Bankruptcy and Jobs

jennjen512 · Sep 11, 2011

I am not, by any means, saying that bankruptcy should be a first option. I tried everything to pay the debt but it simply wasn't possible. My situation was a bit extreme. My ex-husband ran up my credit cards without my knowledge and even opend some credit cards in my name and wiped out my checking and savings account. I tried to file a claim of fraud with the credit companies and the local police, but they said since it was my husband I had no recourse. I filed for divorce and my ex then ran off and started playing with some guys on the street and got involved in drugs. On top of all of this, someone at the hospital found out what my husband was doing and turned me in to the board of nursing. I was investigated and eventually vindicated by the board because I had not done anything wrong. Bankruptcy was my last option. I tried everything else that I knew.

Plus I never said I got a new car, i said i got a car. As in a $5000 car. And the credit cards, 2 with a limit of $200 each. I had to leave town because of what was going on with my husband. There was a fear that he was going to come and find me. I got the credit cards as a just in case since I was leaving town and everyone that I knew. I haven't even used them yet, but they are there in case I need them.

OCNRN63, RN · Sep 11, 2011

If you couldn't afford to pay your bills, how could you afford a car plus credit cards? See, as a taxpayer, that cost me, and everyone else here. I can understand it must have been frustrating if someone racked up bills in your name that you couldn't pay, but it penalizes everyone else while you get to walk away.

Edited to remove "new" car.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Sep 11, 2011

I am not, by any means, saying that bankruptcy should be a first option. I tried everything to pay the debt but it simply wasn't possible. My situation was a bit extreme. My ex-husband ran up my credit cards without my knowledge and even opend some credit cards in my name and wiped out my checking and savings account. I tried to file a claim of fraud with the credit companies and the local police, but they said since it was my husband I had no recourse. I filed for divorce and my ex then ran off and started playing with some guys on the street and got involved in drugs. On top of all of this, someone at the hospital found out what my husband was doing and turned me in to the board of nursing. I was investigated and eventually vindicated by the board because I had not done anything wrong. Bankruptcy was my last option. I tried everything else that I knew.
Plus I never said I got a new car, i said i got a car. As in a $5000 car. And the credit cards, 2 with a limit of $200 each. I had to leave town because of what was going on with my husband. There was a fear that he was going to come and find me. I got the credit cards as a just in case since I was leaving town and everyone that I knew. I haven't even used them yet, but they are there in case I need them.

You case is an extreme, I hope your choice in men will change and you will monitor your credit cards. You did not choose to further your nursing education on the taxpayers dime, like the original poster stated.

Isabelle49 · Sep 11, 2011

I have never known a hospital to do a credit check on an applicant. A bank, yes. Well, the bank I worked at as a recruiter did not do credit checks, so go figure. You have to do what you have to do, if you can't pay the bills, and many can't then what else can you do. Whether you walk away from your creditors or file bankruptcy you will be affected. Don't let a credit check worry you when applying for a job as an LPN or RN or even a CNA. Best wishes for success.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2011

You need to speak to some attorneys. Educate yourself about all options, including bankruptcy. Knowledge is power.

Do NOT discuss your troubles with just the first person who answers the phone at your creditors' offices. Get the boss. The big boss. Go in person if possible. Make them do right by you. I am sick to death of how people let themselves be walked on. Communicate via certified mail, not just by phone calls.

Redesign yourself. Pretend you're Gloria Allred and hit them hard.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2011

i am not, by any means, saying that bankruptcy should be a first option. i tried everything to pay the debt but it simply wasn't possible. my situation was a bit extreme. my ex-husband ran up my credit cards without my knowledge and even opend some credit cards in my name and wiped out my checking and savings account. i tried to file a claim of fraud with the credit companies and the local police, but they said since it was my husband i had no recourse...

i hope you contact some lawyers. never mind what police say and what credit companies say. they are not the legal experts here. don't give them that much credit. get some advice from lawyers - at least 3.

seems to me that someone using your name has done something illegal, be if fraud, forgery, robbery, not sure what. but i know it is illegal to go using someone else's name, spouse or not.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2011

I made an account to reply to you. :)
My hubby and I filed BK 18 months ago. We were swimming in credit card debt. During the process, I was TERRIFIED, but now, I can not tell you how liberated the entire process has been. No more calls, no more harrassing, no more worry.
I have applied for two jobs since and gotten them both. Usually, the only time an employer is really concerned if you filed is when you deal with money (or manage your patient's money...)
And as far as your credit, mine only dropped 100 points and it is all ready back up 50. I just bought a car with 2% interest. I get AT LEAST 20 credit card offers in the mail a week. And I qualify for a mortgage.
SO, don't sweat it. I promise, it will be the fresh start you need.

50? not 500?

I'm not sure how you can so breezily promise her how it will turn out for her. I think it's irresponsible of you to do that.

elkpark · Sep 11, 2011

I have never known a hospital to do a credit check on an applicant. A bank, yes. Well, the bank I worked at as a recruiter did not do credit checks, so go figure. You have to do what you have to do, if you can't pay the bills, and many can't then what else can you do. Whether you walk away from your creditors or file bankruptcy you will be affected. Don't let a credit check worry you when applying for a job as an LPN or RN or even a CNA. Best wishes for success.

There are several threads here about how a growing number of healthcare employers are doing credit checks on potential employees, in additional to the criminal background checks. It is apparently a growing trend in business (across the board, not just healthcare, but including healthcare) to consider potential employees with bad credit as bad risks. There was a piece on NPR about this as a national trend just recently.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Sep 11, 2011

I had to give permission for a credit check for the position I just accepted. I was told they use it as part of a "character assessment" and it bears weight equally with personal references.

If my credit were less than stellar, I'd start working on credit repair ideas. It is tough enough to get a job in this market without those kind of black marks. Good luck.

FinallyRNStatus, BSN · Jan 15, 2015

Thank you for your informative post RNinthemaking1986. I was wondering if employers were allowed to check your credit if the application only requested consent to perform a criminal background check. I've been waiting to file bankruptcy for 4 years because I knew it might make me ineligible for private loans while in nursing school.

Katie71275 · Jan 15, 2015

I filed while in nursing school. I had.no trouble with getting a job and no one ever asked me about it

figureskating · Aug 13, 2015

I'm currently thinking about bankruptcy and accidently found this thread. I know it's old but I just wanted to say, why is everyone so harsh and rude when it comes to that? All of you people talking bad about people who file bankruptcy are being judgmental as if you've never made a mistake in your life and assuming that all people who file bankruptcy are irresponsible. I have good credit and pay all my bills but so many things have happened and every time I think there could be a small hope of paying things off something else happens to set me back in life. I would say that bankruptcy is more responsible then just letting all your bills go into collections and doing nothing about it. And by the way the government does not pay the debts of people who file bankruptcy. The lenders do not get paid anything unless it's a chapter 13 filing and in that case the debtor does make payments back to the lenders on a payment plan. The government does not pay that.