar 22, 2005

The laws are differens in each state, every BON has its own ways of dealing with there things, and every employer as well. As a general rule, nurse employers, particularly hospitals, hold nurses to an exceptionally high standard.

All potential and current nurses with criminal records would be wise to investigate themselves, from an employer standpoint(as well as BON) in their own locales, not coming to a BB. Nobody knows your specific answers unless they've been through it in your own area. You can call your state BON's anonymously and ask a question, and you can also run your own background check for a fee via internet search engines.

Bottom line, nurse employers tend to dislike criminal records as well as credit problems and bad references, so you need to know what background check search is done in your area. If a Group One type service is used (3rd party collector of info), data from former employers will be there as well.

Knowledge is power: know what is on your background check info so you can take control of the interview and not have it be a 'surprise'...some employers can be quite understanding about mistakes in the past.

Good luck to the OP. I hope it really is expunged and won't be a problem, but be prepared.

Tnichelle · Mar 23, 2005

I truly appreciate your response. I just got cleared of probation on the 14th of this month, last week. I got a probation clearance, I paid all my stuff early for this reason exactly. Tell me this, what else will I need besides this probation clearance. And I was told I would have to write something of this incident. Can you fill me in on what other paperwork is required? Such as what are you trying to get from the courts?? :uhoh21:

I was reading some other responses on this matter and someone brought a good point. we need to a background check on ourselves from an employers standpoint, because every BON is different in each state. first off you need to get:date, charge, sentence, and disposition certified by the courts. you can go to the highway patrol in your state and request a background on yourself for a small fee in my state its $5 for a search based off your name, date of birth and social. or you can pay $14. for a search based off Fingerprints but you have to provide the fingerprints. that way we'll have the same documents as the BON. :)

sleepless in norman · Mar 23, 2005

Follow the advice of your attorney, keep your past just that, your past, the more your ask advice outside of your legal counsel, the more people know of your, your past then becomes your present and future, get it.