Bad Credit...I,m so embarrassed!!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2006

Bad credit is nothing to be ashamed of. After all, good people make mistakes or fall short of the creditor's expectations of repayments. Nowadays, potential employers are performing credit checks on applicants because they claim that employees with good credit histories have fulfilled their obligations in the past to creditors, so they'll probably fulfill their obligations in the future at the workplace.

Sheri257 · Dec 14, 2006

I can't speak to your chances of being hired but, the best thing you can do about bad credit is to pay every single bill, on time, without fail. If you can, pay old debts also. Even if you can't pay them off entirely, it always looks better if you've paid something rather than nothing.

Bad credit is more damaging when it's recent. Old bad credit doesn't matter as much.

:typing

LV2BME · Dec 14, 2006

You can also put an explanation on your credit report. When I was a branch manager for a bank, I would pull credit on applicants. If I saw an explanation, I was more likely to pull them in for an interview and give them a chance to explain. Everyone makes mistakes and bad decisions, and things happen beyond our control it's what you do with "the negatives" that counts!!!!

australianrn · Dec 14, 2006

I have never heard of an RN having a credit check prior to employment - that is a complete breach of a persons privacy IMO. Maybe its common in your country but it is not done here in Australia.

Good luck "fixing" your credit rating, I was able to fix mine up. After an expensive divorce and serious health problems ( no work for 6 months ) I ended up with a bad credit rating, that was 4 years ago. I slowly paid off all the debt and began saving, and just today I was approved for a car loan ! I feel such a lot of relief and I am sure with time and determination you can fix up your credit. Its definately fixable.

Good luck

AdobeRN · Dec 14, 2006

When I first applied at a correctional facility they told me up front they would be doing an extensive background check with included a credit check.

Before they did they check they had me fill out this 20 page document - it had crazy questions very detailed questions -some of the questions were - have you ever declared bankruptcy and why? Have you ever had a traffic ticket? Have you ever been involved in a accident? Ever been around anyone doing drugs? Have you ever done drugs, if so what & how consumed? Do you have tattoos - if so, please list what they are and where they are located? Do you know anybody in jail/prison - if so who and where are they located? Etc, Etc.

When my background check came back, it was about 50 pages - I was quite surprised what info was on it - it is amazing what the government knows about us. It even had info about my parents and brother on it.

BSNinTX · Dec 18, 2006

I am a BOP nurse, so I speak from experience.

When I applied, they ran my credit before I could even interview. Chances are good that if you have bad credit, you won't even be allowed into the facility to interview, let alone be hired.

We have trouble recruiting correctional officers because of credit issues. The simple fact is that if someone has credit problems, they are at risk for coopting by an inmate. Money is the easiest way to corrupt someone. It's happened where I am, in my own department with a contract worker, so I know.

With that said, you may be okay. Check with the facility's HR people, they can give you direction. Let me also say very clearly that if hired, they will be looking into every bit of your life. They will dig out all of the dirty laundry. Every instance of trouble of any kind, any misstep, anything at all. They will interview your friends and family, they will talk to you neighbors, they will talk to your ex-husband. Be aware that this is coming, and decide if it's worth it for you.

What facility are you considering?

:scrying:
Hey everybody!!!
I went to this job fair for the bureau of prisons yesterday. Well, I really don't even know what the interveiw process entails, but they tell me to meet them at their home base tomorrow. So I went today to see what this was all about and could see myself working there. It is a federal medical prison hospital. Well, to make a long story short I live a very simple life style, have two kids, a 21 year old and a teenager, married and really try to uphold the law. The problem is I went bandrupt, I was a single mom when the debts were acrued and there is a bad debt on my credit report stating that I owe 3400.00 dollars on my car!!!
I didn't realize this and I owe taxes from last year $1600.00. To sum things up, does anybody work as a bop nurse and if so, what are my chances of being hired??? I just graduated last year as a nurse and and am trying to fix my credit. Believe me I am so ashamed of this whole credit thing!!

Sheri257 · Dec 18, 2006

We have trouble recruiting correctional officers because of credit issues. The simple fact is that if someone has credit problems, they are at risk for coopting by an inmate. Money is the easiest way to corrupt someone. It's happened where I am, in my own department with a contract worker, so I know.

I figured that was the reason for it. Thankfully, my credit is clean now ... seven years of payments and all the bad stuff is gone.

For better or worse, a lot of private employers are now running credit checks also.

:typing

bethin · Dec 18, 2006

You can also put an explanation on your credit report. When I was a branch manager for a bank, I would pull credit on applicants. If I saw an explanation, I was more likely to pull them in for an interview and give them a chance to explain. Everyone makes mistakes and bad decisions, and things happen beyond our control it's what you do with "the negatives" that counts!!!!

Exactly. Last year at work we were extremely slow (5 pts on med surg when we hold 30). I got alot of low census and with my medical history I just could not afford to pay for my medications ($300 with insurance). Plus, I was in the hospital for several weeks without pay. So, I had no choice but put med bills on a credit card. That stacked up pretty quickly and I could not make the minimum payments but yet I still needed my meds. I called the credit card company and explained. Luckily, they were understanding and my credit history is still excellent.

If it's an old debt I wouldn't see it as a big of a problem as a recent debt. Thank God that's all paid off now. Have you tried talking to a credit counselor? I've heard good things about them and I hear that it doesn't go on your credit history if you go to one. My feeling is as long as you are trying (and it sounds like you are) that is to be commended and not to be look down upon. Maybe trying to make payment arrangements? Even $20 a month is better than nothing. Also, be up front with them. Honesty is better than trying to cover up. Simply state that you were very young with a child. You are older now and have matured.

It's a catch 22: if you have bad credit with alot of debt, you want to work to pay off the bills but yet when employers do credit checks it could mean a difference btw hire an no hire.

Do credit companies, employers, etc look at student loans? By the time I'm done with school I'll be out $60,000. I think it's unfair to look at that because it is education and there's power in that.

Good luck!!!!

bethin · Dec 18, 2006

When I applied, they ran my credit before I could even interview. Chances are good that if you have bad credit, you won't even be allowed into the facility to interview, let alone be hired.
We have trouble recruiting correctional officers because of credit issues. The simple fact is that if someone has credit problems, they are at risk for coopting by an inmate. Money is the easiest way to corrupt someone. It's happened where I am, in my own department with a contract worker, so I know.

That makes sense. But how far back do they go? I can see if it was a recent credit issue but what about issues that are 5 or 6 years old?

mvanz9999, RN · Dec 18, 2006

They will go back as far as your credit goes. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years. And when you are talking about law enforcement type jobs, they will go back as far as the record.

I applied to the PD, and they did do all of this. I think the best thing you can do is be honest and upfront about it. I was told they were not only looking at your background, but whether or not you are being honest about it.

Sheri257 · Dec 18, 2006

Generally most credit goes back seven years, then it's dropped from the credit report. However, bankruptcies stay on the report for 10 years.

:typing